Mike Cameron, one of the most disappointing free-agent signings of Theo Epstein's reign as Red Sox general manager, was designated for assignment Thursday, ending a brief and unproductive 1 12-year Boston career.
Infielder Yamaico Navarro was recalled from Pawtucket to take his place on the roster. Navarro will wear No. 60.
Cameron, 38, was hitting .149 for the Sox this season with three home runs and nine runs-batted. It was hoped he would provide a right-handed boost to the lineup, particularly as a quasi-platoon partner with J.D. Drew in right field, but he never got untracked offensively and continued a downward defensive spiral that began when he signed with the Sox.
The Red Sox brought him on board in December 2009 and made him the starting center fielder, with Jacoby Ellsbury moving to left. But an abdominal injury suffered in spring training -- which resulted in his undergoing season-ending surgery in late August -- vastly diminished his Gold Glove-caliber skills in the outfield and limited him to 48 games, in which he hit .259 with 4 homers and 15 RBI.
The Red Sox owe Cameron approximately 4 milllion for the remainder of the season, the last of a two-year, 15.5 million deal.
Navarro, 23, made his major-league debut with the Sox last season and was hitting .258 with 5 homers and 13 RBI for Pawtucket this year. He has played all three outfield positions, along with second base, shortstop and third base, for the PawSox.