Catching in the major leagues isn't easy. Catching for the Red Sox in 2010 is proving to be dangerous.
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, who was acquired by the Sox on July 31 and called up on Aug. 11, was placed on the disabled list before Thursday's game against the Angels with an infection in his right leg. Dusty Brown has been called up from Triple-A Pawtucket to fill the roster spot.
Manager Terry Francona told reporters that the 25-year-old backstop is at Mass General Hospital and that he is awaiting results of blood work, according to NESN.com's Tony Lee.
Saltalamacchia went to Mass General on Wednesday to undergo tests but returned to Fenway Park to make himself available for the game.
"He's in the hospital," Francona said. "He'll receive IV, antibiotics for the next 48 to 72 hours, then hopefully that'll kinda knock [the infection] out. He can get out of the hospital, take a couple of days to feel better, but again we needed another catcher."
Francona said that the infection is not contagious, but its origin is unknown.
"Not even the remotest idea. He has no idea," Francona said. "He doesn't remember hitting it, cutting it, nothing. No idea. It's red now and puffy, he has no idea of anything that happened. [They're] trying to go back and retrace the steps, and there's nothing."
Saltalamacchia has played in three games for the Sox, batting .333 with two doubles and two walks. He also threw out one would-be base stealer on four attempts. Brown, 28, has played in six games with the major league club this season, going 2-for-11 (.182) at the dish. He's caught two of seven stolen base attempts. In 64 games for Triple-A Pawtucket, Brown is batting .219 with seven homers and 28 RBIs.
