Former Boston Purple Sox outfielder Rob Refsnyder has retired, per MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart. This got here on the heels of the Houston Astros’ waiver declare of outfielder Nelson Velazquez.
McTaggart dropped the information on X in response to Houston radio host Jeremy Branham, who questioned the Velazquez declare. The Astros had been near inking the previous Purple Sox, in accordance with the Astros beat author, however he elected retirement as an alternative.
Refsnyder, 35, performed for the Purple Sox between 2022 and 2025. He performed primarily as a right-handed platoon bat, serving as a key bat off the bench towards left-handed pitching. Over that stretch, he slashed .276/.364/.440 with 27 dwelling runs.
Maybe extra spectacular was his capability to destroy left-handed pitching. With the Purple Sox, Refsnyder hit .312 with 19 dwelling runs and a 155 wRC+ throughout 501 plate appearances. In all 4 seasons, he produced at the least a 135 mark when holding the platoon benefit.
Robert Refsnyder’s 2026 Season Recap
Former Purple Sox outfielder Rob Refsnyder has retired after leaving the Purple Sox in free company. (Photograph by Olivia Vanni/Getty Pictures)
Refsnyder left the Purple Sox in free company following the 2025 season. He signed a one-year, $6.25 million cope with the Seattle Mariners. The deal didn’t work out, because the 35-year-old hit simply .140 earlier than the Mariners lower ties.
Refsnyder was formally launched on August 4 after the membership acquired Taylor Ward from the Baltimore Orioles in a commerce.
The Purple Sox added extra right-handed thump to their lineup. Their largest transfer was buying All-Star slugger Willson Contreras from the St. Louis Cardinals to man first base. In addition they swung a commerce with the Milwaukee Brewers so as to add infielders Caleb Durbin, Andruw Monasterio, and Anthony Seigler.
All these strikes have labored out properly for the Purple Sox. Regardless of a three-game shedding streak, they’re firmly in American League East competition and have a wholesome cushion within the Wild Card race.
Boston was considering including an outfield bat from the precise facet. Nevertheless, the membership elected to focus on Eli White and Jahmai Jones so as to add to their bench as an alternative. That implies the Purple Sox won’t take a flyer on the veteran.
It’s doable that Refsnyder selected to not pursue any alternatives. Given his 2026 monitor report, he was possible going to must grind by means of a minor league stint once more for an additional shot at an enormous league function.
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