The Boston Red Sox are wasting no time trying Blake Swihart in the outfield at the big league level.
Swihart was recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket on Friday as part of a series of roster moves that included sending Brock Holt to the seven-day concussion disabled list. Swihart, who had been getting reps in the outfield at Pawtucket, will make his first major league start in left field and bat ninth in the series opener against the Cleveland Indians at Fenway Park.
Swihart made 11 starts in the outfield for Pawtucket, the first time in his professional career he’s ever played anywhere in the field other than catcher. He made one error on 23 chances and had two outfield assists. At the plate, Swihart struggled after being sent down in early April, but he’s rebounded nicely, hitting .313 over his last 10 games before returning to Boston.
Red Sox center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. is looking to extend his hitting streak to 25 games, the longest mark in the majors so far this season. If Bradley can extend the streak, it would match Dustin Pedroia’s 25-game streak in 2011.
Right-hander Clay Buchholz takes the ball for the Red Sox opposite the Indians’ Corey Kluber.
Here are the lineups for Friday night’s game.
RED SOX (25-16)
Mookie Betts, RF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Xander Bogaerts, SS
David Ortiz, DH
Hanley Ramirez, 1B
Travis Shaw, 3B
Jackie Bradley Jr., CF
Christian Vazquez, C
Blake Swihart, LF
Clay Buchholz, RHP (2-3, 6.11 ERA)
INDIANS (21-17)
Carlos Santana, DH
Jason Kipnis, 2B
Francisco Lindor, SS
Mike Napoli, 1B
Jose Ramirez, LF
Yan Gomes, C
Lonnie Chisenhall, RF
Juan Uribe, 3B
Rajai Davis, CF
Corey Kluber, RHP (2-5, 4.30)
Thumbnail photo via Gregory J. Fisher/USA TODAY Sports Images
