Report: Red Sox set to acquire catcher Javy Lopez ESPN.com news services
Looking for help at catcher following the injury to captain Jason Varitek, the Red Sox are set to acquire veteran Javy Lopez from the Baltimore Orioles, ESPN Radio in Boston is reporting.
While talks are moving forward and a deal could be in place as soon as Friday, ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney reports that this is not a done deal.
Lopez has been upset over the lack of playing time he was receiving in Baltimore and asked for his release. The 35-year-old Lopez is hitting .265 with eight HR and 31 RBI.
Varitek underwent arthroscopic surgery for a cartilage tear in his left knee on Thursday and is expected to be sidelined four to six weeks.
The surgery was performed at Massachusetts General Hospital by Red Sox medical director Dr. Thomas Gill, who said the procedure went as planned.
Varitek was placed on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday after injuring his knee rounding second base in the second inning of Monday's 9-8 victory over the Cleveland Indians.
Varitek, who had been on the disabled list just once in his first nine seasons, was playing in his 1,000th career game as a catcher Monday. The switch hitter is batting .243 with 11 homers and 50 RBI.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
