NewsGreen, Gathright file for free agency
Shortstop, outfielder reject Triple-A assignments
By Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com
11/11/09 12:33 PM EST
After being taken off the 40-man roster by the Red Sox this month, shortstop Nick Green and outfielder Joey Gathright rejected an outright to Triple-A Pawtucket and decided to file for free agency instead.
The two can still return to Boston, but now have the opportunity to sign with other teams, as well.
Green batted .236 with six home runs and 35 RBIs in 103 games for the Red Sox this season while committing 14 errors in 81 games at shortstop -- good for a .956 fielding percentage. Boston is in need of some insurance at the position, with Jed Lowrie's injury history and after it declined the $6 million club option on Alex Gonzalez's contract.
Green, 31, underwent back surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital on Monday, according to The Boston Globe.
The speedy Gathright, 28, was acquired from the Orioles in late August, and he appeared in 17 games for the Red Sox this past season, batting .313 (5-for-16) with one stolen base.
Alden Gonzalez is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
