BOSTON — It’s unclear exactly how the Red Sox will replace injured first baseman Triston Casas on a long-term basis. For now, though, they’re turning to someone with experience for depth at the position.
Boston called up versatile veteran infielder Abraham Toro before Saturday’s game against Minnesota and placed Casas on the 10-day injured list with a left patellar tendon rupture. Also, lefty Brennan Bernardino, who was on bereavement leave, was activated from the bereavement list and righty Luis Guerrero was optioned to Triple-A Worcester.
Toro was not on the 40-man roster so his contract was selected by the Red Sox. The 40-man roster is now full. Toro will wear No. 29. The expectation is that Casas will be moved to the 60-day IL eventually.
Casas was stretchered off the Fenway Park field in the second inning of Friday’s win after a collision at first base. It’s unknown how long he’ll be out but the Red Sox are bracing for a significant absence. Details were scarce Friday night but it’s clear now that the first baseman did suffer a rupture of the patellar tendon, the tendon that connects the knee cap to the tibia bone.
Toro, 28, is a veteran of 365 big league games over six seasons with Houston, Seattle, Milwaukee and Oakland. He signed a minor league deal with the Red Sox in late January and after spending spring training in big league camp, started the year in Triple-A, where he hit .323 with two homers, seven doubles and a .917 OPS in 27 games.
Toro has logged time at first base, second base and third base so far for Worcester, including 44 innings at first. In the big leagues, he has primarily played second and third but has 90 career innings at first base, including 30 last year with the A’s. He has also appeared sparingly in both corner outfield spots and is a career .220 hitter with a .638 OPS in the majors.
Toro, who will split playing time with Romy Gonzalez for now, got the call over other internal options like Nick Sogard and Vaughn Grissom, who are on both on the 40-man roster and could factor into the mix at first eventually. Boston could also look externally to replace Casas or, in a less likely scenario, begin working out Rafael Devers at first base. Connor Wong, Rob Refsnyder and Carlos Narváez might be mixed in, too.
Before the injury, Casas was hitting .184 with three homers, 11 RBIs and a .585 OPS in 28 games. He had started 26 of the first 33 games at first base with Romy Gonzalez mixing in for the other seven.
In the bullpen, the Red Sox will now have four lefties with Bernardino, who spent the last three days on the bereavement list, rejoining Sean Newcomb, Justin Wilson and closer Aroldis Chapman. Guerrero, who has pitched well in a short big league stint, was the victim of a numbers crunch necessitated by the healthy return of starter Lucas Giolito.
Bernardino, in his third season in a Red Sox uniform, has pitched well so far, posting a 2.45 ERA in 11 innings of relief. He has allowed eight runs (but just three earned) while allowing seven hits and striking out 10 batters. The 33-year-old was placed on the bereavement list Wednesday and a decision needed to be made Saturday.
Guerrero struggled with command in spring training and didn’t make the Opening Day roster but has struck out three and allowed just one hit in four scoreless innings since being called up on April 24. He has a 5.23 ERA in 10 ⅓ innings for the WooSox this season.
