BOSTON — In search of more production at first base, the Red Sox signed free agent Nathaniel Lowe late Sunday night and had him part of the active roster for Monday’s series opener with the Baltimore Orioles.
His arrival could have a domino-like affect on the the Red Sox lineup on a daily basis.
Lowe gives manager Alex Cora additional options with his lineup. A lefthanded hitter, Lowe will see most of the action against righties at first. This season, Lowe has a .732 OPS against righties, far better than the .516 OPS against lefties.
“He’s a lefthanded hitter who’s been there, done that,” said Alex Cora of Lowe. “He was part of the (Texas) Rangers when they won (the World Series). It’s been an up-and-down season with the Nationals. Hopefully, he comes here and (takes advantage) of The Wall, and what it means for lefties. He’s excited to be here. We’ll use him against righties, certain lefties, and pinch hit late. We’ll maximize the roster.”
Abraham Toro, who is slashing just .161/.216/.253 since July 8 and is under .200 since the All-Star break. However, Toro has been slightly better from the right side this season, batting .269. As such, he’ll see much of playing time at first when the Red Sox are facing lefties — as they did with the Orioles’ Trevor Rodgers Monday night.
“I know him numbers this year don’t show (much),” said Cora of Toro, “but it’s a good at-bat, a guy who we trust.”
Meanwhile, there’s Romy Gonzalez to consider. Gonzalez had been essentially platooning with Toro at first for the last few months and his ability to mash against lefties has helped the Red Sox offense. His 1.070 OPS against lefthanded pitching is one of the best in the American League.
But it now seems as though Gonzalez will play mostly second base, especially when the Sox are facing lefties. When Boston is matched against a righty, Cedanne Rafaela will handle second base, with Gonzalez available as a late-inning lefty bat off the bench.
“It all depends on matchups and all that,” said Cora of Gonzalez’s usage.
It’s possible, too, that during Rob Refsnyder’s stint on the IL with an oblique strain, Gonzalez could also see some time as a righty-counterpart to Masataka Yoshida in the DH spot.
The Sox are also somewhat short on outfielders for the time being, with Refsnyder on the IL and Wilyer Abreu dealing with a mild calf strain. Nate Eaton, recalled Monday, can fill in there, but in a pinch, Gonzalez can play the outfield, too.
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