MRI on elbow of Red Sox's Vazquez 'found something'

Boston Red Sox top prospect Blake Swihart might get his chance behind the plate much sooner than initially expected. 

Starting catcher Christian Vazquez had been dealing with soreness in his right elbow for the past two weeks and the 24-year-old told reporters Saturday that an MRI found something, though failed to elaborate on the extent on the injury. 

"I'm waiting. I'm waiting," Vazquez said. "I don't have the answer yet. I’m waiting. Maybe tomorrow – I don't know. I'm waiting right now. They don't know yet. They told me they found something, but I'm looking for a second opinion. They hope it’s not bad."

Manager John Farrell acknowledged that there is still plenty of information left to be processed before moving forward with a decision. 

"I was not told specifically what's going on there," Farrell told Gordon Edes of ESPN. "If, in fact, it involves [the ligament] to what extent, if it is involved, we just know there have been some findings in the MRI. I think before we get too far ahead of ourselves, a second opinion will be had and information compared, but clearly the MRI suggests that there's more information that's going to be had."

A ninth-round pick by the Red Sox in 2008, Vazquez was handed the reigns after a solid rookie season in which the defensive-minded catcher threw out 52 percent of potential base stealers while hitting .240/.308/.309 in 55 games. 

Swihart has already been optioned to minor-league camp but that could change depending on the status of Vazquez. The 22-year-old switch-hitter posted an impressive spring, slashing .333/.385/.500 with one home run in 11 games.

Ryan Hanigan is also an option for the Red Sox should they want to avoid throwing Swihart into the fire to start the season. The eight-year veteran was acquired from the San Diego Padres in December to back up Vazquez.