Craig Breslow got to work earlier than other contending front offices ahead of the upcoming trade deadline and former Washington National Curtis Mead has already joined the Boston Red Sox. He didn't last long in his debut game, however.
Against the Athletics on July 27, Mead led off the top of the fourth inning and was hit by a pitch on his wrist. The ball landed just below his hand guard to get him in an unprotected spot. Mead took his base and stayed in the game to run, but he did not return to the field to play defense in the bottom of the fourth frame.
Mead was later diagnosed with a hand contusion, per multiple sources including Tim Healey of The Boston Globe. He also underwent x-rays, which came back clean. Mead told reporters after the game that he has no trouble squeezing his hand, but rotation of the wrist is a different story. Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy has categorized Mead as day-to-day and says his team "dodged a bullet maybe."
It's a relief that Boston hopes to avoid an injured list stint for Mead. The third baseman-turned-second baseman could've become the fourth Red Sox middle infielder on the IL with Trevor Story, Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Marcelo Mayer already there.
Curtis Mead diagnosed with hand contusion, no breaks following hit by pitch in Red Sox debut
Mead left the game in his second at-bat after striking out looking in the first inning so Sox fans haven't seen what he can do at the plate yet. He unseated Ceddanne Rafaela, the hero of the game, in the No. 2 spot after months, suggesting the Red Sox are optimistic he'll hit his stride quickly.
Mead batted .254/.352/.500 with 17 doubles, a triple, 17 home runs and 48 RBI over 87 games with the Nats. Mead's home run total is the second-most on the Red Sox between Willson Contreras (22) and Wilyer Abreu (15). His swing is well-suited to Fenway Park due to his right-handedness and 22.5 pull AIR percentage.
Had Mead's injury been serious, Boston's first trade deadline move would've been for naught, as there's just two months of season left. It also would've made it harder to accept the decision to send Connelly Early — who's been so reliable for the Sox in his young career — to Washington for him. Mead may not be in the lineup on July 28 or in the few days following, but the Red Sox expect him to be healthy and remain in the playoff hunt with them.
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