Red Sox Acquire First Base Help In Out-Of-Nowhere Trade

The Boston Red Sox finally added some depth at first base on Thursday.

Boston acquired first baseman/outfielder Ryan Noda from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for cash considerations before optioning him to Triple-A Worcester. Masataka Yoshida was transferred from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day injured list, the team announced.

Noda, 29, made appearances across the last two seasons with the then-Oakland Athletics, starting 130 games at first base and slashing .212/.344/.369 with 26 doubles, 17 home runs and 58 RBIs from the left side of the plate. Noda played in 38 games for Triple-A Salt Lake this season, batting .148 (17-for-115) with a .364 on-base percentage while making 13 starts in right field, eight at first base, four in left field, and four in center field.

Yoshida, 31, was originally placed on the shelf due to offseason shoulder surgery.

The Red Sox have been scrambling to find a full-time option at first base since Triston Casas went down with an injury May 2. Romy González, Nick Sogard and Abraham Toro have all been tasked with replacing him, though things have gotten bad enough that rookie Kristian Campbell has started working out at the position before games.

It’s likely nothing more than a depth addition, but an important one nonetheless.