Red Sox

Red Sox Recall Dan Butler for 1st Big League Stint

By Jeff Pini

August 2, 2014

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Dan Butler, sen here during Spring Training, was called up for his first major league stint on Friday after David Ross was placed on the 15-day DL. Steven Senne/AP

After Anthony Ranaudo made his big league debut on Friday night, his batterymate from Pawtucket got the word that he’d suit up for the Red Sox for the first time in his career.

Catcher Dan Butler was recalled from Triple-A to the Red Sox on Saturday after the team placed David Ross on the 15-day DL with plantar fasciitis. This is the 27-year-old’s first stint on an active MLB roster.

Butler has played in 76 games this season with the PawSox, hitting .227 with four home runs and 28 RBIs. He was named MVP of the PawSox in 2013 after hitting 14 homers in 84 games.

In total, Butler has played 490 games in the Red Sox’ minor league system, hitting .254 with 47 home runs and 239 RBIs. He was signed by the Red Sox as a non-drafted free agent in 2009.

Joining Butler on the active roster was starting pitcher Joe Kelly, whom the Red Sox acquired on Thursday along with Allen Craig after sending John Lackey to the St. Louis Cardinals. Ranaudo was optioned to Triple-A to make room for Kelly.