Red Sox Roster Moves: Jose Iglesias Promoted, Tazawa Sent Down

The Red Sox announced that they have optioned relief pitcher Junichi Tazawa to AAA Pawtucket and called up Jose Iglesias to take his spot on the 25-man roster.  The move, according to Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe is to have Iglesias serve as a backup infielder while Kevin Youkilis continues to sit out games with back stiffness.

The designation of Tazawa leaves the bullpen a little shorthanded for the time being but with the big decision on Aaron Cook expected sometime in the next couple of days, all signs point to a re-stocked pen with Cook the likely candidate to replace Tazawa’s absence.

Abraham pointed out that Youkilis was not available for comment when the clubhouse was made available to the media on Tuesday afternoon, but manager Bobby Valentine did not confirm that Youkilis was headed to the DL.  At least not yet.

If Youk continues to miss time, a stint on the DL will be as obvious as the nose on your face meaning we could see Will Middlebrooks with the big club in the very near future.  Abraham also noted that Middlebrooks is dealing with a minor thumb injury which was likely the result in Iglesias getting the call and not the phenom third baseman.

Despite a shaky outing last night, Tazawa has been lights out for the Red Sox out of the bullpen this year, not allowing a run through 6.1 innings.

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