The Red Sox are calling up top prospect Andrew Benintendi from Double-A Portland, giving the big club a boost in the outfield hours after the non-waiver trade deadline passed.
Benintendi is expected to arrive before Boston's game Tuesday night at Seattle, Red Sox President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski said after a 2-1 win over the Mariners on Monday night.
"We've had a lot of discussions," Dombrowski said. "We looked at all the possible alternatives to try to help us. There were some good choices (to trade for) but the cost was quite high.
"Our people kept coming up with Andrew. He can play at the big-league level. He's a well-rounded player, he plays good defense, runs the bases well, has a good arm. It came down to, we think he can come up here and contribute to our club and help us win."
Benintendi was the seventh overall pick in the 2015 draft as a sophomore out of Arkansas. He's since emerged as one of the top prospects in baseball after hitting .312 with nine homers, 76 RBIs and 16 stolen bases this season between Class A Salem and Double-A Portland.
The left-handed hitter also draws strong marks for his plate discipline, posting a .378 on-base percentage this year. He's primarily played center field, where he's considered a solid defender.
Boston has Jackie Bradley Jr. and Mookie Betts entrenched in center and right field but has been playing Bryce Brentz and Brock Holt in left, meaning Benintendi could get regular at-bats while learning to play in front of the Green Monster.
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"From all reports ... he's ready and we're going to get a first-hand look at him very soon," Red Sox manager John Farrell said.
Farrell said he likely won't play Benintendi against a left-hander Tuesday but will start him against right-handed Hisashi Iwakuma on Wednesday.
The move was announced after the Sox acquired left-handed reliever Fernando Abad from the Minnesota Twins for minor-league pitcher Pat Light on trading deadline day.
Abad posted a 2.65 ERA in 39 appearances for the Twins, making $1.25 million this year. He'll be eligible for free agency after the 2017 season. The 30-year-old Abad has held opponents to a .220 batting average this year. He came up with Houston and also pitched for Washington and Oakland.
The right-handed Light has a 2.32 ERA in 31 innings for Triple-A Pawtucket.
