Jackie Bradley Jr. Added To Boston Red Sox Opening Day Roster

Jackie Bradley Jr. has been added to the Boston Red Sox’s 25-man Opening Day roster. Bradley earned his spot on the roster after an impressive offensive push among Grapefruit league leaders. Bradley will take to left field for Monday’s season opener against New York at Yankee’s stadium.

The move to push Bradley Jr. onto the team’s opening day roster was announced by manager John Farrell on Sunday afternoon.

After pushing Bradley onto the 40-man roster, infielder Mauro Gomez was designated for assignment.

The Jackie Bradley Jr. debate has been ongoing for the Red Sox. Had Bradley stayed in the minors until April 12, he could not accrue a year of major league service this season. That move would have pushed Bradley Jr’s first year of free agency through the 2019 season.

Bradley’s service time-clock could still be delayed if he spends 20 or more days cumulatively in the minors through the course of the 2013 MLB season.

Jackie Bradley Jr. has been a very productive Grapefruit league leader, finishing the spring with a .419 batting average, .507 on-base percentage, and a .613 slugging percentage.

With Bradley taking left field on Monday, Jonny Gomes will be pushed into the designated hitter spot.

Other roster moves from the Red Sox include putting pitchers Craig Brewslow and Franklin Morales on the 15-day disabled list. Joining that list is designated hitter David Ortiz (right Achilles tendinopathy). Ortiz was retroactively placed on the disabled list as of March 22.

Do you think the Boston Red Sox made the right decision in pushing Jackie Bradley Jr. onto the 25-man opening day roster for the Boston Red Sox?