Red Sox place Eovaldi, Hosmer on IL, don’t promote Casas in roster shuffle

FORT MYERS, FLORIDA - MARCH 14: Triston Casas #94 of the Boston Red Sox at bat against the Minnesota Twins during a Grapefruit League spring training game at Hammond Stadium on March 14, 2021 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS, FLORIDA - MARCH 14: Triston Casas #94 of the Boston Red Sox at bat against the Minnesota Twins during a Grapefruit League spring training game at Hammond Stadium on March 14, 2021 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Red Sox place Eric Hosmer, Nathan Eovaldi on Injured List

‘Reinforcements are on the way’ is a refrain Boston Red Sox fans have heard all summer.

Injuries piled up in July and August, taking the season from hopeful to hopeless. It’s not just the sheer number of injuries that’s befallen this roster; it’s also that for each player that comes off the Injured List, it seems like two more players take their place on the sidelines.

On Tuesday, the Sox announced that Eric Hosmer and Nathan Eovaldi are joining several of their teammates on the IL. While it’s disappointing, it’s not exactly a surprise. The moves are also retroactive, so the Sox are clearly hoping their IL stints will be short.

Why didn’t the Red Sox call up Triston Casas?

Somewhat surprising is that Triston Casas hasn’t been called up to take either of their spots, especially since he and Hosmer both play first base. Promoting him might have revitalized the team, and it certainly would’ve thrilled fans. And as of Monday, the Sox can call Casas up any time without infringing upon his rookie eligibility for next season.

Instead, Josh Winckowski will take Eovaldi’s spot in the rotation, as he did over the weekend. Franchy Cordero, who hit a game-tying homer in Sunday’s Little League Classic, will fill in for Hosmer. Hopefully, not at first base.