Sea Dogs Announce Roster Moves

Among the Moves All-Star MVP Marco Hernandez Promoted to Triple-A Pawtucket and Blake Swihart Joins Sea Dogs on Rehab Assignment

July 16, 2015

Portland, Maine - The Portland Sea Dogs have announced several roster moves. Among the moves are shortstop Marco Hernandez, the MiLB.com Top Star winner from the Eastern League All-Star Game, being promoted to Triple-A Pawtucket. Boston Red Sox catcher Blake Swihart is expected to join the Portland Sea Dogs on a Major League rehab assignment on Thursday, July 16th at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium when the Sea Dogs face the New Hampshire Fisher Cats at 7:05 PM.

Other moves include; outfielder Manuel Margot activated from the temporary inactive list, infielder Reed Gragnani rejoining the Sea Dogs from Triple-A Pawtucket, infielder Tzu-Wei Lin received from High-A Salem and right-handed pitcher Kyle Martin being activated from the disabled list. Right-handed pitcher Kyle Kraus was transferred to High-A Salem, right-handed pitcher Mike Augliera and outfielder David Chester were placed on the disabled list.

Swihart, 23, was placed on the 15-day disabled list on July 3rd with a left foot sprain. In 40 games with the Red Sox this season, Swihart is hitting .241 (32-for-133) with one home run, 11 RBI, eight doubles, and seven walks. He entered the 2015 season as the top prospect in the Red Sox system and #17 overall according to Baseball America.

Swihart began his current rehab assignment with the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox on July 10th, appearing in two games for the Paw Sox and going 0-for-6 and making one start at catcher and one as designated hitter.

Last season, Swihart made his debut as a Sea Dog and hit .300 (104-for-347) with 23 doubles, three triples, 12 home runs, 55 RBI, and seven stolen bases in 92 games. He was named the Sea Dogs MVP as well as an Eastern League All-Star.

This will mark the fifth time this season the Sea Dogs have hosted a Red Sox player on a rehab assignment. Swihart joins Shane Victorino (2x: 5/8-9, 6/30-7/1), Justin Masterson (June 5), and Ryan Hanigan (6/28-29).

The Sea Dogs also announced today that shortstop Marco Hernandez was promoted to Pawtucket. The Dominican native made his Double-A debut this year with Portland and leads the Eastern League in hitting at .326 (92-for-282) in 68 games as a Sea Dog. Hernandez also ranks fifth in slugging percentage (.482) and third in total bases (136). Hernandez was named the MiLB.com Top Star at the 2015 Sullivan Tire Eastern League All-Star Classic on July 15th at Hadlock Field.

The Sea Dogs also announced that Radio Broadcaster Mike Antonellis will be joining Will Fleming as part of the Pawtucket Red Sox radio team for the next eight games on the Paw Sox Radio Network. Sea Dogs' Assistant Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations Mark Perlman-Price will handle play-by-play duties on the WPEI U.S. Cellular Sea Dogs Radio Network in Antonellis' absence.