With the club in desperate need of reinforcements, the Red Sox announced a series of moves to replenish the roster before Monday’s game.
The Red Sox have called up three players from Triple-A Worcester, including left-hander Bailey Horn, right-hander Chase Shugart and catcher/infielder Mickey Gasper. The latter two are making their major league debuts and will wear numbers 61 and 77, respectively.
They will replace left-hander Brennan Bernardino and right-hander Brad Keller, both of whom were sent to Triple-A, as well as outfielder Jarren Duran, who will begin serving his team-imposed two-game suspension for using a homophobic slur on Monday night.
In addition, the Red Sox also activated right-hander Brayan Bello from the paternity leave list and placed left-hander James Paxton on the 15-day injured list with a strained right calf. Bello will start for the Red Sox on Monday, and Cora said Paxton already underwent an MRI on Monday, but full results won’t be available until closer to first pitch.
“The doctor will be here at 6 p.m., then we’ll know more,” manager Alex Cora said. “He’s in pain. He’s obviously not moving well, so we’ll see what happens.”
Boston has also designated for assignment infielder/outfielder Jamie Westbrook.
Cora said the club’s pitching staff was severely depleted after two consecutive emergency days in the bullpen over the weekend and needed reinforcements to make ends meet. He said the decision to option Bernardino was a difficult one, but given the current shortage in the bullpen, they need all the fresh pitchers they can get.
“We have to refocus. We have to,” Cora said. “As far as pitching goes, obviously Bernie has been a big part of what we’re trying to accomplish. He’s struggled, but he’s still a part of it. With Paxton’s injury, bullpen day on Saturday to try to win a ballgame, we can’t pitch Lucas (Sims) today, we can’t pitch (Luis) Garcia, it’s one of those situations where we have to be patient. Today, maybe tomorrow, and refocus and then go from there. That doesn’t mean we can’t win a game, but we have to stay away from guys or it’s going to be tough.”
Additional innings
Triston Casas was in the Red Sox clubhouse on Monday to check in. He will be back in Worcester on Tuesday to continue his rehab assignment. … Cora says Cooper Criswell was hit hard by COVID-19, but the club is hopeful he can return later this week. … Liam Hendriks is feeling good after his last bullpen session and will throw a third pitch on Wednesday. Barring any setbacks, he could begin a rehab assignment soon after.
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