Hours before their April 29 series finale against the Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox fans got word that the team had called Nate Eaton up from Triple-A Worcester. The announcement came without a corresponding move and fans wondered what to expect.
Some fans theorized that Marcelo Mayer could be headed back to the injured list with a wrist issue. But the move Boston announced is one of the few that could be worse: Garrett Crochet has been placed on the IL.
Boston's ace has been placed on the 15-day IL with shoulder inflammation, retroactive to April 26, according to Tim Healey of The Boston Globe and many other sources. Eaton is the immediate corresponding move for Crochet, but top pitching prospect Jake Bennett had been held out of his start on April 28 because Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy hoped to "keep his rotation options open," in Healey's words. Now, fans know he had an open spot.
Some Sox fans may not be surprised to see Crochet hit the IL, as many were concerned about his health earlier this season. Crochet struggled in his April 1 start against the Houston Astros and made the worst start of his major league career against the Minnesota Twins two weeks later. Even a great six-inning outing against the Baltimore Orioles on April 25 couldn't help his ERA recover much, and he still carries a 6.30 metric and a 1.47 WHIP on 30 innings of work.
Red Sox place Garrett Crochet on the 15-day IL, summon Nate Eaton to take his roster spot in series finale against Blue Jays
Pitcher injuries are obviously never ideal — especially ones to an ace — but the Red Sox's rotation is in a tough situation now. Johan Oviedo and Sonny Gray are both on the IL with an elbow and hamstring strain, respectively. Kutter Crawford and Patrick Sandoval have also had their rehab assignments delayed due to new injuries and Triple-A starter Tyler Uberstine is also out with shoulder soreness.
With any luck, Eaton may be able to give the Red Sox's offense — which plated zero runs on April 28 — the shot in the arm it needs to take their first series against the Blue Jays. Eaton is batting .292/.373/.458 with 25 strikeouts, 12 walks and 12 RBI over 27 games in Triple-A. Eaton isn't in Boston's starting lineup against Eric Lauer.
Bennett, a top pitching prospect acquired from the Washington Nationals in a one-for-one trade for Luis Perales, has posted a 0.86 ERA with 16 strikeouts and three walks over 21 innings. Those 21 innings are his only Triple-A experience, and Bennett has never appeared in the major leagues. He's likely to be selected to start against the Houston Astros at Fenway Park on May 1.
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