The Boston Red Sox haven’t gotten off to the best start this season. Boston enters a weekend series with the Baltimore Orioles with a 25-26 record and six games back of the New York Yankees in the American League East, but there are others that would be fortunate to be in their position.
That includes some former players who could be on the ropes after a slow start to the year. One former Red Sox slugger found a hard time away from Boston and was kicked to the curb by an American League rival on Friday.
Former Red Sox OF Hunter Renfroe Designated for Assignment by Royals
The Kansas City Royals announced on Friday that they have designated outfielder Hunter Renfroe for assignment. The 33-year-old was in his second season with the Royals but was having a dreadful start to the year, hitting .182/.241/.242 with no home runs and four RBI in 35 games.
We have made the following roster moves: pic.twitter.com/w0uXq9VqHP
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) May 23, 2025
It’s a far cry from what Renfroe can be when he’s on his game. He had one of the best seasons of his career with the Red Sox in 2021, posting a career-high 2.4 wins above replacement while hitting .259/.315/.501 with 31 home runs and 96 RBI but has spent the four seasons bouncing around the majors as a mercenary bat.
The approach worked well when Renfroe hit .255/.315/.492 with 29 home runs and 72 RBI with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2022, but it hasn’t worked out over the past three years, hitting .226/.292/.389 with 35 home runs and 116 RBI over 162 games with the Los Angeles Angels, Cincinnati Reds and Royals.
Renfroe could still get an opportunity with an offensive-starved team but a reunion with the Red Sox is unlikely. With Roman Anthony waiting in the pipeline, Boston could turn to its own reinforcements if disaster strikes, leaving Renfroe looking for another spot to revive his career.