<img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-14586" title="0721
According to a recent press release from the front office, the Red Sox have made a few new additions to the active roster.
“The Boston Red Sox today recalled catcher Ryan Lavarnway and right-handed pitcher Kyle Weiland from Triple-A Pawtucket and selected infielder/outfielder Nate Spears to the active Major League roster from Pawtucket. To make room for Spears on the 40-man roster, the club designated infielder Drew Sutton for assignment. Lavarnway, Weiland and Spears will all be active for today’s game against the Blue Jays in Toronto, wearing No. 60, 70 and 71 respectively. With the moves, the club’s active Major League roster is at 31.”
Lavarnway, Weiland, and Spears join LHP Felix Doubront and RHP Michael Bowden as prospects who have been promoted since rosters expanded from 25 to 40-men on September 1st.
After tearing up AA and AAA pitching this season to the tune of .290/.376/.563 with 32 home runs, this is a much deserved second sting in the majors for Lavarnway. With Jarrod Saltalmacchia and Jason Varitek both on the roster, his exposure will likely be limited to pinch hitting and the occasional late inning/low leverage defensive replacement situations. Still, after hitting admirably during his initial promotion last month, Francona may give him an opportunity or two to start at DH in place of David Ortiz.
For Weiland, after putting together a spectacular season as the ace of Pawtucket’s starting pitching staff, he gets a chance to prove his value to the major league club by pitching out of the bullpen. With Matt Albers struggling, and the return of Bobby Jenks in question; the Red Sox are looking for a competent right-handed reliever to help Dan Wheeler provide a bridge to Daniel Bard and Jonathan Papelbon. While it’s not clear if Francona will give Weiland that opportunity just yet, circumstance could force him into putting the young righty in high-leverage situations. If he manages to pitch effectively down the stretch, there’s an outside chance he could make the playoff roster come October.
For Spears, this will the 28-year old’s first appearance on a major league roster. Signed as a minor league free agent prior to the 2010 season, the front office decided they liked what they saw and re-upped him for the 2011 season. Rather than place him on the 40-man roster this season, they extended an invite to Spring Training to audition for a spot. While he didn’t make the 40-man initially, the club reassigned him to AAA Pawtucket to serve as the team’s utility man. After nagging injuries started plaguing Jed Lowrie and Conor Jackson, the Red Sox looked to Spears and his versatility as an option to help fill holes when needed. To make room for Spears on the major league roster, the Red Sox designated infielder Drew Sutton for assignment.