The Red Sox have added a few more men to their active roster Monday, calling up Ryan Lavarnway, Kyle Weiland, and Nate Spears to the Major League team.
Ryan Lavarnway and Kyle Weiland are familiar faces to those who have followed the Sox closely this year. Lavarnway had 23 fairly impressive at bats with the team in a short stint with the team while Kevin Youkilis was on the disabled list, while Kyle Weiland made a pair of starts for the Sox back in July.
Lavarnway is the most impressive pure hitter in the Sox' minor league system, slugging 30 homers this year between Double-A and Triple-A, putting up a .993 OPS in the latter. He might see some time behind the plate to give Jarrod Saltalamacchia some rest, particularly against left-handers, who he should also see some pinch hitting appearances against as the season draws to a close.
For Kyle Weiland, it's likely straight to the bullpen. While the righty hasn't made a relief appearance in three years, coming out of the pen could help him avoid the inconsistencies he ran into during his longer outings earlier this year.
As for Nate Spears, the journeyman lefty should provide some solid defense throughout the infield, where the Sox have often struggled to find healthy bodies. After failing to sustain his sudden burst of power from 2010 after the move to Triple-A, Spears isn't likely to get many at bats unless he's forced into starts, but could be a decent defensive replacement at third base and shortstop.
The Red Sox designated Drew Sutton for assignment to make way for Nate Spears on the roster.