Red Sox Claim Veteran Catcher Off Waivers from Kansas City Royals

The Boston Red Sox Sunday claimed catcher Erik Kratz off waivers from the Kansas City Royals. Executive Vice President/General Manager Ben Cherington made the announcement.

Kratz, 35, was designated for assignment on June 11 following a stint on the 15-day disabled list due to plantar fasciitis. The right-handed batter appeared in four games for Kansas City this season, making one start. At the plate, he was hitless in four at-bats with one RBI on a sacrifice fly. In 15 games for Triple-A Omaha this season, he has hit .214 (12-for-62) with seven runs, two doubles, four homers, 12 RBI, and five walks.

A veteran of parts of six major league seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates (2010), Philadelphia Phillies (2011-13), Toronto Blue Jays (2004), and Royals (2014-15), Kratz is a career .217 (107-for-492) hitter with 21 doubles, 23 homers, 67 RBI, and 35 walks in 180 games. The native of Harrisonburg, VA, he was originally signed as a 29th round selection in the 2002 June Draft by the Blue Jays.

With this move, the Red Sox' 40-man roster is now at 39.