Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports that the Red Sox have placed catcher Kelly Shoppach and shortstop Mike Aviles on waivers.

This is standard operating procedure for teams during the month of August, so it doesn't mean that the Red Sox intend to move them. If either player is claimed, the Red Sox can simply pull them back from waivers. Of course, they would also have the option of letting the player go to the claiming team or working out a trade. Cafardo also hears that Carl Crawford and Nick Punto have cleared waivers, which again, isn't particularly surprising or unusual.

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports that the Nationals and Brewers have trade interest in Kelly Shoppach of the Red Sox.

It's a bit curious to see the Brewers mentioned since they just traded George Kottaras, but the Nationals have a clear need. Shoppach, 32, is batting .261/.343/.513 with five home runs, 15 RBI and an .856 OPS in 136 plate appearances this season. Dealing him would allow the Red Sox to call up Ryan Lavarnway.

Kelly Shoppach had a nice night at the plate on Friday, going 2-for-3 in a losing effort against the Blue Jays.

While Jarrod Saltalamacchia has gotten lauded with praise for his tremendous offensive season, Shoppach is doing a nice job himself as the backup catcher in bean town. He's now hitting .274 with five homers and 14 RBI in 106 at-bats on the season. The Red Sox have explored trade interest for Shoppach recently, and he could become fantasy relevant if moved into a starting gig.

MLB Network's Peter Gammons reports the Mets have considered trading for Kelly Shoppach.

The Red Sox are looking to promote Ryan Lavarnway and likely wouldn't need much in the way of prospects. Shoppach would presumably function in a platoon with Josh Thole if acquired, and serve as an immediate upgrade over Mike Nickeas. The Mets have rumored interest in Ramon Hernandez, but view Shoppach as an alternative, depending on Colorado's asking price.

Kelly Shoppach's solo home run was the extent of Boston's offense in Sunday's 5-1 loss to the Blue Jays.

Contending with a wild Daniel Bard behind the plate, it's a miracle Shoppach was able to focus enough at the dish to go yard for the third time this season. Shoppach's now batting a robust .277/.382/.538 on the season, but doesn't play enough to be warrant a look outside of two-catcher AL-only leagues.

Kelly Shoppach went 3-for-4 with two doubles, three runs scored and his first career steal Friday against the Rays.

The steal was incredible. Taking off from first with a guy on third, he slid 10 feet in front of second base, bounced up and then dove into the bag, eating some dirt in the process. Of course, he hadn't so much as attempted a steal in 463 previous career games, so it was unfamiliar territory for the burly catcher.

Red Sox signed C Kelly Shoppach to a one-year, $1.35 million contract.

The unofficial end of the Jason Varitek era. Shoppach, 31, batted just .185/.285/.340 over 253 plate appearances this past season for the Rays, but has a knack for hammering left-handed pitching. He should do fine as a backup and/or platoon partner for Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Shoppach was originally drafted by the Red Sox in 2001 and made his major league debut with the club in 2005 before being shipped to Cleveland in the Coco Crisp deal.

According to ESPN's Jerry Crasnick, the Red Sox have reached a one-year, $1.35 miilion deal with Kelly Shoppach.

The contract will be officially announced on Tuesday afternoon, after Shoppach undergoes the customary pre-signing physical. He batted just .185/.285/.340 in 253 total plate appearances this past season for the Rays, but the 31-year-old is typically productive against left-handed pitchers and should fit snugly behind the switch-hitting Jarrod Saltalamacchia in Boston.

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports that the Red Sox have interest in free agent Kelly Shoppach.

Shoppach, 31, batted just .185/.285/.340 over 253 plate appearances this past season, but has a reputation for knocking around left-handed pitching. He could make for a decent platoon with the switch-hitting Jarrod Saltalamacchia, who had a .786 OPS against right-handed pitching in 2011. The Red Sox are currently exploring a number of options at the catcher position.

ESPN's Jerry Crasnik considers the Twins, Mariners, Blue Jays, Cardinals, and Red Sox possible suitors for free-agent Kelly Shoppach.

Shoppach received a $300,000 buyout from the Rays in October and is coming of a season that saw hit just .185/.285/.340. The 31-year-old backstop could make for an adequate platoon partner against left-handed pitching in the right system. He's unlikely to top the two-year $5.5 million contract he received from Tampa last offseason.

Rays declined Kelly Shoppach's $3.2 million option for 2012.

Kelly Shoppach is back at catcher for Tuesday afternoon's Game 4 of the ALDS against the Rangers.

John Jaso drew the start behind the plate in Tuesday's Game 3 loss. Shoppach, who homered twice in Game 1, is 3-for-7 with six RBI in this five-game division series.

Kelly Shoppach went 3-for-5 with two homers and five RBI on Friday in Game 1 of the ALDS against the Rangers.

Well, here's a surprise. While Shoppach has always feasted off lefties, he finished the regular season with a .176/.268/.339 batting line with 11 homers and 22 RBI over 253 plate appearances. He didn't drive in more than two runs in any game this season. The 31-year-old backstop is the first player since Ryan Howard (Game 4 of the 2008 World Series) to have two homers and five RBI in a postseason game.

Kelly Shoppach launched a solo shot in Thursday's loss to the Rangers.

Shoppach got the start with left-hander C.J. Wilson on the mound and took the southpaw deep in the sixth inning. It was hit first hit since August 20, as the backup catcher has managed just a .175/.268/.314 batting line for the season.

Kelly Shoppach hit a two-run homer and walked Wednesday versus the Brewers.

Shoppach entered June with a dreadful .152 average in 79 at-bats, but he's 8-for-24 with two homers, two doubles and six RBI this month. John Jaso hasn't done much of anything all year, so Shoppach should be in line for additional starts versus right-handers.

Kelly Shoppach returned to action on Saturday April 9.

Kelly Shoppach (knee) was fine during catching drills before Saturday's game.

Shoppach has been day-to-day with right knee soreness but says there isn't any ligament damage. He should be back behind the plate against lefties shortly.

Kelly Shoppach is day-to-day with right knee soreness.

Shoppach left Friday's game in the seventh inning with the injury. John Jaso will shoulder the load behind the plate while Sean Rodriguez could be used in an emergency.

Kelly Shoppach left Friday's game against the White Sox in the seventh inning with an apparent leg injury.

Shoppach appeared to twist his right leg and/or knee while making a play at the plate. He was replaced by John Jaso. The severity of the injury is not yet known, but Jose Lobaton would likely come up from the minors if he requires a lengthy absence.

Kelly Shoppach will start at catcher tonight against the Orioles.

Even though the Orioles starter Chris Tillman is a right-handed pitcher his splits are similar between lefties and rights, which is the reason manager Joe Maddon is going with the Shoppach over the left-handed hitting Jaso. Look for Jaso to draw the start against most right-handed pitchers.