Red Sox Activate RHP Koji Uehara from 15-Day DL
Option LHP Tommy Layne to Triple-A Pawtucket
BOSTON, MA - The Boston Red Sox today activated right-handed pitcher Koji Uehara from the 15-day disabled list. To make room for him on the 25-man roster, left-handed pitcher Tommy Layne was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket following last night's game.
Executive Vice President/General Manager Ben Cherington made the announcement.
Uehara, 40, began the season on the disabled list (retroactive to March 27) with a strained left hamstring. He made three Grapefruit League appearances this spring, last on March 14 against the Pittsburgh Pirates, and one rehab appearance with Single-A Greenville on Saturday night, allowing one run on three hits in one inning pitched against San Francisco's Augusta GreenJackets. Last season, Uehara finished tied for sixth among American League relievers in wins (6), was seventh in saves (26), eighth in save percentage (83.9), and 11th in strikeouts (80), as he earned the first All-Star selection of his major league career. He also ranked second in both strikeout-to-walk ratio (10.0) and walks per nine innings pitched (1.12, 64.1 IP). Over his first two seasons with the Red Sox (2013-14), Uehara did not allow a run in 118 of his 137 appearances (86%), tied for the sixth-most scoreless appearances among all major league pitchers. He owns a 15-15 record and 2.44 ERA (95 ER/350.1 IP) with 61 saves in 294 career big league outings (12 starts).
Layne, 30, has appeared in four games this season, including last night on the road against the New York Yankees. With Boston this year, he has allowed three runs while striking out four in 4.2 innings. In 2014, he went 2-1 with a 0.95 ERA (2 ER/19.0 IP) in a career-high 30 appearances for Boston, becoming the third pitcher in club history to post a sub-1.00 ERA in 30 or more games. He was also named a 2014 International League mid-season All-Star after going 5-1 with a 1.50 ERA (8 ER/48.0 IP) in 38 games with Triple-A Pawtucket. For his major league career, Layne is 4-3 with two saves and a 2.39 ERA (13 ER/49.0 IP) in 74 appearances between Boston (2014-15) and San Diego (2012-13).