Since coming off the disabled list at the end of May, Red Sox third baseman Pablo Sandoval has struggled to get into a rhythm at the plate, hitting just .185 with nine strikeouts in eight games.
And he’s also had some noticeable issues in the field.
Red Sox manager John Farrell decided to keep Sandoval out of the lineup for the matchup with the Tigers on Saturday, going with Josh Rutledge at third.
Sandoval missed 31 games this season with a right knee sprain and his range at third has been limited. At the same time, he’s had difficulty making accurate throws.
With the Tigers sending Justin Verlander to the mound, Farrell saw it as an opportunity to allow Sandoval to take a day and regroup.
“We’re taking the opportunity to continue to work with him,’’ Farrell said. “We know that there’s been some plays where they’ve been a little bit of a struggle for him. With another righthander on the mound tonight against a predominantly righthanded-hitting lineup, more of a ground-ball pitcher, yeah, I guess there’s some strategy involved with that, certainly.’’
Sandoval hasn’t committed an error since returning from the disabled list, but he’s been aided by some solid work at first base by Mitch Moreland. Farrell pointed to some mechanical issues.
“There’s been some times where just redirecting his body if he’s going to his glove side to get back in line to deliver a ball through the target that he’s taking maybe an added step at times,’’ Farrell said before the Red Sox’ 11-3 win Saturday night. “Then we find where you’re possibly rushing a throw to cut down a runner. So that leads to a little bit of an errant command or control of the throw. That could possibly be it. Still, with any infielder, you’re talking about footwork and timing and direction.’’
The Sox have been searching for stability at third base all season. As a team, they’ve committed the third-most errors in baseball, and a league-high 15 of them have come at third.
Rutledge had a nice night Saturday, going 2 for 2 with 3 walks, 2 RBIs, and a run.
Smith takes step Carson Smith took another step in his recovery from Tommy John surgery, taking the mound before Saturday’s game and throwing 25 pitches in live batting practice for the second time in the past three days.
Smith had surgery last May after pitching in just three games last season. He’s been on the disabled list since the start of this season.
He threw off a mound for the first time Wednesday in New York.
“I guess the best way to describe it is he’s progressing toward games,’’ Farrell said. “Once he comes in tomorrow, goes through his normal workday tomorrow, we’ll get a better sense at that point if it’s an additional sim game or when, more clearly, are rehab games approaching.’’
Farrell said it’s still too early to determine when the 27-year-old righthander would be able to begin a rehab assignment.
“Tommy John recovery’s got a case-by-case calendar to it,’’ Farrell said. “So there’s no projected date for his return to us here at the major league level.’’
Rodriguez throwsFour days after learning he wouldn’t need surgery to repair the right knee subluxation that landed him on the disabled list on June 2, Eduardo Rodriguez threw long toss out to 140 feet.
Rodriguez visited Dr. James Andrews in Pensacola, Fla., last week after dislocating his kneecap when he fell in the bullpen as he warmed up for before his start in Baltimore on June 1. He was told by Andrews that he could avoid surgery.
“He’s made, I think, very good progress in the days since being examined by Dr. Andrews,’’ Farrell said. “We’re taking this in kind of five-day work increments. So he’s coming up on his first five days. We’ll map out increases in physical activity, agility, and all that after tomorrow. We would hope that in the coming days he’s back on the mound here soon.’’
Julian Benbow can be reached at jbenbow@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @julianbenbow.
