Red Sox put Curtis Mead on IL with broken wrist

The Boston Red Sox will be without newly acquired infielder Curtis Mead for an undetermined period after he suffered a fractured left wrist in his debut with the team on Monday, July 27. The injury, which occurred just two days after the Red Sox traded for him, represents a significant immediate setback for a club that had hoped the slugger would bolster its lineup.

Mead was struck on the left wrist by a 95-mile-per-hour fastball from Oakland Athletics starter Jack Perkins during his second plate appearance in the top of the fourth inning. He initially remained in the game, taking first base and playing the bottom of the fourth inning at second base before being removed in the fifth. Initial X-rays taken Monday were negative, leading to cautious optimism from the team, but follow-up tests on Tuesday, July 28, revealed the fracture.

The 25-year-old expressed his disappointment to reporters before Tuesday's game, saying the injury did not feel real given it happened in his first game. He added that there would be a break before his next one. Red Sox manager Chad Tracy had described Mead as sore but potentially having dodged a bullet after Monday's contest, but the diagnosis a day...