The Boston Red Sox traded infielder Enmanuel Valdéz to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for right-handed pitcher Joe Vogatsky, the teams announced Sunday.

Boston designated Valdéz for assignment Wednesday to make room for catcher Carlos Narvaez, whom they acquired in a trade from the New York Yankees.

The Red Sox initially acquired Valdéz at the 2022 deadline, getting him and outfielder Wilyer Abreu in exchange for catcher Christian Vázquez. Although Valdéz didn’t win a Gold Glove and compete for AL Rookie of the Year like Abreu did, he provided some value in his two seasons in Boston.

Valdéz made his MLB debut in 2023, playing in 49 games at the big league level. He hit .266 with six home runs, 19 RBIs, five stolen bases, a .764 OPS and a 0.0 WAR.

The 2024 season didn’t treat Valdéz as kindly, as he hit just .214 with six home runs, 28 RBIs, one stolen base, a .633 OPS and a -0.6 WAR in 76 games. While his -5 defensive runs saved at second base technically marked an improvement over his -6 defensive runs saved in 2023, he still had a below-average campaign in the field.

Valdéz’s splits weren’t as impressive either. After hitting .280 with an .806 OPS against righties in 2023, he hit .237 with a .697 OPS against them in 2024.

Pittsburgh is taking a steal on Valdéz, likely in hopes that he can return to form against right-handed pitchers. He will have to compete for a spot on the team in spring training, against Jared Triolo and Nick Yorke to decide who will replace second baseman Nick Gonzales, shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa and third baseman goal Ke’Bryan Hayes.

Triolo won the Gold Glove for the NL utilities in 2024, while Yorke was one of Boston’s top prospects.

Vogatsky, who turns 23 later this month, is now set to join the Red Sox farm system. He will replace 21-year-old right-hander Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz, whom Boston sent to New York in the Narvaez trade last week.

The Pirates took Vogatsky in the 19th round of the 2024 MLB Draft, although the James Madison product has yet to make his professional debut. While he went 9-9 with a 5.24 ERA, 1.504 WHIP and 9.4 strikeouts per nine innings during his college career, Vogatsky went 3-2 with a 3.49 ERA , 1.327 WHIP and 8.8 strikeouts per nine innings in 27 relief appearances as a senior in 2024.

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