According to the team’s MLB.com transactions record, the Red Sox have signed free agent infielder Joe Dunand to a minor-league contract. Dunand has been assigned to Triple-A Worcester, however it is unknown if the agreement includes an invitation to major-league spring training.
Dunand, 28, is Alex Rodriguez’s nephew, the former star of the Yankees. The Miami native made his major league debut in May 2022 after being originally chosen by the Marlins out of North Carolina State in the second round of the 2017 amateur draft.
Dunand, who saw action at second and third base throughout his three Fish games, finished 3-for-10 with one double, one home run, one RBI, two runs scored, and three strikeouts. After making his debut, the right-handed hitter was designated for assignment. The Braves promptly claimed him off waivers, but he has not played in the major leagues since.
Rather, Dunand played the whole 2023 season with Atlanta’s Triple-A affiliate in Gwinnett after being immediately cut from the Braves’ 40-man roster. Before being granted free agency, he played for the Stripers for 95 games (403 plate appearances) and batted.268/.362/.481 with 19 doubles, two triples, 17 home runs, 52 RBIs, 49 runs scored, three stolen bases, 45 walks, and 107 strikeouts.
Dunand is a lifetime in its entirety.238/.318/.383 hitter in 519 career minor-league games (2,057 plate appearances), with 97 doubles, 51 home runs, 224 runs scored, 13 stolen bases, 178 walks, and 541 strikeouts. This contains 249 Triple-A games with a slash line of.233/.325/.407 in them.
Throughout his professional career, Dunand has started games at first base, second base, third base, shortstop, and left field from a defensive position. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound player played 299 1/3 innings at first base, 263 2/3 innings at third base, and 47 1/3 innings in left field with Gwinnett the previous season. At DH, he also made 23 starts.
Dunand, who won’t be 29 until September, should give the Red Sox some veteran depth at infield and outfield at Worcester come playoff time. If he is ever needed in Boston in 2024, the fact that he still has two minor-league options may strengthen his case.
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