Ex-Red Sox Utility Man Reportedly Signs With Diamondbacks After Short Stint With Club

Arizona added a former Red Sox utility man to a minor-league deal

The Arizona Diamondbacks are making depth moves. 

Arizona reportedly signed former Boston Red Sox utility man Yairo Munoz recently to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training, according to the MiLB Transaction log. 

Munoz began his professional career with the Oakland Athletic's Dominican Summer League club as a 17-year-old in 2012 and eventually made his Major League Baseball debut with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2018. After two seasons in St. Louis, the Red Sox signed Munoz ahead of the 2020 campaign to a minor league deal and he spent parts of two seasons in Boston. 

The 28-year-old's time in Boston was short-lived. Munoz appeared in just 17 games across the 2020 and 2021 campaigns and slashed .286/.286/.429 in the small sample size. The utility man played a larger role with the Worcester Red Sox and shined in 88 games. Munoz slashed .308/.341/.444 and clubbed eight home runs to go along with 36 RBIs, 16 doubles, and 18 stolen bases. 

Munoz signed a minor league deal with the Philadelphia Phillies ahead of the 2022 campaign and appeared in 29 games. The 28-year-old slashed .211/.250/.404 during his time with the Phillies and now moves on to Arizona. 

While he may not play a major role with the Diamondbacks in 2023, Arizona may be a spot Munoz can find some playing time next season. The Diamondbacks finished 78-84 in 2022 and likely will be in a similar spot in 2023 -- especially because they play in the same division as World Series hopefuls like the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres. 

Munoz can play all around the diamond and saw time at second base, third base, left field, right field, and designated hitter in his short stint with Philadelphia last season. 

He likely doesn't change the landscape for the Diamondbacks in 2023, but who knows, maybe we will see a lot of him if he's able to make the club out of spring training. 

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