Versatile new Red Sox infielder Pablo Reyes collects two hits in Red Sox debut
The Red Sox acquired Pablo Reyes on Friday from the Oakland Athletics for cash considerations. On Saturday afternoon, he was starting at second base in front of a sold out capacity crowd at Fenway Park.
It didn’t take very long for Reyes to pay off dividends for his new team. In his first at-bat, the right-handed hitter was faced off against Cardinals left-lander Steven Matz in the bottom of the third inning. Reyes pounded a wall-ball double with one out. He later scored on a Rob Refsnyder double, which marked his fifth multi-RBI game of the season.
The versatile Reyes wasn’t done tormenting Matz, he picked up his second hit of the game with a single in the fifth inning.
Reyes finished the game 2-for-3 in his team debut. The 29-year-old is expected to platoon with left-handed hitting infielder Enmanuel Valdez.
Boston has been in the trade market for a right-handed hitting middle infielder the last few weeks. Bobby Dalbec had been serving in that role, but he’s not a traditional middle infielder. Dalbec was optioned to Triple-A Worcester on Friday to make room for Reyes.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora can utilize Reyes’ versatility all over the infield and even the outfield if necessary. The Dominican native is expected to serve mostly as middle infield depth.
“He has experience playing up the middle,” said manager Cora of Reyes to reporters, including Julian McWilliams of the Boston Globe. “That’s something we took into consideration, especially late in games. We know Bobby can make plays and all that but he doesn’t have experience up the middle. Towards the end of the game, it’s not that I was hesitant but I feel more comfortable with [Reyes], who plays the position.”
Reyes has played 47 innings at shortstop and 54 2/3 innings at second base during his big league career. The new Red Sox infielder offers Boston a player who has experience playing up the middle, which is something Dalbec lacks.
Follow Chris on Twitter @ChrisHenrique
For additional Red Sox, Bruins, Patriots, MLB and NFL content follow Beyond the Monster on Twitter @BeyondtheMnstr.
