The Boston Red Sox demoted outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. and recalled outfielder/infielder Mookie Betts from Triple-A Pawtucket, the team announced Monday.
Bradley was optioned to Pawtucket following Sunday’s game.
The 24-year-old Bradley has spent the entire season with Boston, batting .216 with 19 doubles, two triples, one home run, 30 RBIs, 45 runs scored, 31 walks and eight stolen bases in 112 games, second-most among American League rookies in 2014.
Bradley has appeared primarily in center field (105 games, 98 starts) and leads all major league outfielders with 13 assists and eight double plays. The left-handed hitter has appeared in 149 career major league games for the Red Sox over the last two seasons, batting .210 with 24 doubles, two triples, four home runs, and 40 RBIs.
Betts, 21, returns for his third career major league stint, all this season. In his previous two stints, from June 28-July 18 and Aug. 1-6, he played in 13 games and hit .244 with two doubles, one home run, two RBIs, a walk and six runs scored while playing eight games in right field (five starts) and six games in center field (all starts).
In 99 minor league games this season between the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs and Pawtucket, the right-handed batter has hit .346 , third best among all full-season minor league qualifiers. He has combined for 30 doubles, five triples, 11 home runs, 65 RBIs, 33 stolen bases and 61 walks compared to just 50 strikeouts.
Holt steps up for Pedroia
Second baseman Dustin Pedroia missed Sunday’s game, on his 31st birthday, because of illness. He fouled a ball off his right foot on Friday night but was able to play on Saturday, and the foot was not a factor. Pedroia had three hits on Saturday night. He had hit three homers in his previous seven big-league birthday games. Only Nomar Garciaparra (four) has hit more birthday homers for Boston. Ted Williams and Troy O’Leary both hit three.
Brock Holt, playing second base with Pedroia out, extended his hitting streak to a career-high 11 games with a first-inning single. That’s also the longest streak by a Red Sox player this season. He finished the game 1-for-4.
NOTES: Outfielder Allen Craig (foot) begins a rehab assignment at Triple-A Pawtucket on Monday. … Catcher David Ross (foot) is expected to be activated either Monday or Tuesday.