KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The state of the Red Sox roster is such that not only were Deven Marrero and Sam Travis recalled from Triple A Pawtucket on Tuesday, they were also in the lineup in an 8-3 win over the Kansas City Royals.
Marrero started at third base in place of Pablo Sandoval, who was placed on the disabled list with what the team said was a left inner-ear infection.
Travis was at first base against Royals lefthander Matt Strahm. Mitch Moreland needed a day off his feet to help heal a fracture in his left big toe. Moreland was injured June 13 when he was hit by a pitch and is 2 of 19 since.
Righthanded reliever Austin Maddox was optioned to Pawtucket. The Sox had been carrying an extra pitcher.
According to Sox manager John Farrell, Sandoval had a fever Monday and would not have been able to play Tuesday.
“The move to put him on the disabled list is here,’’ he said. “This has been 2-3 days in the making. It progressed to the point of worsening.’’
This is Sandoval’s second time on the disabled list this season. He was out from April 26 to May 30 with a sprained right knee, the result of crouching to field a ball.
Sandoval was 8 of 38 (.211) in 15 games since coming off the disabled list. Monday was only the second time he started in 10 days.
“For a guy who’s been a longtime everyday player, we recognize it’s a tough situation,’’ Farrell said. “But at the same time, you try to make the most of your roster and take advantage of who you have currently to win today and that’s the approach that we’ve taken.’’
Sandoval needs to improve defensively and it’s clear the Sox have little interest in having him bat righthanded. Farrell indicated that a minor league rehabilitation assignment was likely once he was cleared to play. Such assignments can last 20 days.
“The importance of every day play certainly would be a benefit to him,’’ Farrell said. “Then see how best we can continue to bring him along and gain some confidence, gain some momentum in his own status here.’’
With Sandoval on the DL and Marrero and Travis back from the minors, the Sox have a much more functional roster. Farrell said his plan would be to use Marrero as the third basemen with Josh Rutledge starting against lefthanders.
Travis gives the Sox a righthanded hitter who can spell Moreland at first or get at-bats as the designated hitter.
In the win Tuesday, Travis batted sixth and went 1 for 5 with an RBI double, while Marrero, who batted ninth, went 2 for 2 with a double, sacrifice fly, and a walk.
Maddox was added to the roster Thursday and appeared in two games, throwing two scoreless innings.
The Sox were unable to book Marrero and Travis on a commercial flight to Kansas City because of all the recent weather-related cancellations in the Northeast. The team chartered a jet instead.
Pedroia improving
Dustin Pedroia, who was spitting up blood Sunday and did not go on the disabled list, took a few swings in the cage. He has a large and ugly bruise on the left side of his back, the result of being hit by pitch in Houston.
Farrell wouldn’t rule out the idea of Pedroia playing Wednesday afternoon but noted the second baseman was restricted swinging because of swelling.
Eduardo Rodriguez was on the field doing some agility drills to test his right knee. He also ran up and down the stadium steps. The lefthander is scheduled to throw in the bullpen on Wednesday, then face hitters on the field at Fenway Park on Saturday. He would then pitch in a minor league game on or around June 28.
Rodriguez’s kneecap partially dislocated before his start June 1.
Brock Holt, who last played in a game on May 21, is moving closer to a rehab assignment. Holt has been dealing with concussion-like symptoms related to having vertigo.
“Hopefully that rehab assignment is getting closer,’’ Farrell said. “Because I’ll be honest with you, we need him.’’
Kelly stuck around to get a tour of the museum from its president, Bob Kendrick. The museum is about 15 minutes from Kauffman Stadium.
More picks signed
The Red Sox signed two of their selection in last week’s amateur draft: first baseman Zach Sterry (eighth round) and righthander Lukas Young (21st round. Sterry, who played at Oakland University, was assigned to Single A Lowell. Young is recovering from a broken hand and will rehab in Fort Myers . . . The Red Sox will pay tribute to their 2007 World Series team before the July 30 game against Kansas City. Pedroia is the only player still on the Red Sox roster. Active major leaguers include Clay Buchholz, Coco Crisp, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jon Lester, and Brandon Moss. The Red Sox Foundation will host the annual Picnic in the Park following the game. Sox players, mascots from Boston teams and the Patriots cheerleaders will take part. Tickets are available at redsox.com/picnic. Proceeds will benefit the Red Sox, Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Revolution charities.
. . . Farrell’s youngest son, Luke, is in the Kansas City organization. The 26-year-old righthander allowed one run on three hits over eight innings for Triple A Omaha on Monday night. Farrell struck out nine without a walk. He is 6-3 with a 4.01 ERA
Peter Abraham can be reached at pabraham@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @PeteAbe.
