BOSTON — Nate Eaton, a right-handed hitting infielder/outfielder on the Red Sox’ 40-man roster, is en route to Boston, according to multiple sources.
Eaton was pulled from Triple-A Worcester’s 8-5 loss to Iowa in Des Moines on Sunday during the seventh inning.
Two sources said a corresponding move has not yet been decided. Eaton is on standby for now until the Red Sox figure out what other roster move (or moves) they will make. Eaton likely will be active Monday for Boston’s game against the Orioles at Fenway Park but it’s not a certainty.
Right fielder Wilyer Abreu was removed from Boston’s 5-3 loss to the Marlins on Sunday due to a tight right calf. Abreu said he expects to avoid the injured list but he added he’d probably need two or three days before he’s ready to play again.
The Red Sox might be waiting to see how Abreu feels on Monday. If his calf is worse and he needs to be placed on the IL, Eaton could take Abreu’s spot.
Alternatively, Eaton also could take catcher Ali Sánchez’s spot on the roster. Boston has carried Sánchez as a third catcher since last Monday but he has only one plate appearance in six games on the roster. He has no minor league options remaining and would need to be designated for assignment.
The 28-year-old Eaton has appeared in 14 games for Boston this year, including batting leadoff four times. He has gone 6-for-24 (.250) with two doubles, one RBI, five runs, one walk and 10 strikeouts.
Eaton is hitting .290 with a .373 on-base percentage, .483 slugging percentage, .856 OPS, 12 home runs, 25 doubles, three triples, 55 RBIs and 15 steals in 94 games (400 plate appearances) for Worcester this season.
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