HOUSTON — When the time came Monday to reinstate Blake Swihart from the 15-day disabled list, the Red Sox moved another player (fellow catcher Sandy Leon) off the roster rather than stashing the 23-year-old Swihart in Triple-A.
And in a few hours, pitching prospect Brian Johnson will throw the first pitches of his big-league career while veteran right-hander Justin Masterson watches from the bullpen.
Who said things weren't moving in the right direction?
For weeks now, the Sox have tried fooling themselves into believing they can still win the AL East.