Red Sox Place Mike Napoli On 15-Day DL
BOSTON (CBS) -- Mike Napoli tried to play through a dislocated finger he suffered back in April, but now the Boston first baseman finds himself the latest member of the Red Sox to land on the disabled list.
The Red Sox placed Napoli on the DL Sunday afternoon, recalling right-hander Brandon Workman from Pawtucket to take his roster spot.
Napoli dislocated his left ring finger on a head-first slide back on April 15 in Chicago. The Boston slugger tried to play through the injury, but his numbers dipped. He hit just two home runs since the injury while driving in 13 runs. For the season, Napoli is tied for third on the Red Sox with 22 RBIs and tied for second with five home runs.
Placing Napoli on the disabled list, which was retroactive to Saturday, was also part of a numbers game with Boston's pitching situation.
"We wanted to give (Napoli) ample time with the finger, but given the situation and the need for an added arm, we felt like we had to make the move to put Mike on the DL," explained manager John Farrell. "Hopefully this gives him that extended period of time to get past this in its entirety, or at least to try and get further ahead of it."
Workman started for the Red Sox on Sunday, allowing three earned runs over five innings in an 8-5 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. Reliever Alex Wilson was able to remain in the majors with Napoli placed on the disabled list, and pitched a scoreless inning of relief for Boston on Sunday.
Boston also placed outfielder Shane Victorino on the 15-day disabled list on Saturday with a right hamstring strain, recalling Daniel Nava from Pawtucket.
With Boston heading to Atlanta for a two-game inter-league series with the Braves, David Ortiz will get a pair of starts at first base.
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