Major league rosters expanded from 26 to 28 on Monday, giving the Boston Red Sox two additional roster spots, one for a pitcher and one for a position player.
The Red Sox are calling up reliever Zack Kelly and catcher Ali Sanchez to fill those two spots.
Kelly has appeared in 17 games this season and pitched his way to a 5.56 ERA over 22 2/3 innings. His last appearance came on June 29 in a loss to the Toronto Blue Jays. The righty has shown strikeout stuff in the past, but hasn’t been able to consistently string together scoreless outings in the big leagues. He’ll slot into a low-leverage role.
The Red Sox have an opening in their rotation on Wednesday that could be filled by Kyle Harrison. If so, Kelly may not spend much time on the active roster before being optioned back to Triple-A Worcester.
Sanchez was with the Red Sox earlier this season, but elected free agency and signed a minor-league deal with the New York Mets after being designated for assignment. On Sunday, Boston traded for Sanchez in a minor-league deal. The team moved Marcelo Mayer to the 60-day injured list to clear a space for Sanchez.
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Sanchez spent about one week on the Red Sox roster earlier this season while Carlos Narvaez was banged up. He appeared in one game and made one plate appearance. With Narvaez and Connor Wong both healthy, it’s difficult to see Sanchez having an expanded role.
Nick Sogard, Jhonstnyxon Garcia and Abraham Toro aren’t eligible to be recalled until later in September. The rules require position players to spend a minimum of 10 days in the minor leagues after being optioned, unless taking the spot of an injured player.
The Red Sox begin a three-game series with the Cleveland Guardians on Monday.
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Featured image via Kiyoshi Mio/Imagn Images
