BOSTON – The Boston Red Sox today placed designated hitter/outfielder J.D. Martinez on the COVID-19 Related Injured List. To fill his spot on the 26-man roster, infielder Michael Chavis was recalled from the Alternate Training Site. Chavis will be available for tonight’s game at the Baltimore Orioles.

Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom made the announcement.

Through seven games this season, Martinez, 33, has hit .433 (13-for-30) with seven doubles, two home runs, and 12 RBI. Entering play today, the right-handed batter led all major league players in extra-base hits (9) and ranked among American League leaders in slugging percentage (3rd; .867), OPS (4th; 1.335), and batting average (5th). Dating back to last season, Martinez has hit safely in eight straight games, and has recorded at least one extra-base hit in all of his team’s first seven games of the year, making him one of five players in MLB history to do so.

This marks the first major league stint of 2021 for Chavis, 25, who began the year at the club’s Alternate Training Site at Triple-A Worcester. In 25 Grapefruit League games this spring he hit .250 (15-for-60) with three doubles, six home runs, 11 RBI, and a .892 OPS. Last season, the right-handed batter hit .212 (31-for-146) with five doubles, two triples, five home runs, and 19 RBI. Defensively, Chavis appeared at first base (21 starts), second base (11), and left field (7).