Holt slated to return next week; Poyner recalled

E-Rod a go to return to rotation Saturday; Walden optioned

May 4th, 2018

ARLINGTON -- The Red Sox should get a key bench player back in the middle of their series against the division-rival Yankees next week, as could be activated from the disabled list on Wednesday.
The plan for Holt, who is recovering from a left hamstring injury sustained on April 26, is that he will go through a rigorous workout prior to Saturday's game in Texas.
If that goes well, Holt will play a two-game Minor League rehab assignment for Triple-A Pawtucket on the road in Lehigh Valley on Monday and Tuesday.
The plan is for Holt to play five innings the first game and nine the second game.
"Yeah, if there's no setbacks, probably [activated] Wednesday," said Red Sox manager Alex Cora.
Before the injury, Holt was swinging the bat as well as he had at any point since his All-Star season of 2015, going on a 13-for-26 tear that raised his overall average to .340.
When Holt comes back, the Red Sox will have the luxury of resting second baseman and shortstop more often.

E-Rod a go; Poyner called up
The Red Sox made a roster move prior to Friday's game, recalling lefty from Triple-A Pawtucket and optioning back to Triple-A.
Walden wouldn't have been available to pitch in Friday's game after logging 3 2/3 innings in Boston's 11-5 loss Thursday.
Poyner, who pitched well for Boston earlier this season, might be on the roster for only a day.
The Red Sox will activate from the family medical leave list in time for his start against the Rangers on Saturday night, and Poyner is one of the candidates to be sent down.
Martinez making most of glove opportunities
While J.D. Martinez was expected to be the primary DH for the Red Sox, he has played nearly half of his time in the outfield, starting there in 15 of the team's first 32 games.

Martinez made a 5-star catch -- a running grab against the wall with his glove fully outstretched -- in Thursday's loss.
"He's a good outfielder. He's a big one," said Cora. "If you do your research and position those guys where you're supposed to, they're going to make some plays. There's a lot of information that goes into what we're trying to do in the outfield, and he benefits from it. He's making plays."