Sogard will start at shortstop and bat eighth in Wednesday's game against the Royals.

Sogard will pick up his third consecutive start, this time facing off against a lefty (Cole Ragans) after his prior two starts came versus right-handed pitching. Tyler O'Neill missed both of those two matchups against righties and had been viewed as day-to-day until he was placed on the injured list Wednesday with an infection in his left lower leg. With O'Neill now in line for at least a week-long absence, Sogard could have an opportunity to see continued reps versus righties after opening his big-league career with five hits and two walks through his first 18 plate appearances. However, the Red Sox brought back the left-handed-hitting Enmanuel Valdez from Triple-A Worcester in a corresponding move Wednesday, and he could challenge Sogard for O'Neill's vacant spot in the lineup versus righties.