Red Sox Demote Young Slugger As Fan Favorite Utility Man Returns

The Boston Red Sox are not playing for anything with a few weeks left to go. While the organization has ramped up playing time for younger players such as outfielder Wilyer Abreu and super-utility man Ceddanne Rafaela, they made a move ahead of Tuesday night’s game that went in the other direction.

“The Red Sox reinstated Pablo Reyes from the injured list and optioned Enmanuel Valdez to Triple-A Worcester,” according to The Athletic’s Jen McCaffrey.

Valdez had been hitting .333 (7-for-21) with two extra-base hits including a home run, four RBIs and a .887 OPS in seven games. The 24-year-old has above-average power and has shown flashes of being able to hit for average as well. He’ll spend the rest of his season with the WooSox barring injury.

Reyes does not fit into the youth movement such as Valdez but is fighting for a roster spot moving forward. So far, he’s done everything to earn the job.

The 30-year-old journeyman is hitting .303 with 11 extra-base hits including a pair of home runs, 18 RBIs and a .748 OPS (100 OPS+) in 51 games this season.

He’s notched some clutch hits, including a walk-off grand slam against the Kansas City Royals when the Red Sox were still in contention. It’ll be interesting to watch him fight to keep his spot down the stretch as a pivotal offseason approaches.