39 Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C

Red Sox catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia is not in the starting lineup Friday against the Orioles.

Saltalamacchia will be replaced by David Ross. Saltalamacchia is likely just receiving a normal day off and should return to the lineup soon. Saltalamacchia is hitting .276/.338/.503 in 181 at-bats this year. 

Red Sox catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia has strong surface numbers, but his average is being propped up by an extremely high BABIP.

Saltalamacchia has never been a high-average hitter, mainly due to his lofty strikeout rate. He's striking out in a career-high 33.6 percent of his plate appearances, but his average is a solid .276. Even his contact rates are down.

The main culprit behind Salty's strong season is a ridiculously high .396 BABIP. That would ranks sixth highest among all qualified hitters. Saltalamacchia's career BABIP is just .317, so there will be plenty of regression. He could still provide nice power, but he's probably not going to hit above .250 this year if he keeps striking out at this rate. Saltalamacchia is one of the most added players in Fantasy right now, so owners have taken interest. He's an interesting sell-high candidate if another owner will bite. 

Red Sox catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia is on the bench Tuesday against the Rays.

David Ross will start against Rays pitcher Roberto Hernandez. Saltalamacchia had four hits in Monday's extra-inning game. Saltalamacchia played the entire game and is likely getting a routine day of rest. He should return to the starting lineup Wednesday against Chris Archer. 

Red Sox catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia had four hits in Monday's 14-inning 10-8 win at Tampa Bay. Saltalamacchia's RBI single to left in the 14th drove in the game's final run.

Saltalamacchia also drove in the go-ahead runs in the 10th inning with a two-run single to center, but Boston couldn't hold the lead. He finished 4 for 7 with three RBI and is batting .285.

Saltalamacchia, who is hitting .285, has gone 6 for 11 in his last two games with a double, two homers and seven RBI. He has 28 RBI on the year.

Red Sox catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia homered twice Sunday in a 10-5 win over the Angels. He had a solo shot off Joe Blanton in the sixth inning and a three-run homer off Robert Coello in the seventh. 

Saltalamacchia, who has eight homers, was 2 for 4 with two runs scored and four RBI. He's batting .273 and has hit in eight of his last nine games with five doubles, three homers and 11 RBI.