The Boston Red Sox did some more injury-related maneuvering Friday.
The Red Sox placed outfielder Chris Young on the 15-day disabled list with a right hamstring strain before their series opener against the Texas Rangers. Outfielder Bryce Brentz was recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket to take Young’s spot on the 25-man roster.
Young suffered the injury while rounding first base in Thursday afternoon’s series finale against the Chicago White Sox. Boston won the game in 10 innings, but it obviously came at a price.
Left field has been a revolving door for the Red Sox, who entered Friday 1 1/2 games back of the Baltimore Orioles in the American League East. Brock Holt is close to returning from a concussion that’s kept him out of major league games since May 18, but Blake Swihart, a catcher who began learning the outfield this season, still is recovering from an ankle injury. Rusney Castillo was outrighted to Pawtucket earlier this week after going through waivers unclaimed.
Young’s injury further complicates matters, as he’s played well this season, especially of late. The 32-year-old is hitting .277 with six home runs, 15 RBIs and an .846 OPS in 142 plate appearances. He’s been really good against left-handers, posting a .340/.404/.638 slash line to go along with a pair of homers in 52 plate appearances.
This will mark Brentz’s first major league stint since his nine-game debut in 2014. The 27-year-old is hitting .261 with four home runs, 20 RBIs and a .726 OPS in 50 games split between Pawtucket and Double-A Portland this season.
Thumbnail photo via Winslow Townson/USA TODAY Sports Images
