NEW YORK — Brock Holt has been among the more consistent performers in an otherwise disappointing season for the Boston Red Sox.
As of late, the consistently positive results have slowed down for Holt.
Although his .277 average is among the highest for the Red Sox, it’s been a recent struggle for Holt. He was batting .306 through June 24 but since then he is hitting .233 (28-for-120) with 26 singles and two doubles.
On Thursday, Holt had a rest from starting and potentially extending his hitless drought beyond 14 at-bats.
“He’s been pitched to,” Boston manager John Farrell said before a 2-1 loss to the Yankees. “He’s seen a lot of off-speed early in the count. Right-handers have been attacking him down and in. There has been a long stretch of games in which his bat path might not be as consistent. Like any player, he needs a break now and then.”
With Holt getting a break, Josh Rutledge received his first start at second base since being acquired from the Los Angeles Angels for right fielder Shane Victorino.
His night began with a diving stop of Yankee left fielder Brett Gardner’s ground ball and an accurate throw to get the second out of the first inning. After striking out for the final out of the second, he ranged to his left to get third baseman Chase Headley’s ground ball for the first out of the bottom half.
Rutledge also struck out with one out in the fifth off CC Sabathia and again in the seventh off Justin Wilson. When he turn came up for a fourth time against a third left-hander, Travis Shaw pinch hit and got a single off Andrew Miller.
Thursday was likely a cameo appearance for Rutledge since the team is waiting for Dustin Pedroia to return from a second hamstring injury. He could get slightly more time on the off chance Holt gets traded.
According to the Boston Globe, Holt was among a group of Red Sox placed on revocable waivers along with first baseman Mike Napoli, right fielder Rusney Castillo, center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. and pitchers Craig Breslow.
Out of those, Holt would be a logical fit for a contender. Besides having a low salary, he has played every position but catcher this season and is under a team’s control through 2019, which makes the Red Sox more inclined to weather the slump and keep him.