The Red Sox have signed Alex Rodriguez’s nephew Joe Dunand to a minor league deal and assigned him to Triple-A Worcester, according to the MiLB.com transaction log.
Dunand, a 28-year-old infielder, made his major league debut with the Marlins in 2022, going 3-for-10 (.300) with a homer, double and RBI in three games. That’s his only major league experience so far.
Dunand initially was a second round draft pick (51st overall) in 2017 out of North Carolina State. The Miami native batted .268 with a .362 on-base percentage, .481 slugging percentage, .844 OPS, 17 homers, 19 doubles, two triples, 49 runs, 52 RBIs, 45 walks and 107 strikeouts in 95 games (403 plate appearances) for Triple-A Gwinnett last year.
He has started games at shortstop, first base, second base, third base and left field in his professional career. The majority of his playing time in the minors has been at shortstop (209 starts) and first base (192 starts).
He played first base, third base, left field and DH for Gwinnett last season.
The Nationals have signed Richard Bleier to a minor league contract, per source. The 36 year old lefty spent last season with the Boston Red Sox before being DFA’d in August. 3.27 ERA over 8 major league seasons.”
Dave Martinez has joked the last few springs about wanting multiple lefty relievers. This year, they enter the season w/Jose A. Ferrer and Robert García on the 40-man. Both showed flashes of potential in 2023. Bleier gives the Nats more depth w/Joe La Sorsa as well.”
The Red Sox traded Matt Barnes to the Marlins for Bleier in January of 2023 after initially designating Barnes for assignment.
