When the Red Sox transferred Andrew Benintendi to the 45-day injured list on Tuesday, they essentially ended the left fielder’s lost season.

Though Benintendi, who has a right ribcage strain, could technically return for the final two games of the regular season, it has been decided he will instead look ahead to 2021.

“[I] talked to Benny yesterday, I know [chief baseball officer] Chaim [Bloom] also did,” said manager Ron Roenicke. “Just asked him about what he was thinking for the rest of the year. After I had talked to Brad [Pearson] on the medical end, wondering if we get this guy back are we pushing him to play a few games, and is that important?

“Same thing talking with Chaim about it. Benny understood. He didn’t really want to push things past where he could re-injure himself. So in everybody’s opinion, we thought this was the best way to do it. Chaim, Brad, myself and Benny. There’s really not a reason to force him to get back to playing at the end of the year, knowing that if you’re pushing him, you could cause something else to happen.”

There is no way to sugarcoat it. Before Benintendi injured his ribcage when he tripped on the bases on Aug. 11, he was off to a brutal start to the season.

The left-handed hitter had just four hits in 39 at-bats for a .103 average. One of the hits was a bunt. His OPS was .442.

Considering how comfortable Benintendi looked as the new leadoff hitter in both the original Spring Training and Summer Camp, it was definitely a surprise to see how cold his bat went once the season finally started in July.

“To be honest, I’m hoping he forgets about this season part and just remembers what he did in the training camps, because I thought it was really good and the way he needs to be,” said Roenicke. “His swing was in a good spot. He was swinging for power, he was swinging for average, he was patient and not chasing balls. And I know things changed in this really unusual season, so I’m hoping he can forget about that and just work hard in the offseason and get to the place he was coming into the first Spring Training this year.”

Benintendi’s move to the IL was part of a series of roster transactions the Red Sox made prior to Tuesday’s doubleheader. Lefty Matt Hall was optioned to the alternate training site. Catcher Deivy Grullón, claimed off waivers last week from the Phillies, was appointed the club’s 29th man for the doubleheader. With Kevin Plawecki hurting after being hit on the right hand by a pitch on Sunday, Grullón will get the nod behind the plate in Game 2 against his former team.

In addition, infielder Christian Arroyo was selected to the Major League roster from the alternate training site, which is what necessitated Benintendi being moved to the 45-day IL.

Chavis debuts in left
Roenicke hadn’t even posted his lineup yet for Game 1 on Tuesday when Michael Chavis revealed an interesting development in a Zoom call with reporters. Chavis mentioned how he was going to get the start in left field.

Prior to Tuesday, Chavis had started 61 games at first base, 47 at second and two at third. Outfield? This was a first.

“I know he wanders out there once in a while to shag, and I think the big advantage would be to get him in the lineup -- that’s what it’s all about,” said Roenicke. “I want to give him the most opportunities he can to get out there and play. He’s a good athlete, he catches fly balls well, he’s got good hands.”

Chavis, who is enthusiastic about just about everything, was looking forward to his first day in left. He just wondered what glove he was going to use.

“My first reaction was, I unpacked my outfield glove two days ago and it’s not even broken in yet,” said Chavis. “I’ve been kind of squeezing it all day trying to get it broken in so I could get a little bit used to it. I have one that [Kevin] Pillar left [after he was traded] that I might end up using in the game if this one doesn’t get ready in time.”

Arroyo to see time at second
The 25th overall pick in the 2013 MLB Draft by the Giants, Arroyo’s talent hasn’t translated yet to the Major Leagues. But the Red Sox would like to see what they can get out of the infielder, and Roenicke plans on giving Arroyo a decent amount of playing time at second base the rest of the season. The Red Sox claimed Arroyo off waivers from the Indians on Aug. 13.

Roenicke also hinted that some of the team’s top pitching prospects could get a chance to come up and show their stuff down the stretch.

“It is an opportunity to see some new guys and to give them a chance, and with where we’re at right now, I’m kind of looking forward to it,” Roenicke said. “We’ll have an opportunity to see some new arms, I hear, the last two or two and a half weeks that we have left, and that will be good to see also.”