Amid

the season-ending injury

to first baseman

Triston Casas

and

negotiating a minefield

with designated hitter

Rafael Devers

about

possibly playing that position

, the

Boston Red Sox

are taking steps to ensure someone can cover the right side of the field.


Romy González

had been one of the players filling in at first base after Casas’ injury, along with

Abraham Toro

. But Boston had to place González

on the 10-day injured list

On Saturday due to a bruised quadriceps muscle. To fill González’s place on the active roster, Nick Sogard was promoted from Triple-A Worcester, and he will be starting today.

Saturday’s game

versus the

Kansas City Royals

at first base.

González suffered the injury

on Wednesday

when he crashed into the Texas Rangers

Texas Rangers

first baseman

Josh Smith

after trying to beat out a throw from third base.


González appeared to be all right, tried to jog off the injury and was able to leave the field without help. But Toro replaced him at first base in the seventh inning.

Though González and manager Alex Cora thought he would be able to avoid the IL, Toro started at first base for the Red Sox in the past two games. Following

Friday’s 2-1 loss

to the Royals, Cora said González ”

did not recover as anticipated

” requiring the roster adjustment.

In 17 games this season (starting 10 of them at first base), González is batting .308/.362/.423 with six doubles, six RBI and three stolen bases. Toro has a .143 average with a .286 OPS in five games, which is likely why the Red Sox added some infield help.

Sogard does not seem to offer significant enhancement, as evidenced by his stats of .188 batting average, .314 on-base percentage, and .248 slugging percentage in Triple-A, along with six doubles, ten RBIs, and six stolen bases. However, he posted a .273 batting average and an .650 OPS over 31 games for Boston last year. González is expected back following his injury list placement, which dates from May 8th.

That is, unless the Red Sox make a move to bring in another first baseman or somehow convince Devers to get over

his rejection of taking on a different role

.