MLB Player News

Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts has been great with the bases empty. He is batting .328 with a .438 on-base percentage when he steps to the plate with no runners on base.

The only issue is that he struggles with runners on base, particularly with runners in scoring position. He is batting just .125 with a .188 slugging percentage and four RBI with runners in scoring position through 26 games. Despite his struggles in this area, Bogaerts' confidence is not shaken.

"What’s going on right now is that things aren’t falling," Bogaerts said, per WEEI.com. "The hits aren’t coming when I need them, but it’ll turn around. You can’t keep a good man down for too long."

Hitting coach Greg Colbrunn feels Bogaerts is performing well at the plate despite his struggles in clutch at-bats.

"He’s doing well overall," Colbrunn said. "He’s swinging the bat good, seeing a lot of pitches and drawing walks. He might be pressing just a little with runners in scoring position, but for the most part, he’s stayed within himself and we’re going to continue to do what we’re doing and just try to concentrate on keeping positive."

The Red Sox's faith in shortstop Xander Bogaerts has not wavered despite a slow start offensively and some struggles on the defensive end.

"Every player has their strengths, every player has things they need to work on a little more," Red Sox assistant general manager Mike Hazen said, per ESPN. "There’s that sliding scale. Bogie has some things he has to work on, being in the league for the first time. We also think there are so many strengths he brings to the table, he’s going to bring those out too. 

"I think he’s made a lot of progress in a lot of areas. The consistency on the routine play has been excellent, I think, overall. But we all knew there were going to be challenges, growing pains with some of these things."

The Red Sox have not re-engaged contract talks with free agent shortstop Stephen Drew, a major-league source told WEEI.com.

Even with third baseman Will Middlebrooks on the disabled list with a calf strain and shortstop Xander Bogaerts struggling defensively in April, Boston did not stray from its long-term plans of committing to a starting left side of the infield featuring the duo, the source added.

Red Sox infielder Xander Bogaerts was back in the starting lineup Sunday against the Blue Jays.

Bogaerts missed Saturday's game with flu-like symptoms, but is ready to go Sunday. He'll hit seventh and play short in his return. Bogaerts is hitting .277 in 83 at-bats.

Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts is dealing with the flu Saturday.

Bogaerts was not listed in the team's starting lineup, and will take a day to recover. He should return to action soon, and is considered day-to-day.

Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts is not in the team's starting lineup Saturday.

Bogaerts will be replaced by Jonathan Herrera at short. It's assumed to be a normal day of rest for Bogaerts. He should return to the starting lineup Sunday.

Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts is not in the team's starting lineup Saturday.

It's the first game Bogaerts has missed all season. He's hitting .271 in 59 at-bats. Bogaerts will be replaced by Jonathan Herrera at short.

The impending return of Shane Victorino from the disabled list will provide John Farrell intriguing lineup options.

Victorino will almost certainly be plugged back into the second hole, but Farrell might place emerging Xander Bogaerts into the leadoff spot rather than move him down. That would result in Dustin Pedroia batting third.

That lineup would give the Red Sox a right-left-right configuration at the top of the order that Farrell covets, according to ESPN.

Bogaerts has earned consideration to take over the leadoff spot with an on-base percentage of .397.

It took 16 games, but Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts finally put one over the fences Thursday night against the White Sox.

Bogaerts took Chicago ace deep in the sixth inning for a solo home run. He finished 1 for 3 with one run scored and one RBI in a 3-1 win. He is hitting .268/.397/.357 with two RBI in 56 at-bats.

Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts went 0 for 3 with a walk in his team's 4-2 win over the Yankees Friday.

Boagerts has gone hitless in three of his last four games, but he's still posted a solid .289/.400/.342 line in 38 at-bats thanks to his ability to draw a walk. He has yet to hit a homer or drive in a run this season.