The Red Sox placed outfielder Rob Refsnyder on the IL Friday with a right forearm strain. To take his spot on the active roster, the Red Sox recalled infielder Vaughn Grissom.
Grissom last appeared in a game for the Red Sox on June 1 before being optioned to Triple A Worcester. The first half of his first season with the Sox was marred by two IL stints due to groin pulls, but even when he played, Grissom underperformed, batting just .148 in 23 games.
Worcester, MA - August 13: Worcester Red Sox infielder Vaughn Grissom smiles during batting practice at Polar Park. (Photo by Danielle Parhizkaran/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)Boston Globe via Getty Images
The Red Sox sent him to the minors as somewhat of a “starting over” exercise, wanting him to change his approach at the plate, along with his daily regimen. For a time, Grissom slumped in the minors, too, but of late, has fared far better.
Since the start of September, Grissom was hitting .340 with an on-base percentage of .508. In that span, he’s scored 14 runs and knocked in 12. Overall, Grissom was hitting .259 with six homers and 34 RBI in 55 games to go along with 10 stolen bases.
Grissom was acquired last winter in the trade that sent Chris Sale to the Atlanta Braves, and the Sox envisioned him as their starting second baseman. But he suffered both a groin pull and hamstring strain that cost him all of spring training, delaying his debut with the Red Sox until May 3.
The lopsided nature of the trade — with Sale virtually certain to win the National League Cy Young Award — has only made Grissom’s forgettable season more disappointing.
