KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Boston Red Sox sustained a big loss Saturday night when catcher Christian Vazquez fractured the pinkie finger on his right throwing hand while sliding into second base in the seventh inning of the 15-4 rout of the Kansas City Royals.
Blake Swihart now will serve as the backup catcher to Sandy Leon.
The Red Sox placed Vazquez and left-hander Brian Johnson on the 10-disabled list, and called up right-handers William Cuevas and Ryan Brasier from Triple-A Pawtucket.
Brasier last pitched in the majors in 2013 with the Angels and spent last year in Japan. Cuevas was 5-5 with a 3.65 ERA in 15 starts with Pawtucket.
Johnson has left hip inflammation and his stint on the DL was retroactive to Friday.
“It’s a big hit to us,” Boston Manager Alex Cora said said of Vazquez’s injury. “You guys know how much I like the combination of (Vazquez and Leon). Seems like it keeps them fresh, they’ve done a good job communicating, running the pitching staff.
“Now (Swihart) is here, he’ll play too, and we’re very confident he’ll do a good job.”
Reliever Joe Kelly also had to leave the game early because of light-headedness. He was lifted in the eighth inning after retiring two batters. Leon, in the game for Vazquez, noticed Kelly didn’t look right.
“We didn’t want to take any chances,” Cora said.
“We took him out of the game. He checked out with the trainers.”
BREWERS: Milwaukee activated center fielder Lorenzo Cain off the 10-day disabled list, and placed outfielder Ryan Braun and catcher Manny Pina on the DL as part of eight roster moves.
Right-hander Aaron Wilkerson was optioned to Triple-A Colorado Springs and left-handed reliever Mike Zagurski was designated for assignment. Top pitching prospect Corbin Burnes, catcher Jacob Nottingham, and infielder Nate Orf were called up from Triple-A.
Cain, who’s hitting .291 with eight homers and 26 RBI, was out since June 24.
Braun, hitting .235 with 10 homers and 35 RBI, also was on the DL with back problems in mid-May, missing six games.
RANGERS-GIANTS: Texas acquired right-handed pitchers Cory Gearrin and Jason Bahr, and outfielder Austin Jackson from San Francisco for a player to be named later or cash considerations.
To make room on the 40-man roster, right-handed pitchers Tony Barnette (strained right lat) and Matt Bush (right elbow strain) were transferred from the 10- to the 60-day disabled list.
The Rangers, mired in last place in the AL West, said corresponding moves on the 25-man roster will be made once the players report.
Jackson, who signed a two-year contract with the Giants in January, is batting .242 (36 for 149) with 13 RBI in 59 games.
Bahr, 23, has been assigned to the Class A Carolina League. He’s 8-4 record with a 2.55 ERA in 16 Class A starts this season.
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