Danny Jansen to make history as Red Sox embark on doubleheader vs. Blue Jays, WooSox hurler recalled and southpaw DFA'd
The Red Sox will look to put the three-game sweep at the hands of the DBacks this past weekend in the rearview mirror. Boston will embark on an unusual five-game series on Monday afternoon by playing two games with Toronto Blue Jays, beginning at 2:05 p.m. at Fenway Park.
The reason for the doubleheader is because torrential rains downpoured on Boston on June 26, when the Blue Jays were in town. The game was postponed in the second inning, and because of that, Danny Jansen will make history.
When the game was halted, Jansen was then a catcher for the Blue Jays and was at the plate. Prior to the trade deadline, the Red Sox acquired him in a four-player swap. On Monday afternoon, when the game resumes, Jansen will be behind the plate for the team he used to play for two months ago.
Jansen will be the first player in Major League Baseball history to be scheduled to hit and catch in the same game for both teams. Obviously, the Blue Jays will have to pinch-hit for Jansen.
“I was completely surprised, kind of, when I heard that I was going to be the first one,” he said.
Jansen was down in the count 0-1 against then-Boston starter Kutter Crawford. The catcher is 0 for his last 10 with two walks.
The Red Sox made a series of changes for Monday’s game: Crawford will not be on the mound for Boston, and Nick Pivetta will pitch in the first game of the series.
Pivetta hasn’t pitched particularly well at home this season, posting a 5.27 ERA in eight starts. In his career against the Blue Jays, Pivetta is 3-4 with a 5.23 ERA in 16 games (14 starts). Due to this being a continued game, this is technically a relief appearance for Pivetta. It will be his first relief appearance since Sept. 2, 2023, when he faced the Royals and tossed three innings.
Jansen enters for Reese McGuire at catcher because he is now with the WooSox. Ceddanne Rafaela moves to shortstop and David Hamilton slides to second base where Enmanuel Valdez was initially playing. Valdez is also back with the WooSox and currently on the restricted list awaiting the birth of his child. Finally, Triston Casas is in the lineup for Dom Smith at first base. Smith was released last week and is now a member of the Reds.
With his 200th career homer in the series finale loss against the DBacks, Rafael Devers has now recorded 466 career extra base hits, passing Hall of Famer Adrián Beltré (465) for the second most by a Dominican-born player prior to turning 28 years old.
Casas, who will hit eighth on Monday, has gone 12-for-35 with two homers since he was activated off the 60-day injured list on Aug. 16.
The Red Sox recalled right-handed pitcher Brad Keller from Triple-A Worcester. To make room for him on the 26-man roster, left-handed reliever Joely Rodriguez was designated for assignment.
Keller rejoined the Red Sox organization after he became a free agent on Aug. 13. He would re-sign the following day. The righty has recorded a 5.30 ERA in 15 games this season, including two starts between the White Sox and Red Sox. While with the WooSox, Keller has primarily started and owns a 3.00 ERA in nine games. His last appearance came on Friday, when he pitched two innings of scoreless relief for starter Rich Hill.
Rodriguez was designated for assignment for the second time this season; he has posted a 5.93 ERA in 14 games for the Red Sox. He has a 1.88 ERA with 13 strikeouts in 13 games for Triple-A Worcester.
Boston enters Monday sitting 4.5 games out in the race for the third and final Wild Card spot in the American League.
Red Sox vs. Ryan Burr (0-1, 5.12 ERA): Jansen 0-2, Devers 1-1, Gonzalez 0-1.
Blue Jays vs. Pivetta: Ernie Clement 2-3, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 8-34, Alejandro Kirk 4-12, Davis Schneider 2-7, George Springer 11-30, Daulton Varsho 4-11.
Red Sox (67-62) lineup vs. the Blue Jays (63-68):
Jarren Duran CF
David Hamilton 2B
Wilyer Abreu RF
Rafael Devers 3B
Rob Refsnyder LF
Masataka Yoshida DH
Danny Jansen C
Triston Casas 1B
Ceddanne Rafaela SS
SP: RHP Nick Pivetta (5-8, 4.70 ERA)
The first pitch is at 2:05 p.m. and can be seen on NESN, FuboTV, or Sling, and it can be heard on WEEI 93.7 FM.
