BOSTON — Jackie Bradley Jr. is back with the Red Sox.
The 25-year-old center fielder was recalled by Boston from Triple-A Pawtucket on Tuesday, as first baseman Mike Napoli continued to battle illness.
“We needed to add another position player,” Red Sox manager John Farrell said. “Mike Napoli is still day-to-day. With last night’s outing of Joe Kelly and the way we came through last night, I feel like our bullpen is caught up enough to go back to twelve pitchers.
“Jackie will be in a reserve role coming off the bench. That’s where we are right now.”
Bradley Jr. is off to a nice start in Triple-A this season. He’s batting .373 (23-for-73) with nine runs scored, and six RBIs in 18 games for the PawSox.
“He’s maintained the swing that he showed in spring training, which is back to the stroke he’s had as an amateur and the early days of his pro career,” Farrell said. “I thought last year there maybe was some length added to his swing, open up some holes.”
Mookie Betts will start in center field for the Red Sox in Tuesday night’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park.
Thumbnail photo via Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports Images
