BOSTON — Garin Cecchini is back with the Red Sox.
The Red Sox recalled Cecchini from Triple-A Pawtucket before Saturday’s game against the Seattle Mariners at Fenway Park, marking the 24-year-old’s first major league stint of 2015. Boston placed knuckleballer Steven Wright on the seven-day concussion list to facilitate the roster move.
Wright, who was struck on the back of the neck by a batting practice fly ball earlier this week during the Red Sox’s series against the Miami Marlins, will miss his scheduled start Monday. Matt Barnes will start in his place. It’ll be Barnes’ first major league start, as all 26 of the 25-year-old’s big league appearances to this point have come in relief.
Cecchini’s role with Boston is unclear, but he’s capable of playing left field and both corner infield positions. He appeared in 57 games in left field, 19 games at third base and 14 games at first base with Pawtucket before Saturday’s call-up. He hit .218 with six home runs, 25 RBIs and a .293 on-base percentage for the PawSox.
“The at-bats have been getting better throughout the course of the year. We know what he’s all about,” Red Sox acting manager Torey Lovullo said of Cecchini before Saturday’s game. “Sometimes the at-bats and the quality of the at-bats don’t determine whether you’re going to have a great call-up or a great situation here at the big league level, but I know that he’s energized, he’s excited and he’s going to fill a void for us.”
Outfielders Hanley Ramirez and Rusney Castillo both are battling foot injuries, so adding Cecchini makes sense. He appeared in 11 major leagues games last season, hitting .258 (8-for-31) with a homer, four RBIs and a .361 on-base percentage.
Thumbnail photo via Winslow Townson/USA TODAY Sports Images
