Update 3:20 p.m. ET: The Red Sox have announced that Daniel Nava has been optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket.
The Boston Red Sox have been carrying a crowded outfield this season, and Daniel Nava reportedly will become the first casualty.
With the Red Sox bullpen running on fumes and Shane Victorino nearly ready to return, Nava will be optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket on Wednesday, according to multiple reports.
In his place, the Red Sox reportedly will recall right-handed reliever Alex Wilson, who pitched in 26 games for the team last season.
WEEI’s Lou Merloni was the first to report the news.
Nava has been unable to replicate his 2013 success through 19 games this season, compiling a .149/.240/.269 slash line with two home runs and three RBIs.
“He’s probably swung the bat a little bit more earlier in counts than we’ve seen in the past and that might be some reflection of the current level of confidence,” Red Sox manager John Farrell told reporters Tuesday. “When he’s squared up some balls, he hasn’t seen the fruits of that too much.
“Like all players, they go through a little bit of a peak and valley and we’re trying to get him out of that right now.”
Victorino, who has missed the first 21 games of the season as he recovers from a hamstring injury, completed a three-game rehab stint with the PawSox on Tuesday and is expected to return to the active roster Thursday. He went 1-for-11 with three strikeouts in Pawtucket.
The Red Sox host the New York Yankees at 7:10 p.m. Wednesday night.
