Christian Vázquez placed on the DL
Robert Bouffard - Contributing Writer
The Red Sox placed Christian Vázquez on the 10-day disabled list prior to Sunday afternoon’s game against the Royals. He fractured his right pinkie finger (his throwing hand) sliding into second base during the seventh inning of last night’s contest.
Vázquez will receive an MRI tomorrow so the team can get a better idea of how much time he will have to miss. But according to Christopher Smith of MassLive.com, Vázquez is hoping he will only have to be out for two to three weeks.
Sandy Leon, who is hitting .297 with 10 RBI in his last 13 games, will assume primary catching duties with Blake Swihart backing him up. This will serve as yet another chance for Swihart to receive playing time and show whatever worth he may have. Even though he came through the Red Sox minor league system as a catcher, Swihart has only played two games there this year.
Swihart has only played more than 80 games at the Major League level once, and that was in 2015. Since then, his career has been injury riddled. This season, he has only appeared in 41 of the team’s 90 total games, where he’s hit .185 with a .460 OPS and has struck out in 31% of his at bats. Not ideal.
The Red Sox are starting Leon behind the plate today with plans of starting Swihart tomorrow.
Depending on the actual severity of Vázquez’ injury, the Red Sox could look to acquire another catcher via trade. But in his last 16 games, he is only hitting .231 with a .577 OPS. If Swihart is able to at least match those numbers with more regular playing time, a platoon between him and Leon should be enough to hold the team over until Vázquez returns.
Along with placing Vázquez on the DL, the Red Sox also placed Brian Johnson on the 10-day disabled list with left hip inflammation, retroactive to July 5, recalled William Cuevas from Triple-A, called up right-handed pitcher Ryan Brasier and transferred Austin Maddox to the 60-day DL.
Click here to read more from Robert Bouffard. Follow him on Twitter - @robouf5
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Photo via Evan Habeeb/USA TODAY Sports Images |
Vázquez will receive an MRI tomorrow so the team can get a better idea of how much time he will have to miss. But according to Christopher Smith of MassLive.com, Vázquez is hoping he will only have to be out for two to three weeks.
Sandy Leon, who is hitting .297 with 10 RBI in his last 13 games, will assume primary catching duties with Blake Swihart backing him up. This will serve as yet another chance for Swihart to receive playing time and show whatever worth he may have. Even though he came through the Red Sox minor league system as a catcher, Swihart has only played two games there this year.
Swihart has only played more than 80 games at the Major League level once, and that was in 2015. Since then, his career has been injury riddled. This season, he has only appeared in 41 of the team’s 90 total games, where he’s hit .185 with a .460 OPS and has struck out in 31% of his at bats. Not ideal.
The Red Sox are starting Leon behind the plate today with plans of starting Swihart tomorrow.
Depending on the actual severity of Vázquez’ injury, the Red Sox could look to acquire another catcher via trade. But in his last 16 games, he is only hitting .231 with a .577 OPS. If Swihart is able to at least match those numbers with more regular playing time, a platoon between him and Leon should be enough to hold the team over until Vázquez returns.
Along with placing Vázquez on the DL, the Red Sox also placed Brian Johnson on the 10-day disabled list with left hip inflammation, retroactive to July 5, recalled William Cuevas from Triple-A, called up right-handed pitcher Ryan Brasier and transferred Austin Maddox to the 60-day DL.
Click here to read more from Robert Bouffard. Follow him on Twitter - @robouf5
