The Boston Red Sox announced a roster move on Thursday during their day off. After taking the first game in their recent series against the Blue Jays, Boston ended up losing the series after consecutive losses, and is now 12-19 this season, and remains in last place in the American League East. April is over, and the calendar will turn to May tomorrow when the Red Sox open a series with the Houston Astros.
However, on Thursday, the Red Sox announced a roster move on three-year MLB utilityman Nate Eaton. It’s expected to clear the way for Jake Bennett to be recalled on Friday.
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Nate Eaton Optioned to Triple-A on Thursday
GettySAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 22: Nate Eaton #40 of the Boston Red Sox is charged with an error after dropping the ball when colliding with Jarren Duran #16 against the San Francisco Giants in the bottom of the third inning at Oracle Park on June 22, 2025 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Boston Red Sox social media team wrote (on April 30):
“The #RedSox today optioned INF/OF Nate Eaton to Triple-A Worcester.”
Several reports, including MassLive.com’s Chris Cotillo, mention that it will clear the way for Jake Bennett.
Chris Cotillo wrote (on April 30):
“Nate Eaton was optioned back to Worcester, clearing the way for Jake Bennett to start tomorrow.”
Nate Eaton did not receive a single at-bat for the Red Sox while up with the club.
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Nate Eaton’s MLB Career
GettyKANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – AUGUST 14: Right fielder Nate Eaton #18 of the Kansas City Royals catches a ball hit by Trea Turner of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fourth inning at Kauffman Stadium on August 14, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
Nate Eaton recorded 81 at-bats with the Red Sox in 2025 and hit .296 with one home run and 4 RBI. The 29-year-old has never flashed power in his three-year MLB career.
He was previously with the Kansas City Royals, but didn’t impress much there either. He did not appear in MLB in 2024 before joining the Red Sox.
It’s unclear what the Red Sox future plans with Nate Eaton are if he’s just going to stay in the minors. It could almost make sense to try to trade him for cash or at least a low-level prospect, but you never know when Boston may need a fill-in outfielder or third baseman.
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Who is Jake Bennett?
Because of the recent Garrett Crochet injury news, the Red Sox are bringing up prospect Jake Bennett, who is a southpaw like Crochet.
MLB writer Jackson Roberts wrote (on April 29):
“It was easy enough to predict that Triple-A left-hander Jake Bennett would be the man to replace Crochet in the short term. Not only has he been the Worcester Red Sox’s most consistent starter so far this season, but he was scratched from his scheduled outing against the Rochester Red Wings on Tuesday, making it apparent that something was up with the major league roster.”
The Red Sox traded for Jake Bennett back in December with the Washington Nationals in an under-the-radar move. Bennett joins a long list of Red Sox lefty prospects to recently debut, along with Connelly Early and Payton Tolle.
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Red Sox Announce Notable Roster Move on 3-Year MLB Player to Open Spot for Jake Bennett