The Boston Red Sox were dealt a tough blow when first baseman Triston Casas suffered a ruptured patellar tendon in his left knee on May 2.
Casas is expected to miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgery and the Red Sox have been trying different options at first base to replace him.
Star third baseman Rafael Devers was asked to make a move to first base but he is uninterested in the idea and will likely stay at designated hitter for now.
Abraham Toro and Nick Sogard have been rotating at the position with Romy Gonzalez, who is dealing with a quad injury, sidelined. The team recently acquired Ryan Noda and optioned him to Triple-A Worcester.
Toro and Sogard have not added much production since Casas and Gonzalez went down, combining for just a .582 OPS and a solo home run.
Rookie Kristian Campbell has been taking reps at first base with the goal being he plays there in the near future, but it is a work in progress.
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An external option for Boston could be Colorado Rockies third and first baseman Ryan McMahon. They haven’t been reported to be suitors for him, but it would make sense to make a call.
McMahon, 30, is coming off an All-Star season that saw him hit 20 home runs with 65 RBI and a .722 OPS. He is off to a slow start this season, slashing just .207/.328/.361 with six home runs and 12 RBI, but he would be a solid option if Boston is interested. McMahon signed a $70 million deal with the Rockies in 2022.
Another external option is veteran first baseman Anthony Rizzo. Rizzo, 35, was drafted by the Red Sox in 2007.
Rizzo is a free agent who may be considering retirement after a rough 2023 and 2024 season, but the three-time All-Star and 2016 World Series champion is a great defender and could find success again at the plate if Boston is desperate to make a move.
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