Apparently, only Doug Mirabelli is able to handle the knuckleball of Boston Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield.
According to a report from ESPN.com, the Red Sox have re-acquired the backup catcher from the San Diego Padres on Monday in exchange for catcher Josh Bard, a minor league pitcher and cash.
Traded in the offseason to the Padres for second baseman Mark Loretta, Mirabelli is expected to be in the starting lineup against the New York Yankees on Monday night to catch Wakefield.
Wakefield's personal catcher the previous 4 1/2 seasons, Mirabelli is hitting just .182 in 22 at-bats with San Diego. He hit .228 in 50 games with Boston in 2005, but yielded just six passed balls.
Bard, whom the Red Sox acquired from the Cleveland Indians along with center fielder Coco Crisp in January, has struggled in catching Wakefield's five starts this season, surrendering a major league-leading 10 passed balls.
According to a report from ESPN.com, the Red Sox have re-acquired the backup catcher from the San Diego Padres on Monday in exchange for catcher Josh Bard, a minor league pitcher and cash.
Traded in the offseason to the Padres for second baseman Mark Loretta, Mirabelli is expected to be in the starting lineup against the New York Yankees on Monday night to catch Wakefield.
Wakefield's personal catcher the previous 4 1/2 seasons, Mirabelli is hitting just .182 in 22 at-bats with San Diego. He hit .228 in 50 games with Boston in 2005, but yielded just six passed balls.
Bard, whom the Red Sox acquired from the Cleveland Indians along with center fielder Coco Crisp in January, has struggled in catching Wakefield's five starts this season, surrendering a major league-leading 10 passed balls.
