BOSTON — Daniel Nava is something of a folk hero here, a former equipment manager on his college team who rose to the Red Sox and swung at the first pitch he ever saw in the majors — against the Phillies, a Joe Blanton fastball — to crush a grand slam. He celebrated the seven-year anniversary of his debut Monday by batting second and manning left field for the Phillies.
He could start each of the next three games, too.
Nava, 34, came to the Phillies on a minor-league contract. He has usurped Michael Saunders, a $9 million acquisition, in the outfield rotation.