August 16, 2007
...
No game scheduled ...
Although the major league debut of Clay Buchholz is garnering the
headlines, the pitcher isn't the only member of the Pawtucket Red Sox
heading to Boston. Outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury should be added to the
roster today, likely for the second game of a day-night doubleheader
against the Angels.
Though
Ellsbury's stay is not expected to be lengthy, he has earned more time with the
Red Sox, given his hitting of late. Since coming off the disabled list (injured
groin) Aug. 5, the left-handed-hitting Ellsbury has gone 21 for 51 (.412) with a
12-game hitting streak. The Red Sox will face right-handed starters the next
three games against the Angels.
To free up
the roster spot for Buchholz (and then for Ellsbury, when Buchholz is sent back
to the PawSox after the first game), the most likely scenario is a change of
scenery for Wily Mo Pena, who is expected to be traded or designated for
assignment today. Pena, who came from Cincinnati in a trade for Bronson Arroyo
before last season, hardly panned out the way the front office expected. After
hitting .301 in 276 at-bats, with 11 home runs, in 2006, Pena is 34 for 156
(.218) this season. He has hit five home runs despite his prodigious power. Pena
has had trouble hitting off-speed pitches and playing defense. If Pena is
designated for assignment, the Red Sox will have 10 days to trade him, release
him, or send him to the minors. They can only send Pena to the minors if he
accepts the assignment, as Joel Pineiro did earlier this season before he was
traded to the Cardinals.
David Ortiz
has hit .267 with a .382 on-base percentage and a .453 slugging percentage in 19
games since he injured his left shoulder sliding into second base. The numbers
overall? Ortiz has a .311 batting average, .424 OBP, and .543 slugging
percentage. Since he received a cortisone shot in the shoulder in Anaheim,
Calif., Ortiz is hitting .174, with a .296 OBP and a .261 slugging percentage.
