Red Sox won’t use Rafael Devers at 3B, so utility man called up for Alex Bregman’s spot

With Alex Bregman going on paternity leave and Rafael Devers not an option to play third base in the interim, the Red Sox are adding a utility player from Triple-A as a short-term fill-in.

Boston is promoting Nick Sogard to take Bregman’s spot on the active roster for Wednesday’s series finale in Tampa, multiple sources said late Tuesday. Sogard is already on the 40-man roster.

Bregman is expected to miss just one game as his wife, Reagan, gives birth to the couple’s second child. The Red Sox are off Thursday before beginning a homestand Friday night against the White Sox. Bregman should be in the lineup for that game.

Sogard, who has played all four infield positions as well as right field so far for the WooSox, has mostly split his time between shortstop and third base so far this year. The 27-year-old may very well be Wednesday’s lineup against righty Zack Littell. Romy Gonzalez is the other option on the roster to play, but Alex Cora may want the switch-hitting Sogard to get the start.

Bregman, who had a career-high five hits in Tuesday’s win, has played all but three innings at third base for the Red Sox so far this year. Gonzalez filled in for those on April 6. Cora was adamant on Opening Day that Devers, who moved to designated hitter this year, will not play third if Bregman is ever unavailable, even in emergency duty. The club wants Devers to fully embrace the routine of a DH, though he continues to take ground balls before games as part of his conditioning routine.

Sogard debuted for the Red Sox last season and hit .273 with four doubles, eight RBIs and a .650 OPS in 31 games. In 21 games for the WooSox, he has hit just .159 with a .479 OPS. Sogard and Vaughn Grissom, who had a big night Tuesday for the WooSox in Rochester, were the only two available infielders on the 40-man roster.

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