Just as I thought; Stern sent down after Wednesday night game
Stern sent down after game
Harris expected to join the Red Sox on Thursday
By Ian Browne / MLB.com
BOSTON -- The day after Adam Stern made what might have been a game-saving catch to close out Tuesday's win over the Devil Rays, the outfielder was again a hot topic of discussion. This time, it was a less happy occasion for Stern, who was informed after Wednesday night's 9-1 victory that he will be optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket, where he will report on Saturday.
The Red Sox will make the move official on Thursday, when they are all but certain to purchase the contract of infielder/outfielder Willie Harris from Triple-A Pawtucket.
Harris played for the World Series champion White Sox last season, scoring the winning run in the Game 4 clincher over the Astros.
Stern needed 17 days of service time to complete his requirement as a Rule 5 player. Wednesday was day No. 17.
The Red Sox like Stern as a player, but they don't want to stunt his development by giving him inconsistent playing time at the Major League level.
"Totally makes sense to me," said Stern. "They want me to go down and get at-bats to become the player I can be, and that's what you need to do. I lost a whole year last year [with injuries]. You throw a year away and you're 25 years old, you've got to make it up, and I didn't get to play winter ball last year because of shoulder surgery. I love to play. It doesn't matter where it is. I just need to get at-bats in because you need to get that experience under your belt."
Though Stern made some dazzling plays on defense during his time with the Red Sox, he struggled to get his bat going. He went 0-for-4 Wednesday and is hitting .150.
"There was always a hope that you could stick around, but they want me to me to play every day," Stern said. "You have to face righties and lefties. You don't want to be tabbed a fourth outfielder right out of the gate when you're young. You want to go to that role if that's what happens, but you want to play and hopefully be a starter some day in the big leagues."
Stern turned in another tremendous catch on Wednesday, crashing into the wall to rob Toby Hall of extra bases to end the sixth inning.
"It was good to get out there and play defense. Obviously, I wish I hit a little more but that will come around, you just have to get out there every day," said Stern.