BOSTON – In the aftermath of Saturday’s win, the Red Sox sent Ryan Hanigan (neck strain) and Blake Swihart (left ankle sprain) to the 15-day disabled list, while also optioning Noe Ramirez back to AAA.
The club called up outfielder Rusney Castillo, catcher Sandy Leon and right-hander Heath Hembree to replace them.
Swihart suffered his injury in an attempt to catch a fly ball in the seventh inning of Saturday’s game along the left field wall in foul ground.
"We do know that he's dealing with asprained ankle, first and foremost," John Farrell said prior to Sunday's game. "But to what extent if there's anything else, involved, that's yet to be determined."
According to John Farrell in Saturday’s postgame press conference, Hanigan was battling neck discomfort prior to the game. The Red Sox are awaiting his MRI results from Sunday morning.
“[Hanigan] has been dealing with the neck strain, and that continued to tighten throughout the day,” Farrell said following Boston’s 6-4 win over Toronto.
This is Castillo’s third stint with the big league club, going 2-4 in his limited play. He’s currently batting .245 in his time at AAA Pawtucket. Farrell plabns to start Chris Young in Swihart's place, with Castillo serving as the reserve outfielder.
Boston Red Sox
Leon makes his return to the majors for the first time in 2016. Leon, known more for his defense, has hit .243 for Pawtucket this season. The Red Sox plan to use Leon similarly to using Hanigan, but haven't said if he or Christian Vazquez will catch Steven Wright.
"Either guy can catch Steven," Farrell said. "I wouldn't anticipate that [Vazquez's] number of games caught will increase. We still have to do what's right by Christian, and that's understanding a full year was missed and we have to build him back."
Hembree was sent to Pawtucket 5/30 to make room for Eduardo Rodriguez after the righty posted a 2.14 for Boston in 21 innings, and already striking out a career high 18 strikeouts from the bullpen.
"He's pitched very effectively for us," Farrell said on Hembree. "To have his fresh arm back in the bullpen, [and] much like Matt Barnes, the two inning capability goes a long way with us."
Nick Friar can be followed on Twitter: @ngfriar