The Boston Red Sox designated first baseman Nathaniel Lowe and right-hander Josh Winckowski for assignment on Tuesday to clear space on their 40-man roster ahead of the Rule 5 Draft deadline. The moves accompanied a trade acquiring utility infielder Tristan Gray from the Tampa Bay Rays and several other transactions.
Boston began its offseason roster adjustments by designating veteran first baseman Nathaniel Lowe and right-hander Josh Winckowski for assignment on Tuesday, just hours before the deadline to finalize 40-man rosters for next month's Rule 5 Draft. The designation of Lowe opened a spot for Tristan Gray, acquired from the Rays in exchange for right-handed reliever Luis Guerrero, whom Boston had previously designated for assignment on November 6.
Lowe, signed by the Red Sox after his release by the Washington Nationals, provided short-term help at first base following Triston Casas' left patellar tendon rupture on May 2, which sidelined him for the rest of 2025. In 34 games with Boston, Lowe hit .280/.370/.420 with six doubles, one triple, two home runs, and 16 RBIs in 100 at-bats. However, with Casas expected to return in 2026 and the team eyeing power additions at first base or designated hitter, Lowe no longer fit. Projected for a $13.5 million arbitration salary, he is a likely non-tender candidate ahead of Friday's deadline.
Winckowski, 27, appeared in six Major League games for Boston in 2025 with a 3.86 ERA before a right elbow flexor strain placed him on the 60-day injured list on June 7, ending his season. He posted a 2.21 ERA with 18 strikeouts in five Minor League outings. Having exhausted his options and qualifying for arbitration at around $800,000, his future with the team remains uncertain.
The Red Sox also executed three other trades: sending left-hander Brennan Bernardino to the Colorado Rockies for Minor League outfielder Braiden Ward; dealing left-hander Chris Murphy to the Chicago White Sox for Minor League catcher Ronny Hernandez; and trading Minor League right-hander Alex Hoppe to the Seattle Mariners for Minor League catcher Luke Heyman. Additionally, left-hander Shane Drohan and right-handers David Sandlin and Tyler Uberstine were added to the 40-man roster from Triple-A Worcester.
Gray, a 29-year-old left-handed hitter and 2017 13th-round pick, played 30 games for the Rays in 2025, batting .231 with five doubles, three home runs, and nine RBIs while seeing time at second base, shortstop, third base, and first base. He has 47 career Major League games across multiple teams.