Ryan Sweeney has been dealing with a toe issue as of late, and with Ryan Kalish tearing up the minors since returning from his shoulder and neck surgeries, the Red Sox decided to give Sweeney time to rest on the disabled list. A few weeks ago, this would have meant more Marlon Byrd around, but he's been designated and released, and Kalish has shown that there's nothing off with his timing at the plate, despite the long layoff.

Kalish has hit .378/.477/.757 with four homers in 44 plate appearances at Triple-A Pawtucket, and with Byrd gone and Sweeney out, he'll likely play daily for the next couple of weeks. Kalish was last in the majors in 2010, during Boston's last emergency with injured outfielders, and produced a .252/.305/.405 line that can only be loved when you consider he was all of 22, and not quite ready for the majors.

It's unknown if he's ready these days, given the lost year in 2011, but there's a need, and he's been hitting. With any luck, he'll produce at a level that makes sending him back down a difficult proposition.