OAKLAND — The question was about Andres Torres, the veteran outfielder working out with short-season Lowell, and there wasn’t much of an update on the center fielder’s progress.
So John Farrell brought up Mookie Betts instead.
“I know Mookie Betts is swinging the bat well — not to create anything,” Farrell said.
Betts is indeed swinging the bat well for Pawtucket, with a remarkable game-winning single on Friday night to cap off a 10-pitch duel with Heath Bell with two outs in the ninth inning. In 17 games since being promoted to Triple-A Pawtucket, Betts is hitting .324 with a .403 on-base percentage. He hasn’t stopped hitting in the last 14 months.
Betts has also added significantly to his defensive versatility over the last month, playing the majority of his games in center field. Farrell suggested he could see time in right field as well.
“In center field, all reports are that the reads and the routes are good,” Farrell said. “We’re not ready to anoint him a regular center fielder or a regular outfielder. His athleticism certainly plays there.”
There’s no timetable for another promotion for Betts, but Boston’s flagging offense could use a spark.
“The fact he’s in Triple-A means he’s clearly on the radar,” said Farrell. “He’s doing everything he can to put himself on that track…. I’m not suggesting anything, other than that we recognize and watch what he’s doing daily.”
If Farrell won’t suggest it, we will. There exists a plausible scenario in which Betts is promoted rather soon, perhaps as quickly as Sunday. With
Brandon Workmansuspended through Monday, the Red Sox are playing a man short, with 24 active players. They’ve maintained 12 pitchers, meaning their bench has been reduced to just three.
Farrell said he’s OK with that given the circumstances, but Boston could remedy that situation by optioning pitcher
Rubby De La Rosa after his start Saturday. With Workman set to come off his suspension and with
Clay Buchholz ready to come off the disabled list, the chances of De La Rosa making his next turn in the rotation seem slim.
So the Red Sox could send De La Rosa down and recall a bat from the minors. It can’t be
Garin Cecchini, since he was just optioned Friday. It could be Alex Hassan, who’s lit up Triple-A since his major-league cameo and who is already on the 40-man roster.
Or the Red Sox could look for a spark by promoting Betts. After Grady Sizemore was designated, they don’t even need to make room for Betts on the 40-man. It could be a temporary move, with
Shane Victorino due back later in the week.
Boston’s offense could obviously use a kick, and Betts possesses the diverse toolset to contribute, with a terrific approach at the plate and speed on the bases.
The Red Sox are facing lefty Tommy Milone Sunday; they’ve lost their last six games against southpaw starters. (They will see a trio of right-handers in Seattle.) Boston has shown a tendency to promote top prospects on the road, as it did last season with
Xander Bogaerts in San Francisco.