The Red Sox lost their leadoff hitter Friday, as it was announced that Kiké Hernandez tested positive for COVID-19. In addition, Christian Arroyo was listed as a close contact.
As a corresponding move, Boston will be recalling Yairo Munoz, who is coming off of a 35-game hit streak with the WooSox, as well as Jonathan Arauz.
“They’ll be out for an extended period of time,” manager Alex Cora told the media. “Kiké has symptoms, so we’ll stay on top of that. Arroyo, he’s just a close contact.”
Cora said Munoz will play in left and bat leadoff, while Arauz will bat last and play second, if they get to the park on time.
Munoz was strong in his brief stint with the Sox in 2020, hitting .333 with one homer and a 124 wRC+ through 12 games, and has been stellar with Triple-A Worcester this season. He’s hit .318/.346/.461 through 83 games, hitting eight homers with 36 RBI to go along with a 114 wRC+. His 35-game hit streak broke the organizational record for the longest hit streak by anybody in the Red Sox organization.
Arauz also played with the Sox in 2020, but like Munoz, missed the roster cut. However, unlike Munoz, he’s gotten some major-league at-bats. He’s hit just .207 (6-for-32) with a .522 OPS through 16 games, mustering only two RBI, no homers, and a 46 wRC+.
(Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)