Youkilis In Lineup, But Shealy On The Way

by Ben Buchanan on Jul 7, 2010 2:53 PM EDT in News

UPDATE: Niuman Romero has been designated for assignment.

Kevin Youkilis is back in his traditional spot at cleanup in the Red Sox lineup tonight, a day after leaving the game with a sudden case of right ankle pain. But the Red Sox aren't taking any chances of having a backup middle infielder try to hit for a first baseman again, and have called on Triple-A first baseman Ryan Shealy to head down to Florida in case Youkilis can't play.

"We need to be prepared for the chance that maybe he shows up and he's not quite feeling as good as he says, so we're trying to prepare for that," Francona told WEEI. "We definitely have some moving parts."

Shealy has split time between the Triple-A teams of both the Red Sox, and their opponents tonight, the Rays in 2010. He's currently hitting .240/.361/.489 season with something of a three-true-outcomes profile. Shealy has a career Major League line of .271/.335/.429, but hasn't played since 2008 with the Royals.

Presumably Niuman Romero would be the odd man out in the case of Shealy being activated.

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OK, I guess this makes sense. Only option they really have. At least they have that backup 1B ive been calling for for weeks.

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by bestbostonsports on Jul 7, 2010 3:48 PM EDT reply actions

That insurance has always been Papi

He CAN play first. It may not be pretty but luckily first isn’t too demanding defensively. However with Youk potentially hurt they need back up to the back up. I’d really just prefer they move Papi to first should Youk actually be unable to play and let one of the OFers like Cameron DH, Shealy, Romero, Patterson etc should be in the lineup as little as humanly possible.

"We are not normal, We are Legends. People will tell their kids about us." - Deon Butler before Ohio State Game 2008.

by Rogue Nine on Jul 7, 2010 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions

I like the Shealy call up.
But who is taken off the 40-man?

by bestbostonsports on Jul 7, 2010 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Buchanan speculated that it would be Niuman Romero.

by qortra on Jul 7, 2010 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Possibly. But good to have a guy like him on the 40-man. You might be shocked to hear me of all people say this, but it might be right to take Bates off the 40-man. You dont need two AAAA 1B on the 40-man.

by bestbostonsports on Jul 7, 2010 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Now that you approve of it...

Never gonna happen.

"We are not normal, We are Legends. People will tell their kids about us." - Deon Butler before Ohio State Game 2008.

by Rogue Nine on Jul 7, 2010 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Just an idea

by bestbostonsports on Jul 7, 2010 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Ellsbury to 60-day DL makes sense.

He’s already been gone about 45.

USG

by Ben Buchanan on Jul 7, 2010 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions

You are right

by bestbostonsports on Jul 7, 2010 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed

What you say makes sense. If Youk can’t go put Papi at first and let Cam DH. Anyone think if Youk does start we should slide him down in the order in case he can’t finish? Let Drew bat 3rd and Papi bat cleanup. This way we won’t have a repeat of last night.

by Fenway302 on Jul 7, 2010 3:55 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Drew aint playing

by bestbostonsports on Jul 7, 2010 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions

I think if Youk plays he HAS to be behind Papi with Drew out. Beltre though could also provide some protection. But we really can’t have the pitchers IBB Papi to get to one of the infinite list of scrubs we have on the team right now for the easy out.

"We are not normal, We are Legends. People will tell their kids about us." - Deon Butler before Ohio State Game 2008.

by Rogue Nine on Jul 7, 2010 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions

That being said...

Isn’t it weird that Papi needs protection again? I thought he might have a decent season but man he’s been great and back to being that feared hitter he once was.

"We are not normal, We are Legends. People will tell their kids about us." - Deon Butler before Ohio State Game 2008.

by Rogue Nine on Jul 7, 2010 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions

I think Papi could play 1b if needed

But with the luck so far he’d get spiked in the heel as somebody tried to beat the throw to first

by brogshan on Jul 7, 2010 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions

I too spend most of my day figuring out for the rest of our players will get injured. This does seem likely with the horrendous luck we’ve been having.

"We are not normal, We are Legends. People will tell their kids about us." - Deon Butler before Ohio State Game 2008.

by Rogue Nine on Jul 7, 2010 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions

With Boston’s luck, he could be injured just DHing. Or while quietly lying in bed in the morning. You might as well put him somewhere useful until tragedy inevitably befalls him.

by qortra on Jul 7, 2010 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions

I also support

Caging Beltre in the clubhouse before all the games. Who knows what sort of danger is involved when he is walking free.

"We are not normal, We are Legends. People will tell their kids about us." - Deon Butler before Ohio State Game 2008.

by Rogue Nine on Jul 7, 2010 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Whatever, this whole Beltre thing is extremely unlikely anyway. The notion that he would have an .OPS of over .900 by the all-star break was simply laughable before the season started. My advice to whoever manages Beltre is to keep his routine meticulously constant. If he’s been brushing his teeth in the toilet and peeing in the sink for 4 months, keep doing that until the end of the season. Who knows, maybe this rash of injuries is just karma balancing out Beltre’s godlike performance.

by qortra on Jul 7, 2010 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Romero got DFA'd

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by BoldandBrash on Jul 7, 2010 6:42 PM EDT reply actions