It was not the Red Sox debut anyone dreamed of for Curtis Mead as the 25-year-old left with an apparent injury.
The Boston Red Sox made the first move of the trade deadline season on Saturday night, acquiring infielder Curtis Mead from the Washington Nationals. The 25-year-old made his Red Sox debut on Monday night, batting second and playing second base as the Red Sox kicked off a four-game series in West Sacramento, Calif. with the Athletics. It wasn’t the debut anyone dreamed of for Mead as he was removed from the game in the fifth inning with an apparent injury.
Here’s what you need to know:
What happened
Mead stepped to the plate against Athletics starter Jack Perkins to lead off the top of the fourth inning with Boston trailing 1-0. After chasing a first-pitch sweeper well out of the strike zone, Perkins doubled up on the pitch, missing outside to even the count 1-1. The right-hander attempted to come up and in with a 94 mph fastball, missing badly and hitting Mead in the wrist with the pitch.
The 25-year-old took his base, but Perkins retired first baseman Willson Contreras, right fielder Wilyer Abreu, and center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela in order, stranding him there.
Mead took his position in the home half of the fourth, but didn’t see any action in a scoreless inning for starter Payton Tolle. Perkins again kept the Boston bats quiet in the top half of the fifth inning, retiring the side in order.
As the Red Sox took the field for the bottom half of the inning, it was Anthony Seigler who trotted out to second base, replacing Mead in his Boston debut. NESN cameras caught the 25-year-old departing the field with trainers, favoring the wrist that was hit.
Mead finished his Red Sox debut going 0-for-1 after striking out looking in his first plate appearance in the first inning.
The Red Sox acquired Mead in exchange for Connelly Early in a late-night deal with the Nationals on Saturday. The 25-year-old infielder is breaking out in a big way at the plate in his fourth big league season, hitting .256/.351/.505/.856 with 17 home runs and 48 RBI in 86 games for Washington.
In other Red Sox news
To make room on the 26-man roster for Mead, the Red Sox optioned shortstop Tsung-Che Cheng to Triple-A Worcester. In 14 games for Boston, Cheng hit .256/.318/.282/.600 while providing strong defense at shortstop. After optioning the 25-year-old to Triple-A, Andruw Monasterio becomes the lone shortstop on the Boston roster. According to Tim Healey of the Boston Globe, interim manager Chad Tracy told reporters ahead of Monday's series opener that third baseman Caleb Durbin could fill in at the position if need be.
The Red Sox are 54-50 and in third place in the American League East.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION
Remember to join our RED SOX on ROUNDTABLE community, which is FREE! You can post your own thoughts, in text or video form, and you can engage with our Roundtable staff, as well as other Red Sox fans. If prompted to download the Roundtable APP, that's free too!
