That was fun while it lasted!
So I guess we can forget about that whole “Kristian Campbell is going to play first thing.” The series against the Braves came and went without Campbell donning a first baseman’s mitt last weekend, after which Romy Gonzalez was activated from the IL and immediately placed into the starting lineup. Campbell will continue to work out at first, but is now being considered only as an emergency option. (Alex Speier, Peter Abraham, Boston Globe)
But that doesn’t mean that the Sox won’t have some more shuffling around the infield. The Trevor Story situation is becoming untenable. (Jen McCaffrey, The Athletic)
Speaking of dudes coming off the IL, can I interest you in a little Kutter Crawford action? Crawford has been down in Fort Myers throwing live batting practice sessions, stretching himself out for a starter’s workload (don’t read too much into that; that’s likely how the Red Sox would handle his rehab even if they planned on sending him to the bullpen). The Sox plan on sending him out on a rehab assignment by the end of the week. (Christopher Smith, MassLive)
If Crawford’s rehab takes him to Portland, he can check in on the organization’s hottest pitching prospect. David Sandlin, who is now regularly hitting the upper 90s, just threw a seven-inning complete game shutout, and was subsequently named the Eastern League Pitcher of the Week. (Christopher Smith, MassLive)
Sandlin is way too young to be penciled in as a future ace, but luckily the Red Sox already have one of those in Garrett Crochet. (Rob Bradford, WEEI)
In fact, Crochet is projected to be the fourth best pitcher in all of baseball for the remainder of the season (do yourself a favor and don’t look at who falls at number five on the list). (Eno Sarris, The Athletic)