NewsRed Sox to welcome depth with callups
Lowrie, Kottaras expected to join club off the disabled list
By Ian Browne / MLB.com
08/30/09 6:08 PM ET
BOSTON -- Thanks to trades and injuries, the Red Sox have had to maneuver their roster countless times over the past month. But starting on Tuesday, they can simply expand it thanks to September callups.The dynamic of callup season is different for a contender like the Red Sox then it is for a rebuilding squad.
Unlike his final season in Philadelphia, when Terry Francona got an early sneak preview at Jimmy Rollins, the goal these days for the Boston manager is simply to find players that can provide the type of depth that might help to win a game or two down the stretch.
"It's probably different for every kid," Francona said. "It's nice to be able to reward guys for having a good Triple-A year. I think we probably have done that a time or two. At the same time, we're normally contending for a spot in the playoffs. It's not a time to sit and watch some young kid to see if he can [play]. We just don't have that luxury. So you try to balance it."
The Red Sox will do their callups in two stages. There will be a first group that joins the roster on Tuesday, when Boston opens a three-game series at Tropicana Field. And a second group will climb on board when Triple-A Pawtucket's season ends on Sept. 7.
Some of the roster additions will be players coming off the disabled list, as is the case with catcher George Kottaras and shortstop Jed Lowrie. Kottaras gives Francona a catcher behind Jason Varitek and Victor Martinez, while Lowrie, who has had recurring left wrist problems this season, serves as middle-infield depth to support Dustin Pedroia, Alex Gonzalez and Nick Green.
The Red Sox will have at least one extra pitcher, catcher, infielder and outfielder for the start of the series against the Rays.
Junichi Tazawa, the Japanese right-hander who has recently given Francona innings out of the rotation and the bullpen, is expected to be among the callups.
Brian Anderson and Josh Reddick are both logical candidates to provide outfield depth. Anderson was acquired from the White Sox for Mark Kotsay and is a terrific defender. Reddick, who started the season at Double-A, gave the Red Sox a nice boost when called upon at the end of July.
Jeff Bailey, a professional right-handed hitter who can play first base and the outfield, will probably emerge at some point. Bailey, a Minor League veteran who is 30 years old, has already served several stints with the Red Sox.
Michael Bowden, a starting pitching prospect, might be called on to help. Bowden spent two one-day stints on the roster this year, as well as one a year ago. Left-handed reliever Hunter Jones, who gave Francona some innings earlier in the season, is another pitcher in the mix. The same goes for right-hander Marcus McBeth, who has served two short stints on the roster this season but didn't pitch either time.
Ian Browne is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
