Blake Swihart is getting thrown into the fire.
The 23-year-old catcher reportedly was called up Friday night after Ryan Hanigan fractured his finger during the Boston Red Sox’s 3-2 loss to the New York Yankees. Now, Swihart will get the chance to show what he’s got, as he’ll bat ninth and start at catcher for Boston’s Saturday matinee against New York at Fenway Park.
Swihart has hit .338 with three doubles and 11 RBIs through 18 games with Pawtucket this season.
Brock Holt returns to the Sox’s lineup after getting Friday night off, batting seventh and replacing Allen Craig in right field. Third baseman Pablo Sandoval also will return to the fifth spot in the order after batting sixth behind Mike Napoli in Friday’s contest.
Swihart will receive pitches from lefthander Wade Miley, who is hoping to bounce back from a rough outing against the Baltimore Orioles last Sunday. Miley will have to face slugger Alex Rodriguez, who is batting third as the designated hitter in the Yankees’ lineup after hitting a historic pinch-hit home run Friday night.
Check out the lineups below.
RED SOXÂ (12-11)
Mookie Betts, CF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
David Ortiz, DH
Hanley Ramirez, LF
Pablo Sandoval, 3B
Mike Napoli, 1B
Brock Holt, RF
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Blake Swihart, C
Wade Miley, LHP
YANKEES (14-9)
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Brett Gardner, LF
Alex Rodriguez, DH
Mark Teixeira, 1B
Brian McCann, C
Chris Young, RF
Chase Headley, 3B
Gregorio Petit, 2B
Didi Gregorius, SS
Nathan Eovaldi, RHP
Thumbnail photo via Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports Images
