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June 3, 2008
With David Ortiz (torn tendon sheath in his left wrist) having to go on the disabled list, the Red Sox had to fill his spot on the roster.
One likely candidate for recall was outfielder Brandon Moss, who had been stinging the ball for the PawSox since returning about a week ago after an appendectomy on May 3. Moss was the International League's batter of the week this past week, when he clubbed four homers, including three in one game, and batted .400
The Sox, though, chose Chris Carter, a 25-year-old outfielder/first baseman, who also has been on a tear for Pawtucket. Carter came to the Sox' organization last Aug. 21, completing a trade that sent Wily Mo Pena to the Washington Nationals. Carter was batting .316 with 10 homers and 35 RBI in 56 games for Pawtucket this season.
Today marks the first day in the big leagues for Carter, a 17th-round pick of the Diamondbacks in 2004.
"(Carter) was really swinging the bat well," said manager Terry Francona. "Mossy was swinging the bat great, too, but he has been sick and had the (appendectomy) and we weren't sure he'd get the opportunity here to play every day for the next 7-10 days. We want him to keep playing.
"This gives Carter an opportunity to come to the major leagues, which we think he deserves. We thought he "hit" himself to a place where we thought it would be good to reward him and maybe he'll help us win a game," said Francona.
If and when Carter is used, it likely will be as part of the Sox' mix-and-match designated hitter lineup spot in Ortiz's absence.
Carter, meanwhile, was thrilled to be in the Sox' clubhouse.
"It's amazing, absolutely," said Carter, a Northern California native, who was told of the promotion this morning at 9 o'clock by Pawtucket manager Ron Johnson in Charlotte, where the team opens a series tonight.
"I was able to cross the threshold (from the minors to the majors). It's a tremendous feeling. I didn't know it was coming at all. I didn't think I'd be called up. I was pretty shocked," said Carter.
Carter credited Boston's Alex Cora with helping him find his stroke recently. Cora was down on a rehab assignment recently and had some advice for Carter.
"He told me to relax," said Carter. "He told me I had a good stroke and that I should relax. That helped me a lot."
-- Steven Krasner
Posted by Steven Krasner 
at 4:31 PM | Permalink
