Franchy Cordero placed on COVID list, Joel Payamps claimed (again) off waivers

The Red Sox had their first full squad workouts on Monday after pitchers and catchers had reported late last week. One player who was missing, however, was the recently acquired Franchy Cordero who had come over from the Royals in the Andrew Benintendi deal. Now we know why he is not there, as the team has placed the outfielder on the COVID-19 related list. Filling his spot on the 40-man roster is Joel Payamps, who has been claimed off waivers less than weeks after being claimed by the Blue Jays from the Red Sox.

To start with Cordero, hopefully he is not experiencing any serious symptoms here, as that obviously has varied pretty wildly person-to-person. We should be clear, too, that we do not know if Cordero has tested positive or if he was in close contact with somebody who tested positive or if there is a test in dispute. The details have not been shared. That said, Cordero is now the second Red Sox player who has been placed on the COVID list already, joining Kevin Plawecki in that regard. The timetable for both is unclear as of now.

As for the other piece of this, Payamps is coming right back to the organization that just let him go. It’s been a whirlwind few months for the righty, having been originally claimed off waivers by the Red Sox back in November. He made it one the roster into February but was designated for assignment by Boston to make room for Garrett Richards and was subsequently claimed by the Blue Jays. Toronto apparently tried to turn around and sneak him through waivers themselves, but the Red Sox took him back. If Payamps does stick around more than a couple weeks, he will likely be slotted to start the year in Worcester and serve as some swingman depth.