Lars

Anderson

Anderson was a top prospect with the Red Sox a decade ago but didn’t pan out, playing just 30 games in the majors and none since 2012. The 31-year-old played in Japan, Australia and Germany over the last two years.

Anderson, 23, spent the entire season at the Triple-A level, batting .265/.369/.422 with 14 homers, 78 RBI and a .791 OPS over 577 plate appearances. He doesn’t figure to get much playing time down the stretch.

Gonzalez clubbed a solo homer in the bottom of the sixth inning before being replaced by Lars Anderson at first base in the top of the seventh, so the timing of his exit is curious. Stay tuned for an update on his status.

Anderson has worked in the outfield some this season for Pawtucket, offering Boston enough versatility to be comfortable with him replacing Jason Repko on the roster. Anderson posted a stellar .343/.425/.543 batting line this spring in the Grapefruit League, but he had just a .791 OPS in his second full season at Triple-A last year and is batting only .255/.358/.400 in 67 plate appearances for Pawtucket in 2012. At this point, he’s only worth a look in deep AL-only leagues or keeper formats.

The slam came off veteran right-hander Jason Bulger. Anderson would have been part of the A’s messy first-base situation right now had last summer’s Rich Harden trade gone through. Since Harden failed his physical, Anderson stayed with Boston, though he likely remains available in trade talks. He’s set to return to Triple-A Pawtucket unless something changes.

Ross left Wednesday’s game against the Twins due to left knee soreness. He’s considered day-to-day right now and should be back Friday. Lars Anderson will make the start in left field Thursday and bat eighth against right-hander Phil Humber.

Anderson posted a stellar .343/.425/.543 batting line this spring in the Grapefruit League. But the Red Sox want him to get regular playing time, and it wouldn’t have been available to him early this season in Boston.

Anderson got just eight at-bats in his nine-day stay with the Red Sox and managed only one hit. The 24-year-old should be back up in the majors at some point this summer.

Anderson has lost some of his luster as a prospect and was batting just .259/.359/.415 in 401 plate appearances this season for Triple-A Pawtucket. But he’s only 24 years old and was once considered a top-notch talent.

Anderson’s star has faded big-time over the last couple years, and he batted just .250/.353/.396 with nine homers this season at Triple-A. He could be in the mix for a bench job next spring.