Red Sox Temporarily Avoid Middle Infield Crunch By Demoting Pair Of Pitchers

The Boston Red Sox have some big roster cuts to make with too many middle infielders able to occupy only a few spots. They made their first step toward a roster crunch but appear to have avoided a big splash in the meantime.

"The Red Sox announce they’ve reinstated Pablo Reyes from the injured list, and optioned Brandon Walter and Justin Garza," The Boston Globe's Alex Speier tweeted Monday. 

Reyes will join a group of Kiké Hernández, Christian Arroyo and Yu Chang on the active roster with Trevor Story expected to enter into the mix by early-to-mid August.

Chang's job is considered safe as the primary shortstop until Story returns, meaning he does not factor into the impending decision. That leaves Arroyo and Hernández fighting for one spot when Boston adds another pitcher, assuming the Reyes activation means he will not get designated for assignment. 

It would be best for the team to trade or DFA Hernández in the coming days but the Red Sox could escape the decision for now by placing Arroyo on the injured list as he is dealing with a jammed thumb.

Many thought a big shoe would drop in Boston with the activation of Reyes. That will not happen, though the trade deadline could speed up matters, as the Los Angeles Dodgers have appeared as a suitor for Hernández.