Bill Koch

Saturday

Jun 8, 2019 at 4:20 PM

BOSTON — The Red Sox were without a pair of sluggers for Saturday’s day-night doubleheader against the Rays.

Mitch Moreland enjoyed just one healthy day before returning to the injured list. The first baseman, who was fresh off a lower-back strain, suffered a right quad strain in Friday night’s 5-1 loss to Tampa Bay. Moreland appeared to suffer his latest setback on a grounder to first by Willy Adames. The ball caromed off Moreland and toward second base, setting up Brock Holt to start a rare 3-4-1 putout at first. Moreland reported the injury to Boston staff members and was removed after six innings.

“He doesn’t feel great,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “He’s going to see the doctors and go through testing and all that stuff. We’ll know a little bit more probably tonight or tomorrow.”

J.D. Martinez (back spasms) was also out of the lineup. He was removed from Thursday’s game against Kansas City and missed out Friday as well.

“J.D. is doing OK — not great,” Cora said before Saturday's matinee. “He feels better. He’s not playing in game one. Most likely we’ll stay away from him in game two. He’s day-to-day.”

Moreland and Martinez have combined for 47 extra-base hits and 67 runs batted in this season. Only Xander Bogaerts and Rafael Devers have knocked in more men.

Persistence pays off

Moreland’s injury opened the door for something of a feel-good story in the Boston clubhouse.

Utility infielder Marco Hernandez was recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket, his first appearance on the Red Sox roster since 2017. Hernandez has battled through three surgeries since suffering a left shoulder subluxation while attempting to field a ground ball at third base.

“It wasn’t easy, but the fact that he’s here — he did everything,” Cora said. “The medical staff did an outstanding job. The kid is very talented. He’s a great athlete. He went through a lot for him to be here. It’s great.”

Hernandez, 26, didn’t appear in an organized game in 2018 and was off to a strong start in the minor leagues this season. He played 21 games at Class-A Salem and another 21 at Triple-A Pawtucket, slashing a strong .303/.337/.500. Hernandez’s .837 OPS with the PawSox was a couple of ticks better than the .832 OPS he posted with Double-A Portland through 68 games in 2015.

“He stayed here with his family in the offseason working with the training staff,” Cora said. “Physically he’s a lot better in the last year obviously. He was just getting back to normal.”

Head's up play

Boston picked up an 11th outfield assist of the season in the third inning of Saturday’s opener.

Yandy Diaz smoked a two-out drive off the Bleacher Bar in center field and did a bit of admiring coming out of the batter’s box. The ball hit high off the wall and caromed to a waiting Jackie Bradley Jr., who was ready to throw. Diaz appeared surprised as he attempted a late slide into second base.

Bogaerts caught the ball and swept behind his back with the tag. Diaz came up off the bag with Bogaerts resting the glove on his knee, and the runner was called out. The Rays elected to challenge and the call was upheld upon review, ending the inning.

One step closer

Tzu-Wei Lin (left-knee sprain) began a rehab assignment at Triple-A Pawtucket on Saturday.

The utility infielder started at shortstop and batted second. Per club radio play-by-play voice Mike Monaco, Lin has been with the PawSox taking ground balls and batting practice for the last week.

Lin last appeared for Boston in a May 3 game at the White Sox. He sprained his MCL on a slide into second base and was removed.

bkoch@providencejournal.com

On Twitter: @BillKoch25

Red Sox Journal: Injuries to key players mount

Saturday