MLB Player News

Red Sox infielder Xander Bogaerts will see time at both third and short, according to the Providence Journal.

With Stephen Drew rejoining the club, Bogaerts will move around the diamond. Bogaerts will play third base against righties, and will move to short against some lefties. He may be in a bit of a platoon role at both third and short once Will Middlebrooks returns, though that's not 100 percent clear at this time. 

Bogaerts is hitting .269 through 145 at-bats.

With second baseman Omar Infante going on the DL, the Royals called up infielder Pedro Ciriaco from Triple-A Omaha. He's appeared in one game for the Royals this year.

Red Sox manager John Farrell believes Xander Bogaerts may be chasing pitches that aren't in the strike zone. However, Bogaerts believes he's been unlucky at the plate lately, the Boston Herald reports.

"I've got a few at-bats where I've hit the ball hard right at someone," Bogaerts said. "In Toronto, I hit into a double play with a runner on second on a hard-hit ball. When it ain't falling, it ain't falling. But (the hits) are right around the corner. They're coming. It's a matter of time, man, once it all turns around."

The rookie shortstop has just four hits in his last 32 at-bats, with eight strikeouts with runners in scoring position. He is hitting .268 with one home run and five RBI in 112 at-bats.

Red Sox rookie shortstop Xander Bogaerts has been given the night off for the Wednesday clash against Cincinnati. Jonathan Herrera has taken his place.

Bogaerts has been steady at the plate in recent weeks. He's hit safely in all but three games since April 16 and owns a stat line of .268/.357/.379.

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.