By SeanMcAdam
CSNNE.com
NEW YORK -- A series of nagging injuries and one case of a stomach virus sent the Red Sox scrambling late Wednesday afternoon, desperate to get a catcher to Yankee Stadium in time for the start of the middle game of the team's three-game set with the New York Yankees.
Catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, who became ill after Tuesday's game, was sent to a local area hospital to be checked out. The Sox believed Saltalamacchia was suffering from a stomach virus or similar ailment, but knowing that he would be unavailable for Wednesday night, needed another catcher to back up Jason Varitek.
Luis Exposito, who had been with Triple A Pawtucket in Norfolk, Va., arrived in New York late in the afternoon and was expected to be on hand by game time. Exposito was hitting .223 with three homers and 15 RBI in 33 games for Pawtucket.
Since Saltalamacchia is expected to recover in the next day or so, the Sox didn't want to place him on the DL, so they were forced to put reliever Bobby Jenks on the DL.
Jenks came out of the game in the seventh inning Tuesday night after experiencing some back spasms while facing his only hitter. Jenks said he usually recovers from a bout with spasms in a "few days,'' but needing a spot for Exposito, the Sox had no other choice.
Either Thursday or Friday, the Sox are expected to return Exposito to Pawtucket and recall a pitcher to give them 12 pitchers again.
Boston Red Sox
Michael Bowden is the likely choice to be summoned to fill Jenks's spot in the bullpen.
Terry Francona said lefty reliever Franklin Morales, who was placed on the DL last week with a forearm strain, threw a bullpen session Monday afternoon at Fenway and was scheduled to throw another Wednesday.
As long as he suffered no setbacks Wednesday afternoon, Morales, obtained in a trade with Colorado last month, will be sent on a rehab assignment this weekend at Pawtucket.
Sean McAdam can be reached at smcadam@comcastsportsnet.com.Follow Sean on Twitter at http:twitter.comsean_mcadam