Getting ready for the big series in the Bronx
NEW YORK - The Red Sox's first base position is going to look different heading into the final five weeks of the regular season.
According to a source, the team is designating Abraham Toro for assignment and calling up David Hamilton. The Athletic was first to report the news.
The move with Toro frees up playing time at first base for newly-acquired Nathaniel Lowe, who introduced himself to his new team Tuesday with a game-tying, ninth-inning homer against the Orioles.
Toro had done a solid job helping hold down the position, both offensively and defensively, since Triston Casas' season-ending injury, primarily playing against right-handed pitching with Romy Gonzalez getting the nod vs. lefties. For the season, Toro hit .239 with a .659 OPS and seven home runs.
The switch-hitter's production, however, had dropped significantly over the past two months, having culminated in a 7-for-51 (.137) stretch in August. Since July 1, Toro hit just .185 with an OPS of .506.
Toro had also been serving as the backup third baseman since Marcelo Mayer's wrist injury, playing the position in 16 games. It's a role Hamilton is expected to be taking over.