Feb 20, 2018 3 min read

The Boston Red Sox have traded outfielder Bryce Brentz to the Pittsburgh Pirates for cash.

The teams made the deal Tuesday.

Brentz played a total of 34 games for Boston in 2014 and 2016, hitting .287 with one home run and nine RBIs. He spent all of last season at Triple-A Pawtucket, hitting 31 homers with 85 RBIs.

The 29-year-old Brentz won the Triple-A All-Star Home Run Derby last July, and has 127 career homers in the minors.

Pittsburgh put right-handed pitcher Nick Burdi on the 60-day disabled list to make roster room for Brentz.

Red Sox welcome J.D. Martinez: The Boston Red Sox didn’t commit $110 million for J.D. Martinez to be a part-timer.

When he lands in the middle of the order, some of the everyday hitters will have to get used to fewer at-bats each week. New manager Alex Cora must navigate the complexities of lineup construction and defensive arrangements while watching for streaks and slumps and maintaining a harmonious and engaged clubhouse.

Ah, what good problems to have. The Red Sox were more than ready for the arrival of Martinez and his 45 home runs in 119 games last season, no matter the minor complications of making room for him.

“He’s definitely a force,” first baseman Mitch Moreland said, “and it’s good to have him on our side.”

After reaching a long-awaited five-year agreement with Martinez on Monday afternoon, the Red Sox took the field on Tuesday morning under picturesque blue skies with the temperature surging into the high 80s. The atmosphere at the beginning of spring training is always sunny, of course, but the news of the big-ticket acquisition gave the second full-squad workout a little extra buzz.

“Having that type of presence in the lineup can make a difference. That’s what he is. He’s a difference-maker,” center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. said.

Because the contract wouldn’t be finalized until a passed physical exam, per standard industry practice, Cora could only speak in hypotheticals about adding such a high-profile, high-impact player to his starting nine.

Cepeda hospitalized: Hall of Famer Orlando Cepeda has been hospitalized in the Bay Area.

The San Francisco Giants said Tuesday the 80-year-old Cepeda had been taken to a hospital late Monday. The team had no further details.

Cepeda has been a regular at Giants home games and attended an 80th birthday event for Hall of Famer Willie McCovey last month.

Cepeda was a first baseman during his 17 big league seasons, beginning with the Giants. He also played for St. Louis, Atlanta, Oakland, Boston and Kansas City.

A seven-time All-Star who played in three World Series, Cepeda was the 1958 NL Rookie of the Year with San Francisco and NL MVP in 1967 with St. Louis. In 1961, he led the NL with 46 homers and 142 RBIs. Cepeda was a .297 career hitter with 379 home runs.

Twins sign Sanchez: The Minnesota Twins have finalized their low-risk contract with right-hander Anibal Sanchez, securing another experienced candidate for their rotation.

Sanchez signed the one-year, non-guaranteed deal on Tuesday before throwing his first bullpen session with the team. Sanchez agreed to terms last week for $2.5 million this season if he makes the major league roster out of spring training, with additional incentives available.

After leading the American League with a 2.57 ERA for Detroit in 2013, Sanchez struggled through the next three seasons for the Tigers while dealing with injuries and being demoted to stints in the bullpen. The 33-year-old Sanchez had a career-worst 6.41 ERA in 2017.