Red Sox Recall Mookie Betts from Pawtucket

Jackie Bradley Jr. optioned to Pawtucket

August 18, 2014

The Boston Red Sox today recalled outfielder/infielder Mookie Betts from Triple-A Pawtucket. To make room for him on the 25-man roster, outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. was optioned to Pawtucket following yesterday's game. Betts will be active for tonight's series opener against the Angels at Fenway Park beginning at 7:10 p.m.

Executive Vice President/General Manager Ben Cherington made the announcement.

Betts, 21, returns for his third career major league stint, all this season. In his previous two stints, from June 28-July 18 and August 1-6, he played in 13 games and hit .244 (10-for-41) with two doubles, one home run, two RBI, a walk, and six runs scored while playing eight games in right field (5 starts) and six games in center field (all starts). In 99 minor league games this season between Double-A Portland and Pawtucket, the right-handed batter has hit .346 (138-for-399), third best among all full-season minor league qualifiers. He has combined for 30 doubles, five triples, 11 home runs, 65 RBI, 33 stolen bases, and 61 walks compared to just 50 strikeouts. Since joining the PawSox, he has batted .335 with 19 extra-base hits (12 doubles, 2 triples, 5 homers) and 31 RBI in 45 games. A fifth-round selection in the 2011 June Draft, Betts was selected to play for the U.S. Team in this year's SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game.

The 24-year-old Bradley Jr. has spent the entire season with Boston, batting .216 (75-for-348) with 19 doubles, two triples, one home run, 30 RBI, 45 runs scored, 31 walks, and eight stolen bases in 112 games, second-most among American League rookies in 2014. He has appeared primarily in center field (105 games, 98 starts) and leads all major league outfielders with 13 assists and eight double plays. The left-handed hitter has appeared in 149 career major league games for the Red Sox over the last two seasons, batting .210 (93-for-443) with 24 doubles, two triples, four home runs, and 40 RBI. He was selected by the Red Sox in the supplemental round of the 2011 June Draft.