Red Sox make roster decision, send down infielder with Alex Bregman returning Friday

BOSTON — Ahead of Alex Bregman’s return to their lineup Friday, the Red Sox sent down a player who has been with them since Opening Day.

The club informed second baseman David Hamilton after Thursday’s win that he is being optioned to the WooSox, sources confirmed, meaning Bregman will be in the lineup for Friday night’s game. Bregman returns after missing 43 games with a right quad strain he suffered on May 23.

Hamilton, who made the Opening Day roster as a backup infielder, has appeared in 62 games this season. He hit .179 (22-for-123) with three homers, 12 RBIs, 31 strikeouts and a .505 OPS in 133 plate appearances. Hamilton, who is seen as a defensive standout, got 29 starts at second base and six more at shortstop while entering most games as a defensive replacement. In the wake of Opening Day second baseman Kristian Campbell being sent down in mid-June, the Red Sox gave Hamilton more playing time at second. He has hit .158 with a homer and four RBIs since June 15.

The two candidates to be sent out to clear a spot for Bregman were Hamilton and rookie Marcelo Mayer, who will vacate the third base position ahead of Bregman’s return. The Red Sox did internally consider sending Mayer down to get everyday at-bats in Triple-A but ultimately decided to keep him in the big leagues. With Bregman assuming full-time duties at third base, Mayer will be in the mix for second base reps alongside Romy Gonzalez, who has started five of the last six games there. Mayer, a natural shortstop who bounced around the infield in the minors, has manned second base for 23 innings since debuting, making three starts.

After hitting a key RBI double in Thursday’s comeback win over the Rays, Mayer said he had not been told anything about playing more at second base.

“I haven’t heard anything,” he said.

The Red Sox are also expected to make moves on the pitching side of their roster Friday. A source told MassLive that reliever Isaiah Campbell has also been optioned to Worcester to make room for the return of Hunter Dobbins, who will come off the injured list and start Friday.