Mauro Gomez Optioned To Pawtucket After Impressive Hitting Stretch That Came With Subpar Defense

As the Red Sox regain reinforcements, Mauro Gomez was the latest roster casualty to suffer the consequences.

Before Saturday's game against the Rays, the team announced that they had activated pitcher Clay Buchholz from the disabled list and optioned Gomez back to Pawtucket to clear up room on the 25-man roster.

Since his promotion on July 4, Gomez made six starts for the Red Sox, alternating between third and first base. With Will Middlebrooks sidelined, Gomez — typically a first baseman and designated hitter — was forced to patrol third base in his absence.

While Gomez was originally signed as a third baseman, he hadn't played the position in a game since 2009. Due to the inexperience, the 27-year-old was charged with four errors — one as a first baseman — during his second go-around with Boston.

Despite the defensive limitations, Gomez contributed at the plate in his short stint, collecting eight hits in his six games. He also recorded an RBI in three of the four games that he played against the Yankees last week. Now, after 26 at-bats in the majors, Gomez is batting .308.

As Gomez back down in Triple-A, Brent Lillibridge was slotted to start at first base as Adrian Gonzalez continues to deal with back spasms.

Have a question for Didier Morais? Send it to him via Twitter at @DidierMorais or send it here. He will pick a few questions to answer every week for his mailbag.

Photo courtesy of Facebook/Mauro Gomez