Let the Red Sox fire sale begin.

Today, the team designated veteran catcher A.J. Pierzynski for assignment and have called up prospect Christian Vazquez from Pawtucket to take his spot on the roster.

In 72 games with Boston this season, Pierzynski batted .254 with 4 HR and 32 RBI. Pierzynski signed with the Red Sox in the off-season after spending 2013 with the Texas Rangers. Originally a Minnesota Twin who also played one season with the San Francisco Giants, Pierzynski spent the bulk of his career with the Chicago White Sox where he earned a World Series ring in 2005. Despite a mercurial reputation, he has been among baseball’s best defensive catchers over the past decade. The 37-year old Pierzynski won’t be unemployed for long. I wonder if the Atlanta Braves will call given that Evan Gattis was put on the DL last week.

It looks like the Sox will soon move pitcher Jake Peavy with the St. Louis Cardinals expressing interest in the fiery righthander. Peavy was acquired from the White Sox at the trade deadline last year in a deal that sent Jose Iglesias to the Detroit Tigers.

The Red Sox are currently in last place in the AL East, 10 1/2 games back of the Baltimore Orioles. They have lost four in a row and six of their last seven games.

UPDATE: The Red Sox had five rookies in their starting lineup – starting pitcher Rubby De La Rosa, Xander Bogaerts, super utility man Brock Holt, Mookie Betts and Vazquez behind the plate making his big league debut. White Sox starter Chris Sale dominated Boston for 7 2/3 innings and had a 4-0 lead when Robin Ventura lifted him. The Red Sox got new life once Sale departed scoring five runs off the White Sox bullpen including a walk off single by Holt in the ninth to give the Red Sox a 5-4 win snapping a four game skid.

Will this represent a turning point for the Red Sox? Or is this but a brief respite from futility? Boston has one more game against the Chisox before they travel to Houston to play three games against the Astros before the All-Star Break.