BOSTON — The Red Sox added a key rookie back to their roster Monday ahead of an important series against the Reds.
Marcelo Mayer, who missed the weekend series against Toronto, was reinstated from the bereavement list and Nick Sogard was sent down to clear his spot. (UPDATE: In a second series of moves, Boston activated newcomer Jordan Hicks, who will join the bullpen after being acquired in the Rafael Devers trade, and optioned right-hander Zack Kelly to the WooSox).
Mayer was placed on leave Friday. It’s unclear why he left the team. He’ll play third base and hit seventh Monday. Before going on the bereavement list, the 22-year-old was showing signs of life at the plate. He had his first career three-hit game in Anaheim on Tuesday night.
Sogard started all three games against the Blue Jays. He was 3-for-10 with two doubles, two runs and three strikeouts. In total, he’s hitting .254 with five doubles and three RBIs in 17 big league games this year. In Triple-A, he’s hitting .234 with three homers, 16 RBIs and a .696 OPS.
Boston has lost seven of its last eight games dating back to June 21 and dropped two of three to Toronto to open the homestand. The Red Sox will look to close out June on a high note in an exciting pitching matchup between ace Garrett Crochet and hard-throwing Reds rookie Chase Burns, who is making his second career MLB start.
