The Red Sox reassigned Alfaro to minor-league camp Monday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.
Though Alfaro possesses more of a track record at the big-league level than either Reese McGuire or Connor Wong, Boston saw both backstops as more ideal options behind the dish than the 29-year-old, who was attending camp as a non-roster invitee. Alfaro's minor-league deal includes an opt-out clause that allowed him to seek out an MLB roster spot elsewhere, but with no better opportunity presenting itself when he canvassed the market, he'll stick around in the Boston organization for now. Expect Alfaro to open the campaign at Triple-A Worcester.
Red Sox's Jorge Alfaro: Has March 25 upward mobility clause
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Alfaro has a March 25 upward mobility clause in his minor-league contract with the Red Sox which would allow him to sign a major-league deal elsewhere if Boston doesn't plan to have him on the Opening Day roster, Chris Cotillo of the Springfield Republican reports.
The Red Sox seem likely to keep Alfaro around, whether that's as Reese McGuire's backup or as a third catcher along with McGuire and Connor Wong. Alfaro can also play first base and the corner outfield spots in a pinch, which helps his chances of sticking on the roster.
Alfaro arrived to spring training Sunday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.
Alfaro was delayed by visa issues that prevented him from reporting last Wednesday. He appeared in 82 games for the Padres in 2022, posting a .668 OPS with seven home runs and 40 RBI. The 29-year-old backstop will compete with Reese McGuire and Connor Wong for one of two spots on the Opening Day roster. His minor-league deal includes opt-outs June 1 and July 1.
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Red Sox's Jorge Alfaro: Delayed by visa issues
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Alfaro has yet to report to spring training due to visa issues, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.
It's not ideal since Alfaro is competing for a roster spot, but he should be in camp before long. The 29-year-old inked a minor-league deal with the Red Sox in January after slashing .246/.285/.383 across 274 plate appearances for the Padres last season. He's competing with Reese McGuire and Connor Wong for at-bats at catcher.
Alfaro signed a minor-league contract with the Red Sox on Monday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.
Alfaro split time behind the plate with Austin Nola in San Diego last season, slashing .246/.285/.383 across 274 plate appearances. Both of Boston's major-league catchers haven't shown to be anything special at the plate either, so there's a chance Alfaro wins a spot this spring.
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Jorge Alfaro: Non-tendered by San Diego
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The Padres declined to tender Alfaro a contract for 2023, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.
As Cassavell notes, Alfaro had five walk-off hits in 2022, so while his time with the Padres was brief, it was memorable. Overall, Alfaro slashed .246/.285/.383 during the regular season -- his third straight season with an OPS south of .670. He's a good athlete for the catcher position, but the strikeouts have been too much for Alfaro to overcome in recent years.
Alfaro (knee) was activated from the 10-day injured list Monday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Since landing on the injured list due to right knee inflammation, Alfaro has bounced back nicely during his rehab stint. He went 4-for-15 with two homers in Triple-A El Paso and will rejoin the Padres ahead of their series against the Diamondbacks.
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Padres' Jorge Alfaro: Hitting well in rehab stint
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Alfaro (knee) has gone 4-for-15 with two home runs and four RBI through four rehab appearances for Triple-A El Paso.
Alfaro began the rehab assignment Sept. 1 and has played four straight days, collecting exactly one hit in each of those contests. The catcher landed on the injured list Aug. 26, with the move backdated to the previous day. That means he could return to the Padres as soon as Monday for the first game of a home series against Arizona.
Alfaro was placed on the 10-day injured list with right knee inflammation Friday, retroactive to Aug. 25.
Alfaro started two of the last three games and went 0-for-8 with five strikeouts. However, he's apparently dealing with a knee issue that will keep him out for at least a week and a half. A timetable for his return isn't yet clear, but Luis Campusano was recalled to provide additional depth behind the plate.
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Padres' Jorge Alfaro: Not in Thursday's lineup
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Alfaro is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Nationals, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.
Alfaro is 4-for-22 in August and will take a seat Thursday for the second straight game. Austin Nola will receive another start behind the plate for the Friars.
Alfaro isn't starting Wednesday against the Marlins, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Alfaro returned from a knee injury Sunday but will head to the bench for the second time in the last three games. Austin Nola is starting behind the plate and batting ninth.
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Padres' Jorge Alfaro: Not starting Monday
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Alfaro isn't in the lineup Monday against the Marlins.
Alfaro returned to action Sunday against Washington after missing a few games with a knee issue and went 1-for-3 with a run. He'll get a day off while Austin Nola starts behind the plate and bats ninth.
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Padres' Jorge Alfaro: Back in action
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Alfaro (knee) is in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Alfaro missed four games with a sore knee, but he is ready to get back behind the plate. He will occupy the ninth spot in the batting order against Nationals starter Paolo Espino.
