ANAHEIM -- For the Red Sox's series opener at Angel Stadium on Friday, Christian Vázquez exchanged his usual catcher’s gear for a first baseman’s mitt.

That’s becoming a more regular occurrence. Vazquez, who didn’t play any first base in his first four Major League seasons, has gotten five starts there in 2019, including three in August.

With Jose Suarez, a left-hander, starting for the Angels on Friday, manager Alex Cora saw a natural opportunity to give Sandy Leon his first start at catcher since Aug. 18. Regular first baseman Mitch Moreland, a left-handed hitter, will be available to pinch-hit for Leon, if necessary, at which point Moreland would stay in the game and Vazquez would move to catcher.

Most importantly, though, it’s a way to keep Vazquez’s bat in the lineup. In August, he’s batting .301/.333/.506 with three homers and 11 RBIs. Cora feels that doesn’t come at the expense of defense, though.

“He’s actually a good infielder,” said Cora. “He moves his feet, he has good hands, good instincts. Growing up, he was a third baseman. He takes ground balls every day. I saw him play first base back home in winter ball, and when you see his actions, there’s no hesitation with him out there.”

With Moreland out of the lineup, Sam Travis made his fifth start of season at designated hitter, batting fifth.

Benintendi back in lineup

After sitting out three games with left side tightness, Andrew Benintendi was back in the lineup on Friday, batting sixth and playing left field. Benintendi last played on Saturday in San Diego, when he exited the game in the bottom of the sixth after a swing and miss left him a little sore.

“He’s OK,” said Cora. “He actually swung the bat on Wednesday off the machine. There’s no limitations.”

Benintendi entered Friday'a game hitting .283/.357/.462 with 12 homers and 63 RBIs this season.

Chavis scratched from rehab start

Second baseman Michael Chavis, who has been rehabbing with Triple-A Pawtucket, was pulled from the second game of their doubleheader on Friday night with soreness in his right side. Chavis was in the lineup when the game started, but was pinch-hit for in his first at-bat. He will be reevaluated on Saturday.

Chavis has been on the injured list since Aug. 12 with a left AC joint sprain. He has played eight rehab games with Pawtucket, in which he has gone 10-for-26 with three homers, including two in the first game of Friday’s doubleheader.