BOSTON — For the first time in three years, the Red Sox are gearing up for an exciting stretch run.
With just over a month left in the regular season, Boston is in the thick of the playoff hunt, entering Wednesday two games behind the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League East and one game ahead of the Baltimore Orioles for the top AL wild card spot.
The Red Sox’s postseason push gives added importance to Sept. 1, when Major League Baseball roster limits expand from 25 players to 40. Boston likely won’t fill all 15 extra roster spots, but there still are plenty of players at the minor-league level who could help the big league club.
Manager John Farrell revealed Wednesday that catcher Ryan Hanigan will come off the disabled list and travel with the team to Oakland on Friday. Farrell also provided insight into which areas the Red Sox will address with their call-ups.
“We can add some depth to the bullpen, and we’ll likely do that in a couple of cases,” Farrell said. “We’ll also likely bring up some depth to the infield in the event that we’ve got to make any adjustments or get another guy off his feet, if needed.”
So, who are the Red Sox’s most likely call-up candidates? Glad you asked.
Yoan Moncada, Third Baseman
Judging by Farrell’s comments Wednesday, it appears all but certain the Red Sox will give their 21-year-old prospect a big league shot. Boston has received subpar production out of third base from Travis Shaw and Aaron Hill, and while Moncada still is raw, adding to him the roster could inject more energy to this club down the stretch, much in the way Andrew Benintendi served as a spark plug before his injury.
Joe Kelly, Relief Pitcher
The Red Sox’s bullpen has been an area of major concern lately. Kelly might not be an ideal solution, but he does own a 2.45 ERA during his brief experience as a reliever this season. There’s no sense in keeping Kelly in Triple-A Pawtucket with the minor league season about to end, so expect Kelly to enter the bullpen fold as another potential option for Farrell and Co.
Heath Hembree, Relief Pitcher
Hembree has bounced between Boston and Pawtucket this season, but he’s another bullpen arm who owns a 2.40 ERA in 30 appearances with the Red Sox and has had occasional success despite a recent rough patch. He should have a few more chances to prove himself in Boston’s shaky bullpen down the stretch.
Bryce Brentz, Outfielder
With Benintendi’s timetable for return unclear, the Red Sox could benefit from some more outfield depth. Brentz has struggled a bit in Triple-A lately, but with 25 games of big league experience this season, he’s the team’s most likely candidate as a depth add.
Noe Ramirez, Relief Pitcher
Did we mention the Red Sox need bullpen help? Ramirez would be most useful as a long reliever should a Boston starter get knocked out early, and he pitched for the Red Sox last September as the team’s late-season call-up.
Thumbnail photo via Jake Roth/USA TODAY Sports Images
