Mitch Moreland, Blake Swihart in line to benefit from release of Hanley Ramirez

The removal of Hanley Ramirez from the Red Sox' roster should have immediate consequences for two players: Mitch Moreland, of course, and less obviously, Blake Swihart.

A look at how they stand to benefit:

Moreland: It was Moreland's stellar performance that motivated the move in the first place. Through the first 50 games of the season, Moreland posted a slash line of .311/.390/.612 with seven homers and 22 RBI.

Moreover, five of his homers have come in his last 14 games. Among American League players with 100 or more at-bats, he places fifth in slugging and fifth in OPS.

"We really do like Mitch Moreland a lot,'' said president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski. "As Alex (Cora) had mentioned, there were certain right-handers he was sitting him against in order to get Hanley more time ... I think everybody acknowledges that we're a better defensive club when Mitch is (at first base).

"We've been working toward Mitch playing more, the way Mitch keeps playing, so we just think it's time to make that move and put Mitch in the lineup more.''

And though Moreland came to Boston two years ago with the reputation of being essentially a platoon player who had difficulty hitting lefthanders, he batted a point higher against lefties than righties last season (.247 vs. .246) and has had competitive at-bats against lefties this season.

"We can maximize this roster a little bit better now,'' said Cora, pointing to the versatility of bench players Brock Holt and Eduardo Nunez, now freed for utility duty with the return of Dustin Pedroia.

Left unanswered for now: will the transition from platoon player to everyday starter expose Moreland? Moreland is in his ninth year in the big leagues and not until last year -- when, ironically, Ramirez was deemed unavailable for first base duty because of shoulder issues -- did he top 500 at-bats in a single season.

Swihart: If Moreland's suitability as a regular remains largely unknown, then Swihart's projection is even more difficult. At 26, he has just 385 lifetime at-bats in the big leagues.

"He's versatile,'' said Cora. "We can play him in left, we can play him at first. ... We've been talking about this since February. Obviously, it hasn't happened. But I do feel that he can play against lefties at first base. He's athletic enough, he can make plays. At the same time, we can catch him a little bit now. A few days ago, he was out of the equation. And now he's part of the equation and we're going to maximize his talent. He's going to be part of the equation. He's going to get more at-bats and now you're probably going to see him in a more active role.''

That Cora would mention Swihart would be catching "a little bit now,'' was particularly surprising, since, in theory, Ramirez's departure doesn't change anything about the team's catching situation. The Sox have gotten virtually nothing offensively from catchers Sandy Leon and Christian Vazquez (combined OPS before Friday: .516, easily the worst at the position for MLB's 30 teams), but Cora has indicated that the team valued game-calling and handling the pitching staff first and foremost.

But a recent appearance behind the plate by Swihart may have changed Cora's thinking.

"I do feel that, little by little, the way we talk in that locker room, why not?'' said Cora. "We've been going a long time with the two guys. Obviously, they're swinging the bat better, they're doing a lot better. But I do think that there's going to be certain spots that we do feel that he can catch. And that bat in the lineup is going to help us out. He only has a handful of at-bats so it's not fair just to throw him out there right now. We'll give him his at-bats, we'll get him ready and I do feel he's going to contribute.

"The game that opened my eyes was when he came in last week, it's a two-run game and Steven (Wright) and he didn't even blink. That worked. I mean, for him to come in and catch a knuckleballer after not catching since Fort Myers, that caught my eye. The conversation started going. I have to see it. But that day, I was like, 'We can do something here.'"

Swihart will also take more groundballs at first to try get more comfortable at the position, and be ready to help in left field, too, in addition to the promise of some time behind the plate.

The promise of additional playing time is now before him.

"I think it gives me more opportunity to play,'' said Swihart of the move with Ramirez, "so anything I can do to get into the lineup, I want to do. If that was the move for this to happen, then I just (want to take advantage).''