The Red Sox on Friday designated for a signment veteranfirst baseman/DH Hanley Ramirez to open a spot on their MLB roster for second baseman Dustin Pedroia (offseason knee surgery) to be activated from the disabled list, the team announced.The Nolan Ryan Jersey #RedSox today returned 2B Dustin Pedroia from his injury rehabilitation a signment with Triple-A Pawtucket and activated him from the 10-day disabled list. pic.twitter.com/biUrKslHuf Red Sox (@RedSox) May 25, 2018To make room on the 25-man roster, the #RedSox designated 1B/DH Hanley Ramirez for a signment. Red Sox (@RedSox) May 25, 2018By effectively cutting ties with the veteran, the Red Sox will have to eat the more than $15 million Ramirez, 34, is owed for the rest of the 2018 season. But, as The Boston Globe noted, the Sox”avoid a potentially awkward situation related to his $22 million vesting option for 2019″ had he reached 497 plate appearances this year, which at his current pace he has 195 seemed all but a sured if he remained in the lineup.The Red Sox now have seven days to trade or release Ramirez, who thanked Red Sox Nation in a tweet early Friday afternoon: “It’s been real. Love you always.”Thank you #RedSoxNation. It’s been real. Love you always Hanley Ramirez (@HanleyRamirez) May 25, 2018The situation is an odd turn in a season in which Ramirez began as a force in the middle of the AL East-leading Red Sox’s lineup. Proclaiming himself fit after offseason left-shoulder surgery, he slashed .330/.400/.474 with three homers in April. Things have fallen off since, and yet he ranks third on the team with 44 starts and has batted in the No. 3 spotin the lineup in 38 of the team’s 50 games.Through 44 games, Ramirez is hitting .245/.313/.395.In short, his continued struggles, which reminded the team of his problems in 2017 and back to 2015, left him vulnerable. His defense at first base couldn’t make up https://www.rangersedges.com/texas-rangers/ferguson-jenkins-jersey for his offensive liabilities, especially with former Gold Glover Mitch Moreland also available.Team president Dave Dombrowski on Friday told reporters (via The Globe) that manager Alex Coracalled him with the idea that Ramirez was the odd man out. “We were prepared to go in a different direction with our move,” Dombrowski said.Dombrowski: ‘we were prepared to go in a different direction with our move.’ Said Cora called him yesterday at 11:30 to suggest this. Wanted Moreland to play more, didn’t see Hanley as a great bench fit, allowed Sox to keep Swihart. Alex Speier (@alexspeier) May 25, 2018So faced with opening a spot on their 25-man roster by 1) trading Blake Swihart, whose versatility makes him attractive,2) optioning Jackie Bradley Jr., also struggling but a strong defensive outfielder, or Brock Holt to Triple-A or 3) puttingEduardo Nunez on the DL, the team opted insteadto part ways with Ramirez.Friday’s move ends a frequently rocky three-plus seasons in Boston in Ramirez’s return as a free agent, signing a four-year, $88 million deal, with the team for which he made his MLB debut in 2005. His best year in Hanley v.2 was 2016, when he emerged as a power force with 30 home runs.The news overshadowedPedroia’s activation from the DL for a weekend series at Fenway Park against the Braves.Pedroia’s return comes exactly seven months after surgery on his left knee.He was 1 for 14 in his five-game rehab a signment atTriple-A Pawtucket, prompting Cora to joke to reporters (via The A sociated Pre s),He’s saving his hits for Fenway.A franchise stalwart,Pedroia, 34, is in his 13th season with the Red Sox. The 2008 AL MVP issixth among all Red Sox hitters in doubles (394) and stolen bases (138)and eighth in hits (1,802) and total bases (2,646).Pedroia is not in the lineup Friday, but Cora said he would beFriday or Saturdayand will bat somewhereafter first or second in the order. Cora https://www.rangersedges.com/texas-rangers/delino-deshields-jersey says he plans to stay with Mookie Betts and Andrew Benintendi in the Nos. 1 and 2 spots in the lineup.