The Red Sox have decided to switch up their roster as they try to maneuver out of a rough start to the season.
The defending World Series champions have activated catcher Sandy Leon and designated catcher Blake Swihart for assignment, the team announced Tuesday.
Prior to tonight’s game against the New York Yankees, the Boston #RedSox announced the following roster moves: pic.twitter.com/ftRwcgWosV
— Boston Red Sox (@RedSox) April 16, 2019
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Leon's primary purpose in returning from Triple-A Pawtucket will be to catch ace Chris Sale, who has struggled mightily in 2019. In three starts, he has an abysmal 9.00 ERA and is winless as he takes the mound Tuesday at Yankee Stadium.
Sale and fellow starter Rick Porcello prefer Leon behind home plate. While Leon, who was the odd catcher out at the end of spring training, wasn't a huge offensive power last season, he led catchers in 2018 with a 3.29 catcher's ERA in 89 games.
Christian Vazquez has been Boston's primary starting catcher this season.
Swihart, a first-round pick in 2011 and once a top prospect in the Red Sox farm system, has struggled with injuries since making his MLB debut in 2015. In 203 games with the Red Sox, he has slashed .255/.314/.365 with nine homers and 58 RBIs.
The Red Sox are tied for last place in the AL East at 6-11 heading into Tuesday's game against the Yankees (6-9).