Boston Red Sox manager John Farrell is wasting no time in deploying his returning catcher.
Ryan Hanigan, who was activated from the 60-day disabled list before Thursday’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre, immediately rejoined Boston’s starting lineup. The 34-year-old backstop is behind the plate and batting ninth for the Red Sox’s series finale north of the border.
Hanigan has been sidelined since May 1. He fractured a knuckle on his throwing hand and underwent surgery May 2, forcing the Red Sox to call upon highly touted catching prospect Blake Swihart.
Swihart has played well, creating an interesting situation. The Red Sox initially will keep three catchers on the active roster, as right-hander Jonathan Aro was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket to make room for Hanigan. Sandy Leon is out of minor league options, but he’ll stick with Boston for the time being.
Hanley Ramirez, who returned to the starting lineup Wednesday afternoon after missing the previous six games with a hand injury, also is in Thursday’s starting lineup. He’ll man his usual left field post. Alejandro De Aza and Mookie Betts will patrol right field and center field, respectively.
The complete lineups for Thursday’s Red Sox-Blue Jays matchup are below.
RED SOX (36-44)
Mookie Betts, CF
Brock Holt, 2B
Xander Bogaerts, SS
David Ortiz, DH
Hanley Ramirez, LF
Pablo Sandoval, 3B
Mike Napoli, 1B
Alejandro De Aza, RF
Ryan Hanigan, C
Wade Miley, LHP (7-7, 4.38 ERA)
BLUE JAYS (42-38)
Jose Reyes, SS
Josh Donaldson, 3B
Jose Bautista, RF
Edwin Encarnacion, DH
Chris Colabello, 1B
Russell Martin, C
Danny Valencia, LF
Kevin Pillar, CF
Devon Travis, 2B
Matt Boyd, LHP (0-1, 5.40 ERA)
Thumbnail photo via Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports Images
