Story by
Former Red Sox Bobby Dalbec returns; ‘There’s no hard feelings’
- Story by
- Former Red Sox Bobby Dalbec returns; ‘There’s no hard feelings’
BOSTON — Former Red Sox Bobby Dalbec is not only back in the big leagues but he's in a familiar spot for one day.
"Funny thing that it's here," Dalbec said Monday in the visitors dugout here at Fenway Park.
Advertisement
The White Sox — who signed Dalbec to a minor league deal in the offseason — promoted him from Triple-A Charlotte on Monday to take former Red Sox prospect Chase Meidroth 's spot on the 26-man roster. Chicago placed Meidroth on the 10-day IL with right thumb inflammation.
To make room for Dalbec on the 40-man roster, Chicago placed former Red Sox pitcher Martín Pérez on the 60-day injured list.
"Great memories (here)," Dalbec said. "Some of my lifelong friends, best friends and people I call family. So it's cool to be back and competing against them."
Dalbec's tenure with Boston was filled with highs and lows. The 2016 Red Sox fourth round pick made the majors during the shortened 2020 COVID season when Red Sox players used the suites here at Fenway instead of the clubhouse. Dalbec — who shared a suite with Andrew Benintendi (also now a member of the White Sox) — belted eight homers and posted a .959 OPS in 23 games (92 plate appearances) after a promotion in late August.
Advertisement
He had a decent year in 2021 after he struggled mightily during the first two months. He finished with 25 home runs and a .792 OPS in 133 games (453 plate appearances).
But he lost his starting first base job during a disappointing 2022 season. He batted just .198 with a .269 on-base percentage, .330 slugging percentage and .599 OPS in 175 games (499 plate appearances) for Boston from 2022-24. He spent most of the 2023 and 2024 seasons with Triple-A Worcester .
He said all the good memories here "outweigh the bad ones."
"There's no hard feelings or any of that stuff," Dalbec said. "I love everybody here and I wish 'em all the best."
Advertisement
He said it's surreal for his first game back in the big leagues to be at Fenway on Marathon Monday . Dalbec received word of his promotion after playing in Charlotte's day game Sunday. His flight here got delayed two hours. He didn't arrive until about 1-1:30 a.m. ahead of today's early 11:10 a.m. Patriots' Day start.
"It's a weird feeling being on this side," Dalbec said. "Driving in and everything, I'm used to going in over there. But it's fun to be back."
He described his time with the White Sox organization so far as "awesome." Playing for Chicago manager Will Venable — his bench coach here in Boston — attracted Dalbec to the White Sox during free agency.
"It's different," he said. "Obviously had been with Boston for a long time. New faces and everything but there's really good people over here and I'm excited for the opportunity."
Advertisement
Dalbec didn't receive much opportunity last year (37 games) for Boston, which ended up designating him for assignment Sept.8.
"Just I didn't know what the deal was or what they wanted my role to be and all that stuff," Dalbec said. "But looking back on it now, I wish I didn't think about that stuff as much as I did because it's all about playing and being ready for the game and trying to eliminate those things outta my mind which I was not very good at the last couple years. I've worked hard at that stuff and just making it about the game and playing and (about the) teammates."
