SEATTLE -- Red Sox left fielder/catcher Blake Swihart isn't making progress from the severe left ankle sprain he suffered on June 4, and is in the process of getting a second opinion from noted foot specialist Dr. Robert Anderson in Charlotte.
Swihart hoped to avoid surgery so he could play again this season.
But that conservative plan of attack hasn't paid off so far.
"As he's ramped up activity, it's kind of talking back to him," said Red Sox manager John Farrell. "We'll see what the second opinion has to offer."
With Swihart out of the mix as a short-term possibility in left field, the Red Sox recently called up No. 2 prospect Andrew Benintendi to play that position against right-handers.
It has been a frustrating second Major League season for Swihart, who was optioned back to Triple-A on April 15 before returning on May 20.
Swihart had made a strong transition to left field and was just starting to heat up at the plate before getting his foot stuck under the side wall at Fenway while trying to make a catch against the Blue Jays.
Overall this season, he's hitting .258 in 62 at-bats with the Red Sox.