NEW YORK -- This was not good news for the Red Sox.
While some may look at Steve Pearce heading to the injured list (back) as no big deal considering he was hitting just .180 with a .503 OPS. But this move does potentially present a problem.
The Red Sox have struggled against lefty pitching all season, hitting just .238 against southpaws, with Friday night's loss to the Yankees serving as the latest example (3-for-22 against southpaw JA Happ). Pearce was supposed to be part of that answer, and lately, he was. Since May 19 the first baseman was hitting .346 with a .938 OPS.
And with Mitch Moreland already on the injured list, Pearce's presence was going to be needed more than ever.
But now the Red Sox are without their two main first basemen, having to lean on rookie Michael Chavis and recently-promoted Sam Travis.
Slotting Chavis over at first would seem to be the seamless move, as Friday night suggested. But the righty hitter is managing just a .194 batting average against left-handed pitching. He is also needed at second base, where Brock Holt and Eduardo Nunez will be needed more than ever.
Holt, who can also man first base if needed, has been solid since returning from the injured list. Nunez, on the other hand, continued his season-long struggles Friday night by getting picked off second at the game's key juncture. He is hitting .207 with a .493 OPS.