Red Sox recall Betts and Wilson; Carp designated for assignment; Travis promoted to Greenville

The Red Sox remain busy, announcing another series of roster moves before Friday's game. The team has recalled outfielder Mookie Betts (pictured, right), who is in tonight's lineup as the starting center fielder, as well as right-handed reliever Alex Wilson. The team has placed outfielder Shane Victorino on the 15-day disabled list, and designated Mike Carp for assignment. Along with the moves to the major league roster, the team also announced that first baseman Sam Travis has been promoted to Low A Greenville from Short Season-A Lowell, and that pitcher Mike McCarthy moves from Portland to Pawtucket.

Betts, the top prospect in the organization on SoxProspects.com, gets recalled a day after his dramatic walk-off home run led Pawtucket to victory. This will be his second stint with the major league club, after going 8 for 34 with a homer and two doubles in 10 games in late June and early July. Betts is having a dominant offensive season, with a .342/.429/.530 between Portland and Pawtucket. He has not missed a beat since being sent back to Triple-A on July 14, hitting .319/.373/.596 in 11 games. Betts will bat ninth and play center field in tonight's game against the Yankees.

Wilson has worn out I-95 between Boston and Pawtucket this season, as this recall marks his fourth of the season. In the three previous stints he made only two appearances, allowing a run on three hits in three innings. After struggling badly in June, the 27-year-old righty got back on track with an excellent July for the PawSox, posting a 1.23 ERA and striking out 11 while walking only three in 14 2/3 innings. His stay is likely to be short once again, with newly-acquired Joe Kelly likely to be officially assigned to the roster this weekend.

After contributing an impressive .296/.362/.523 line in his role as a backup first baseman, outfielder, and left-handed bat off the bench in 2013, Carp's production and playing time cratered this season. He hit only .198/.320/.279 in 86 at-bats without hitting a home run. 

Travis (pictured, left) was taken by Boston in the second round of the 2014 draft out of the University of Indiana. Assigned to Lowell after signing for an $846,800 bonus, the first baseman hit .333/.364/.448 in 40 games, with five doubles and four home runs. He had hit especially well in the last week, riding a six-game hitting streak and going 12 for 18 in his last four contests.

With five pitchers going from Pawtucket to Boston in the last week, McCarthy joins the recently promoted Henry Owens in filling a hole on the Triple-A staff. He has filled the swingman role this season for Portland, making 12 starts and 10 appearances out of the bullpen. Overall, the 26-year-old right-hander had a 4.64 ERA and 1.237 WHIP for the Sea Dogs.

Photo Credit: Mookie Betts and Sam Travis by Kelly O'Connor

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