When Marcelo Mayer went down with a wrist sprain and hit the 10-day injured list (retroactive to the 24th), it was a sure sign that another infielder would be headed up to Boston to cover his rangy defensive capabilities.
Sure enough, Alex Cora and Co. brought up reinforcements, but the selection of David Hamilton over other available infield support has felt like a very questionable roster move. The Sox could have recalled Kristian Campbell, who was sent down in June to hammer out regression issues (and coinciding with Wilyer Abreu’s return), or brought Vaughn Grissom up, a high-profile acquisition last year, who hasn’t stepped into the Fenway batter’s box yet this season.
Grissom is batting .281 this year in Worcester with 12 home runs, nine stolen bases, and an .809 OPS. Injuries and illness hampered his progression in 2024 while Chris Sale flourished in Atlanta, ultimately claiming the NL Cy Young Award in his first season after leaving Boston. The infielder is doing everything he can this season to prove himself to the Boston brass, seemingly to no avail. His frustration is palpable, and comments after Hamilton’s call-up suggest that the tension may be boiling over.
Vaughn Grissom’s Red Sox frustrations show after recent roster snub
Vaughn Grissom today: “I don’t really expect much more opportunity here just because decisions that were made were made, and it kind of didn’t involve me. I mean, all those decisions, they make sense in a way, but I guess it sucks a little bit."https://t.co/YpsL9vaF8o
— Katie Morrison-O'Day (@KatieMo61) July 29, 2025
Unfortunately for the Red Sox front office, Grissom seems to have a point.
“I don’t really expect much more opportunity here,” he vented.
In the almost week since Mayer left the field, Grissom has belted three home runs and seven RBIs, with a stolen base to top things off. His average in July is .348 and he has struck out just seven times in 66 at-bats. There isn’t much more the infielder, who has been willing to take up first base as well, can do to prove himself. On the other hand, Hamilton has featured in two games since his call-up, including an 0-4 showing on Tuesday.
The leadership in Boston hasn’t been known for its transparency, candor, or communication this season. The Rafael Devers debacle has been turned down to a low simmer, but the breakdown is likely still stewing in the background for players like Grissom, who appear to have made a strong case for a call-up, only to continue waiting in the wings. Meanwhile, Grissom continues to mash in Triple-A, making all of us in the stands and on our couches wonder what the long-term vision might be.