When Jon Lester returns from the disabled list to start Monday at Fenway Park, the presumption was that rookie Kyle Weiland would be sent back to Triple-A Pawtucket to make room on the roster.
However, according to Sean McAdam of Comcast Sports New England, right fielder J.D. Drew will be placed on the 15-day disabled list with a shoulder impingement.
Drew has not played since Tuesday in Baltimore. Josh Reddick has started in his place ever since, in large part because he has outhit Drew by a wide margin. A physical issue for the veteran may also be a factor.
The 35-year-old Drew has struggled all season. He is batting a career-low .219 with four home runs and 21 RBIs in 77 games. Reddick, who was first recalled in late May and then again in the middle of June, is at .358 with four homers and 19 RBIs in just 32 games.
If Drew goes on the DL, the club will have Darnell McDonald as the first backup for all three outfield spots. Yamaico Navarro has played some corner outfield in the minors and has appeared in two games in left in his short time with the Red Sox.
It would also allow Weiland, who made his first career relief appearance, to stick in the bullpen. The righty took Lester's spot in the rotation, going 0-1 with an 8.10 ERA.
