The Boston Red Sox activated first baseman Mitch Moreland from the 10-day injured list and sent down infielder Marco Hernandez to Triple-A Pawtucket before Tuesday’s game at the Tampa Bay Rays.
Moreland, 33, has played in just one game since May 25. He returned from a stint on the injured list due to a low back strain on June 7, when he had two at-bats and suffered a right quad strain.
Moreland is hitting .225 with 13 home runs and 34 RBIs in 47 games. He appeared in four rehab games at Pawtucket, making three starts at first base and one as the designated hitter, before his reinstatement to the 25-man roster.
The Red Sox have lacked a left-handed-hitting first baseman in Moreland’s absence, mostly going with rookie Michael Chavis because Moreland’s expected platoon partner, right-handed Steve Pearce, has been on the injured list since June 1 because of a back strain.
Hernandez, 23, is hitting .339 with two home runs in 62 at-bats covering 27 games. He has helped cover second base while Chavis has been shifted to first.
