Red Sox Promote Versatile 29-Year-Old With Garrett Crochet On Injured List originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Boston Red Sox are adding another speedster to the team's roster, calling up 29-year-old Nate Eaton to the big leagues after placing ace pitcher Garrett Crochet on the 15-day injured list.
"The RedSox today placed LHP Garrett Crochet on the 15-Day Injured List (retroactive to April 26) with left shoulder inflammation," the team announced in a post to X on Wednesday. "To fill his spot, Boston recalled INF/OF Nate Eaton from Triple-A Worcester."
The #RedSox today placed LHP Garrett Crochet on the 15-Day Injured List (retroactive to April 26) with left shoulder inflammation. To fill his spot, Boston recalled INF/OF Nate Eaton from Triple-A Worcester.
Eaton is a versatile player who can man multiple positions, but has spent most of his time in the minor leagues this season playing in the outfield. The 29-year-old spent a good portion of last season in the majors with the Red Sox, slashing .296/.348/.383 with a home run and 4 RBIs across 41 games played, playing all three outfield positions and third base for the team.
Eaton has been great in Triple-A this season with a .292 batting average, but has displayed more power, mashing three home runs, five doubles and a triple in 27 games.
Though he boasts plenty of versatility, Eaton is known for his speed. The 29-year-old stole nine bases with Boston last season and has already racked up six in the early season with Worcester. Eaton's aggressiveness on the base paths aligns perfectly with interim manager Chad Tracy's aggressive style of play.
In the short term, Eaton can fill into the Red Sox's lineup wherever he is needed off the bench, but it's unclear what type of role he will have with the team. The speedster was called up to fill the roster spot left by Crochet, but there's optimism that the lefty ace will return to Boston's rotation right when he is eligible.
It will be interesting to see if Eaton will get an opportunity to make an impact during this stint in the big leagues with the Red Sox.
More MLB: How long is Garrett Crochet Out? Injury Timeline, Possible Return, Updates on Red Sox Pitcher