Red Sox reshuffle roster following Curtis Mead trade

Boston acquired second baseman Curtis Mead from the Washington Nationals over the weekend, prompting interim manager Chad Tracy to adjust the roster during a transcontinental flight on Sunday. Tracy said adding a "really, really powerful hitter" required strategic planning as the team prepared for a seven-game road trip that includes several left-handed pitchers.

The trade cleared a roster spot, sending infielder Tsung-Che Cheng to Triple-A Worcester and positioning Andruw Monasterio as the everyday shortstop. Backup shortstop Caleb Durbin, who has played the position in the minors, will serve as a defensive option later in games.

Second baseman Anthony Seigler, who has been a key leadoff hitter, will see reduced playing time. Seigler acknowledged the change, stating, "I’m OK with the position that I’m in right now. Moving forward, whatever they need from me, I’m gonna do."

Tracy also moved Ceddanne Rafaela from the No. 2 spot to fifth in the order to allow more aggressive base-stealing, a decision that paid off when Rafaela hit a grand slam in the sixth inning. He shifted Willson Contreras to the top of the lineup to maximize the team's offensive output.

Mead, who has been traded four times, described his arrival as different from previous moves, noting that building relationships with teammates helped ease the transition. Meanwhile, pitcher Connelly Early, who was dealt to the Nationals as part of the deal, expressed excitement about playing closer to his family in Virginia and reported that his elbow feels good after a brief rehab appearance.