Saturday, February 2, 2013
Who covers for Kalish?
By Jason A. Churchill
Boston Red Sox outfielder Ryan Kalish had shoulder surgery Tuesday, so the 24-year-old will miss much -- and perhaps all -- of the season, according to the Boston Globe. So who benefits?
We know that Jacoby Ellsbury and Shane Victorino will hold down two of the three starting spots. But without Kalish's lefty stick, the Red Sox may turn to switch-hitting Daniel Nava against right-handers. Winter acquisition Jonny Gomes struggles mightily against righties, so he's not a likely candidate to see more action, even in the wake of Kalish's injury.
Also on the 40-man roster and expected to battle for a job this spring is outfielder Alex Hassan, who profiles as more of a backup outfielder and like Gomes, hits from the right side, but he owns a career .391 OBP in the minors, so he has an idea at the dish. The Sox also signed Ryan Sweeney earlier this week to cover their tracks, but he's more of a stopgap option.
Among prospects who could factor into the mix during the season, there's Bryce Brentz, a 24-year-old righty hitter with power who's reached Triple-A, and Jackie Bradley, a 2011 first-rounder who could break into the bigs in the second half in preparation for him becoming the club's centerfielder of the future, especially if Ellsbury, a free-agent-to-be, is traded or leaves.
