The Boston Red Sox saw Curtis Mead make his debut for the team on Monday night, but he exited in the fifth inning after getting hit by a pitch in the hand.
Mead was acquired from the Washington Nationals on Saturday and is expected to take over at second base for the Red Sox. He struck out in his first at-bat with the team. He is having a career year at the plate and should be a huge asset for the Red Sox when he's back.
"I felt okay," Mead said of his hit-by-pitch after the game. "Squeezing my hand feels okay. It's just a little bit of pain when rotating. We were able to get an X-ray, and everything looked okay. I'm hopeful that I'll feel better tomorrow and it won't be a problem."
It looks like the Red Sox were just taking the cautious approach with their new infielder. Mead seems to think the injury is not something that will keep him out for long, if at all. He could be back in the lineup on Tuesday. Regardless, whenever he is back, he should bring some added offense to the second base spot.
The Red Sox have gotten just a .637 OPS from second base this season. Mead has an .851 OPS and 17 home runs in 88 games this year. He is clearly an offensive upgrade and brings solid power from the right side of the plate.
