Red Sox face crucial Vaughn Grissom decision as rehab assignment ends

Nick Sogard is the latest addition to the Boston Red Sox's revolving door of middle infielders, and he's been solid in his new spot. But the second baseman most fans expected to see in the field all season is ready to end his second rehab assignment of the season.

Vaughn Grissom either needs to be activated by the Red Sox or optioned to Triple-A today, Aug. 7. His second rehab stint with the WooSox has reached its 20-day maximum, and Boston has a choice to make.

Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reported last week that the Sox may option Grissom to Worcester for the rest of the season. He's only played 23 big-league games this season, and Boston isn't sure Grissom will be at the same level as the rest of the squad if it was to reinstate him to the roster.

But the 23-year-old isn't letting the decision get to him. Grissom hopes to get back on track, regardless of where he suits up every day.

Red Sox need to make Vaughn Grissom decision — will he stay in Triple-A?

“This one, it’s like, ‘Let’s start to feel like Griss again,’” Grissom said to Alex Speier of The Boston Globe. “Who knows what they’re thinking up there? But I know, for me, I’m just trying to inch closer and just repeat, repeat, repeat. If I have a good day, I try to repeat it the next day. I’m trying to stack days.”

Sogard and David Hamilton have been reliable at second base and they've been solid offensively. The Red Sox may option Grissom to Triple-A to get some everyday playing time before he assumes his position with the squad. He's batting .263/.364/.342 in 21 games in the minor leagues this year, and the Sox may wait for an uptick in those numbers before he's called up to the big leagues again.

Alex Cora is still confident in Grissom's ability to hit at every level, but he's been rusty this season and the Red Sox's on-field chemistry is palpable. It isn't advisable to make such a change amid a postseason push, especially when Boston's next four series are against teams in the hunt for a playoff spot.

The 23-year-old is showing improvement from the beginning of the season. But he needs more time in the minor leagues to reach the offensive level the Sox know he's capable of consistently.

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