BOSTON (AP) -The Boston Red Sox put backup catcher Doug Mirabelli on the 15-day disabled list after he injured himself in the first game of a doubleheader Friday, the biggest in a series of moves designed to bolster the team for the pennant race.
Outfielder Wily Mo Pena was traded to the Washington Nationals for a player to be named. Right-hander Clay Buccholz was called up to start the first game against the Los Angeles Angels, which Boston won 8-4, then was sent back down for the nightcap.
With those roster spots, the Red Sox called up outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury and catcher Kevin Cash from Triple-A Pawtucket.
Jason Varitek took Mirabelli’s place in the game against the Los Angeles Angels, which Boston won 8-4. There were no other catchers on the Red Sox roster.
Boston manager Terry Francona said earlier he didn’t want Varitek playing both games of a doubleheader.
“That’s not going to work this time of year. That’s why we’ve got two catchers,” Francona said.
Mirabelli hurt himself running the bases. He hit an RBI double and later scored on Alex Cora’s double, giving Boston a 6-1 lead. He went straight to the clubhouse after he scored.
Mirabelli is Tim Wakefield’s personal catcher; the knuckleballer’s regular turn in the rotation is Sunday. Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein said it hadn’t been determined if Cash, who has experience catching knuckleballers in the minors, would fill the same role.
Before the doubleheader, Francona said he hadn’t decided who would start Sunday. The Red Sox play Monday night at Tampa Bay and Wakefield is 17-2 against the Devil Rays – the most wins by a Tampa Bay opponent – and 8-0 at Tropicana Field.
Mirabelli began the day hitting .204 with five home runs and 15 RBIs in 42 games this season.
Pena was a backup for the AL East-leading Red Sox, batting .218 with five home runs and 17 RBIs in 73 games. He was acquired from the Cincinnati Reds in 2006 for pitcher Bronson Arroyo.
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Associated Press Writer Ken Maguire contributed to this story.
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