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Jarrod Saltalamacchia returns to lineup uncertainty: ‘It’s frustrating not knowing’ about role 08.05.12 at 7:44 am ET
By Alex Speier

Jarrod Saltalamacchia has started just six of the last 17 games behind the plate. (AP)

Jarrod Saltalamacchia was back in the Red Sox clubhouse and in the lineup on Saturday, but slightly bemused by the characterization of his absence from the park during Friday’s game. Contrary to the suggestion of manager Bobby Valentine, the catcher had been forced out of action not by an ear infection but instead by a violent stomach bug. He was felled by food poisoning in the middle of Thursday’s game, and was sent home prior to Friday’s game when the symptoms persisted.

“I don’t know where that got out,” Saltalamacchia said of the suggestion of an ear infection. “It was food poisoning. … It just hit me like a ton of bricks — fever, everything — so they sent me home.”

The idea that he had an ear infection was not the only source of recent confusion for Saltalamacchia. After spending most of the first half as the Sox’ everyday catcher, he has seen his playing time and role change considerably. He’s started just nine of the last 17 games for the Red Sox; he’s been the starting catcher in just six contests, with Kelly Shoppach now getting the majority of starts behind the plate.

Yet to this point, Saltalamacchia has been left to guess about the nature of his role redefinition. He said that no one has talked with him about what his new job description might be. He discussed the issue matter-of-factly and without rancor, but at the same time, acknowledged that the lack of clarity has been challenging.

“They may have their own discussions, but I haven’t heard anything,” said Saltalamacchia. “It is [frustrating] in a sense, just because I want to play. I think everyone in this clubhouse wants to play. It’s frustrating not knowing. Early in the season, when there was a lefty pitching, I knew I wasn’t going to be playing, and when there was a righty, I was. But the last few weeks it’s been kind of hit or miss with DH-ing. Still been playing against righties, but as a DH and catching. My preference would still be catching. But I don’t make the lineup. I don’t know if [manager Bobby Valentine] is trying to give us both [Shoppach and Saltalamacchi] a little rest to make a run at the end. I don’t know. I just play when I play.”

Of course, given that he was on pace to shatter career highs in games caught in the majors, and the fact that his production tailed off considerably starting in June, the catcher may have stood to benefit from additional rest. And indeed, he has been showing improvement at the plate of late, having hit .281/.361/.594/.955 with three homers and four walks in his last 10 games. Still, the 27-year-old suggests that he can gain from time off only to a point.

“I think there’s always a benefit to maybe a day, but I don’t see a benefit if you take three or four days off,” said Saltalamacchia. “If anything, it kind of hurts you, puts you in a handcuff, because you’re not catching those guys everyday. Those guys click, something goes well, you see that and then you have a feel of what to call, what to do. Obviously, the more you catch a team, the more you know them, the better you can call a game. Same thing with catching and receiving — the more you receive and block, the better you become. Hitting as well — the more at-bats you’re going to get, the better you get, the quicker you come out of slumps, the better you start swinging.”

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  • Anonymous

    More “let’s pull for the team” comments from this bunch. Hey, Salty, call a decent game and don’t strike out 3 times every night with runners on base. You were not doing the former and were doing the latter before you got benched. Another lost cause who has to be whisked away from this franchise.

    How many bottoms of the barrel do you have to have before you really get there? Maybe today we’ll find out? Who next though The Rangers? Yi-yi-yi.

  • Linda Austin

    Salty, you stink. You’re a bad defensive catcher and a .230 hitter.
    You are not a frontline catcher and since you’re lousy as a defensive player and really stink as a hitter your time in the big leagues is limited because you’re not an attractive backup.
    How’s that for clarifying your role.
    Enjoy the current ride Salty. 3 years from now you won’t be in the big leagues. 

  • Anonymous

    Actually Jarrod, we thank you for caring and being one of those on this team of babies and losers that seems to really want to win a game.  Unfortunately,  every time you come to the plate I turn to the person sitting next to me at Fenway (long-time season ticket holder) and win a bet because I always predict that you are going to strike out.   With casinos, the odds are with the house.  With you, the odds are that you will strike out a whole lot of times.  Love the fact that you try though.  That is truly appreciated.   I’m glad you got out of bed in time to make it to the game on that furniture company commercial.

  • WHO CARES

    Salty your role is when you are playing try to hit the ball when you are batting, cathch the ball when your the cathcher and when your not in root for your team. Just like in little league,also keep the bat off of your shoulder.

  • Bbndenial

    This Team just doesn’t get it …..  They keep talking about things that should and could be kept in the clubhouse …. All i here is ME ME ME me ME me me.  me me ME me 

  • Anonymous

    Salty reminds me of the little engine that could but…. he just cant.

  • jeffsharlamo@yahoo.com

    You should have been in the trade package with Texas with Beckett , Ellsbury and about 2 or 3 other regulars who can’t  hit with men on base and then maybe it would have happened. God knows you cant call a game. When are the Red Sox going to hire Varitek to be a bench coach and then maybe he could call the pitches and the pitchers wouldn’t be shaking them off as much as they are now.

  • http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/ZVFM2HRNC5CTO2OUXD4XTX65O4 Dennis

     Knock off the “Ole” crap when you swing and miss, keep your mouth shut and play when they tell you to play.

  • Rilawman

    This guy personifies this team.  He sucks, the team sucks but they can’t figure out why.  You’re  lucky Epstein liked you because if he didn’t you would still be in someone’s farm system.  Just shut up and try to hit the ball.

  • ghost of lou gorman

    Linda Austin a.k.a. Bobby Valentines WEEI screen name

  • anguillaman3

    Theo was absolutely in “LOVE” with Salty….he had to have him…wanted the guy for years…what more do “you” need to know.

  • Normdubois

       Imagine that! In another article Nick Punto, of all people, says “We’re very mediocre” in talking about the Red Sox. He’s the last one that should be making a statement like that, because he’s the most mediocre player on the team. Then in this article you have Saltalamachia saying he’s confused as to why they said that he had an ear infection but instead it was food poisoning. (What’s the difference?), he’s also mostly confused because he has seen his playing time and role cahnge. He says, “It’s frustrating, just because I want to play”.  Of course he wants to play, but it’s not confusing and pretty much self explanatory. When a player strikes out 1/3 of the time (278 AB’s
    93 K’s) on a regular basis, he usually becomes a ‘non regular’ player.   But whether it’s a Punto or
    Salatalamachia or anyone else not performing well, it’s easy to  just ‘Blame the manager’!  

  • catfish hunter

    Sucks? Red sox nation was upset when he wasn’t an all- star, just goes to show you how smart they are in Boston.

  • Perfidias

    What is there to guess about?  Hit the ball with your bat and throw some runners out.  Management would only love to give him playing time if he did.  If not, try someone who might get the job done.  Same goes with the pitching.  As a fan, at this point in the season, I am not too concerned about anyone’s feelings and all the whining, I want to win. 

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