BALTIMORE – The Red Sox called up outfielders Franchy Cordero and Jaylin Davis from Triple-A Worcester and designated infielder Travis Shaw for assignment on Friday.
Cordero slashed .296/.378/.535 in 71 at-bats for the WooSox, with three homers and 24 RBIs. He appeared in 48 games last season for Boston, batting .189 with one homer and nine RBIs.
“Yeah, I’m very happy to be here, obviously,” Cordero said via team interpreter Carlos Villoria Benítez. “I’m grateful for the opportunity and just to keep working and try to bring the results from Triple-A to the big leagues.”
Manager Alex Cora quickly placed Cordero sixth in the lineup for Friday night’s game at Baltimore, playing him at first base. He has appeared in 11 big league games at that position in his career, out of 143 Major League games. This will be his ninth big league start at the position.
“We will get him at-bats against righties,” Cora said. “He is swinging the bat well. Obviously, the decision with Travis is a tough one. [We] know where we are at, versatility-wise, obviously Franchy has put in good at-bats in Triple-A and he did an amazing job in Spring Training.
“Davis is a right-handed bat that we are really intrigued with. He is a good athlete. It just gives us another guy that we can mix and match with.”
The 27-year-old Cordero put in extra time at first base during the pregame workout at Camden Yards and has worked at the spot diligently this past month for Worcester.
“It’s a great challenge to have,” Cordero said. “[I] have been working really hard with my infield coach in Triple-A and the work that I did in Spring Training. So, I feel comfortable and feel ready to go.”