BALTIMORE (AP) — The Boston Red Sox activated Triston Casas from the 60-day injured list on Friday, hoping the move will add firepower to a lineup that has lacked a threat from deep.
Casas hit 24 home runs with an .856 OPS last season and finished third in AL Rookie of the Year voting. He had six home runs in 78 at-bats this year before going on the IL on April 21 with a strained left rib cage.
After a long rehabilitation, the 24-year-old first baseman returned on Friday night and batted third against the Baltimore Orioles.
“Hitting the ball out of the ballpark is important. That’s what he brings to the equation,” Boston manager Alex Cora said. “We’ve been scoring runs and swinging the bats well, but I think hitting the ball out of the ballpark will benefit us.”
To make room for Casas on the roster, the Red Sox called up first baseman/designated hitter Dominic Smith. In his first season with Boston, Smith had a batting average of .237 with six home runs and 34 RBIs in 83 games.
“He was outstanding,” Cora said. “It’s one of those things where it’s a difficult decision, but I think everyone knew it was hard to keep him.”
Smith, 29, who played six seasons with the New York Mets before joining Washington last year, offered advice to his teammates in Boston.
“He was very important to the guys in the locker room. Always in a good mood, always ready to go,” Cora said. “It wasn’t easy to throw him out. Hopefully someone will get him and he’ll stay in the major leagues. He’s a good player and still young.”
Despite losing six of eight games prior to Friday’s game, the Red Sox are still in the AL wild-card race and expect a boost Saturday with the return of outfielder Tyler O’Neill, who has been out since Aug. 4 with a left leg infection. O’Neill has a .268 batting average with 22 home runs in 80 games.
Also on Friday, Boston activated right-hander Cooper Criswell from the COVID-19 injured list and sent rookie Chase Shugart to Triple-A Worcester, a day after the right-hander made his major league debut with 2 2/3 effective innings against the Orioles.
___
APMLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
