Boston Red Sox to call up catcher Blake Swihart for MLB debut

The Boston Red Sox will call up catching prospect Blake Swihart on Saturday, according to multiple reports.

The Boston Red Sox will call up catching prospect Blake Swihart on Saturday, according to multiple reports.

In the wake of Red Sox catcher Ryan Hanigan's broken knuckle, which he suffered Friday night, Swihart, 23, will make his MLB debut in Saturday's game against the New York Yankees.

Swihart rates as baseball's 17th best prospect according to Baseball America, and put up a .333/.375/.533 slash line in spring training with the big league squad. The plan was for him to develop at Triple-A Pawtucket a bit longer, but injuries to Hanigan and catcher Sandy Leon.

In 18 games with Pawtucket, Swihart hit .338, with a .392 on-base percentage and .382 slugging, plus 11 RBIs.

Comcast SportsNet New England's Sean McAdam reported the Red Sox will continue to explore external options at the position.

- Jeremy Woo