So Marcelo Mayer’s debut didn’t quite the way he would have liked, going 0-4 with three strikeouts. But it was a memorable day nonetheless, featuring a standing ovation, a new position, and a scramble to find car keys he’d lost several weeks before. (Alex Speier, Boston Globe)
Mayer was in Boston, of course, because Alex Bregman’s injury is worse than expected. While he seemed pretty sanguine about what was described simply as “quad tightness” on Friday, an MRI yesterday revealed a severe quad strain. There is no timetable for his return yet, but a similar injury he suffered in 2001 kept him out nearly 10 weeks. (Peter Abraham, Boston Globe)
But Mayer alone will likely not be sufficient to get the Red Sox going. The Sox still need to figure out how to better optimize the talent on the roster. (Rob Bradford, WEEI)
Mayer isn’t going to be the only new face in the Red Sox clubhouse this week. After a week that saw some heavy bullpen usage, Alex Cora is hinting that some pitching moves will be made. Sean Newcomb has already been DFA’d with Luis Guerrero taking his spot. (Christopher Smith, MassLive)
…And Guerrero immediately came into last night’s game and displayed control problems. (Adam London, NESN)