Former Red Sox minor leaguer Ryan Fitzgerald belts his first career home run as a member of the Twins in 2025. (Getty Images)

The Minnesota Twins designated former Worcester Red Sox fan favorite Ryan Fitzgerald for assignment on Friday, a move that followed Minnesota’s acquisition of infielder Eric Wagaman from the Miami Marlins in exchange for minor-league pitcher Kade Bragg.

Fitzgerald was selected by the Kansas City Royals during the minor-league phase of the Rule 5 Draft following the 2023 season after spending two years with the WooSox. In total, he spent five seasons in the Boston Red Sox organization, where he became one of the most accomplished players in Worcester franchise history.

During his time with the WooSox, Fitzgerald finished as the club’s all-time leader in games played (235), at-bats (821), runs scored (115), hits (194), doubles (52), triples (11), RBIs (137), and walks (94).

The popular “Fitzy” later appeared in 108 games for the Omaha Storm Chasers, the Royals’ Triple-A affiliate, during the 2024 season. He batted .244 with 14 home runs, 54 RBIs, 17 doubles, three triples, three stolen bases, and a .754 OPS, helping Omaha advance to the Triple-A championship before falling to the Sugar Land Space Cowboys.

This past season in the Twins’ system, Fitzgerald hit .277 with seven home runs, 16 doubles, two triples, 31 RBIs, 28 walks, and five stolen bases, posting a .836 OPS in 59 games with Minnesota’s Triple-A affiliate. The 31-year-old also appeared in 24 games at the major league level, batting .196 (9-for-46) with four home runs, nine RBIs, 10 runs scored, and seven walks.

He also authored a memorable moment in September, when he hit his first career major league home run against the Los Angeles Angels. Later in the same game — with Los Angeles holding a blowout lead — Fitzgerald took the mound and tossed a scoreless inning, allowing two hits in a memorable two-way cameo.

Wagaman, 28, played in 140 games for the Marlins last season, hitting .250 (119-for-476) with 28 doubles, three triples, nine home runs, 53 RBIs, 56 runs scored, and 32 walks. He ranked second among National League rookies in hits, doubles, and extra-base hits (180) and was tied for third in triples.

Bragg, 24, was a 17th-round pick of the Twins in the 2023 MLB Draft and spent parts of two seasons in Minnesota’s farm system.