WORCESTER — Double-A Portland manager Chad Epperson called top Red Sox pitching prospects Connelly Early and David Sandlin into his office Sunday, telling them “it’s that time of the year.” The MLB trade deadline is Thursday at 6 p.m. and Epperson had the two pitchers thinking they were being dealt.

After electing free agency last week, the 30-year-old backstop agreed to a minor league deal with the Orioles' division rival.

Could the Boston Red Sox emerge as an unexpected trade partner with the Milwaukee Brewers? The deadline is less than 48 hours away, and we’ll all know soon enou

The Red Sox also assigned catcher Ronaldo Hernández, who they signed to a minor league deal July 17, to Double-A Portland to make room for Tromp. He appeared in four games for Worcester.

The Boston Red Sox trading Jarren Duran seems unlikely, but if they do, they might have to get creative to get back what they need.

Discover the Red Sox’s ideal trade proposal for Nationals ace MacKenzie Gore, analyzing top prospects, rotation impact, and future outlook.

The Athletic released its 10 bold predictions on Tuesday, and has the Red Sox acquiring Yandy Díaz from the Tampa Bay Rays. Díaz would not only fill the first base role, but he’d also be a right-handed bat in a left-handed-heavy Boston lineup. The 33-year-old is batting .283 with 18 home runs, 62 RBI and a .469 slugging percentage.

Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow put lofty expectations on Jordan Hicks after the Rafael Devers trade. He's not quite lived up to the billing.