Injury string hits Kinsler
10-day DL likely for new 2B
RED SOX NOTEBOOK
The Red Sox have lost another second baseman.
Ian Kinsler hurt his left hamstring while running the bases in the first inning of the Red Sox’ 4-1 win over the Yankees last night. He’s likely going to the 10-day disabled list, manager Alex Cora said.
“When I was coming around third it grabbed me a little bit,” Kinsler said. “Ten days is probably the worst case scenario. Take it day by day.”
The Red Sox currently are without Rafael Devers and Blake Swihart because of hamstring strains.
“Ian is a little tight,” Cora said. “One of the things about him, his legs are very important the way he plays. We don’t feel it’s that bad but it might be probably a DL thing kind of like Swihart and Devers and (Brock) Holt early. Something that it’s not going to take that long if we decide to take that route, but it might be needed.”
Kinsler was acquired at the trade deadline from the Angels to be the regular second baseman, but now the Sox are in dire need of infielders because of injuries that are piling up.
With Xander Bogaerts hurt, Holt has been playing shortstop. And with Devers hurt, Eduardo Nunez has been playing third.
The Sox plan to call up Tony Renda, a minor league infielder from Triple-A Pawtucket.
Mookie Betts played second base last night, but it’s not something the Red Sox want to do regularly.
Bogaerts came off the bench to play defense the last two innings, but he’s not yet ready to hit after taking a fastball off the hand earlier this week.
“We didn’t want to bring Bogey in unless there’s an emergency and we didn’t feel he could swing the bat, so that’s why we waited so long to put him in,” said bench coach Ron Roenicke, who took the managing reins when Cora was ejected in the first inning.
Pearce strikes again
The Red Sox didn’t acquire Steve Pearce so he could hit third against right-handed starters, but that’s exactly what happened last night.
Pearce was in the lineup at first base over the lefthanded hitting Mitch Moreland against right-hander Luis Severino. Pearce was 1-for-4 lifetime off Severino heading into the game; Moreland was 5-for-15.
“You know what, it’s hard to sit a guy who hit three home runs (Thursday),” Cora said.
Pearce then hit another home run, this time off Severino in the first inning to give the Red Sox a 2-0 lead.
“When I got back in the dugout you could see the adrenaline from the guys,” Pearce said. “It was a good blow to deliver.”
Pearce is known for his damage against lefties. He entered yesterday hitting .358 with a 1.076 OSP off lefties this year. But two of Pearce’s homers on Thursday were against righthanded pitchers.
Moreland, who has been battling knee soreness, came in off the bench and was 2-for-3 with an RBI.
Swihart on shelf
Just as Swihart was getting hot, an injury will send him back to the bench.
The Red Sox catcher suffered a hamstring strain in the club’s 15-7 win over the Yankees on Thursday night and was placed on the 10day disabled list yesterday.
Cora said the Sox are hopeful Swihart’s injury will keep him out just 10 days.
“Yeah, we feel that way,” Cora said. “It’s a tough one because he’s a catcher. He can say all he wants about not running hard and all that, but to be behind the plate, it’s not smart. The smart thing is to take care of him and hopefully he’ll be back as soon as possible.”
It’s unfortunate timing for Swihart, who hit a walkoff double Monday against the Phillies and had been riding an 11-game hitting streak until he was removed early Thursday. He’s hitting .361 with four doubles and a homer over his last 12 games and was starting to get more playing time opposite Sandy Leon.
It’s also poor timing for the Red Sox, who have been without Christian Vazquez because of a pinky injury. Vazquez is not expected back until September.
Career minor leaguer Dan Butler, who has just seven games of big league experience back in 2014, was called up from Pawtucket to replace Swihart.
“He’s the guy that we feel can handle the staff,” Cora said. “We know him. He knows the staff.”
Butler, 31, has been in the Red Sox system since 2009. He was with the Nationals’ Triple-A club for one year in 2015, but has otherwise spent his entire pro career with the Sox.
Pomeranz to ’pen
Drew Pomeranz was moved to the bullpen for last night’s game, but didn’t pitch.
He “most likely” is going to make his next scheduled start Tuesday, Cora said.
“Actually he came up to me yesterday and he’s like, ‘If you need me in the bullpen I’m available,’” Cora said. “And I’m like, ‘cool, that’s awesome, so you’ll be in the bullpen.’ ”
Pomeranz had a 3.08 ERA while pitching mostly out of relief for the Oakland A’s in 2014-15. He has a 6.56 ERA in 10 starts this season.