The Boston Red Sox were one of the most active teams over the offseason, having made over a dozen trades. They mostly souped-up their roster with new infielders and starting pitchers, but they also traded away some excessive depth in a smaller move that may have flown under some fans' radar.
Boston on December 9 traded infielder Vaughn Grissom to the Los Angeles Angels Angels in exchange for outfield prospect Isaiah Jackson. Grissom played just 31 for the Red Sox over his two years with the team after the Atlanta Braves swapped him for Chris Sale, mostly because his first year in the organization was marred by injuries.
Grissom sustained a groin strain during spring training 2024, which kept him sidelined until early May, when he debuted for Boston. Less than a month later, he strained a hamstring and landed back on the injured list.
His tenure with the Angels is beginning much the same way. Grissom had the inside track to a spot on Anaheim's Opening Day roster since he's out of minor league options and he's clocked a .629 OPS over 11 Cactus League games. Unfortunately for the infielder, his Angels debut could be in danger.
Former Red Sox infielder Vaughn Grissom injures hand just as he was making a case for the Angels' Opening Day roster
Grissom prematurely left the Angels' March 11 spring training game against the Chicago White Sox with a sore hand. He led off the game for LA and reportedly injured his hand on one of his swings. CBS Sports reports that he may be considered day-to-day, which means he won't be placed on the injured list.
If Grissom's injury is more serious than the Angels think and he ends up on the IL, it would be an unfortunate start to the rest of his big league career outside of Boston and Atlanta. The 25-year-old hasn't seen big league action since 2024, despite deserving a shot to re-join the Red Sox in the second half of last season — with no more options on his contract, he's running out of chances to prove himself a capable major leaguer.
The early reports make Grissom's injury seem minor. Even if he needs a few days to heal, the Angels could still place him on the major league roster to start the season, since they knew he was out of minor league options when they traded for him. If he needs an IL stint, his Angels career will begin all too similarly to his Red Sox one.