Red Sox acquire RHP John Cornely from Atlanta for cash considerations
BOSTON, MA - The Boston Red Sox today acquired right-handed pitcher John Cornely from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for cash considerations. Cornely has been optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket.
Executive Vice President/General Manager Ben Cherington made the announcement.
Cornely, who turned 26 on Sunday, made his major league debut this season with one appearance for the Braves, allowing 4 runs in 1.0 inning against the Nationals on April 29. The right-hander has spent most of 2015 with Atlanta's Gwinnett affiliate, his first experience at Triple-A, going 2-2 with one save, a 4.42 ERA (9 ER/18.1 IP), and 24 strikeouts in 12 outings. He ranks fifth among International League relievers with an average of 11.8 strikeouts per nine innings. In 2014, he pitched for Double-A Mississippi and posted a 2.49 ERA (19 ER/68.2 IP) while holding opponents to a .186 batting average, second best among Southern League relievers. A 15th-round selection in the 2011 June Draft, Cornely has appeared in 158 career minor league games in the Braves system, all in relief, going 17-10 with 28 saves and a 2.94 ERA (75 ER/229.1 IP). He has averaged 12.1 strikeouts per nine innings pitched, with 309 strikeouts in the minors.
With this transaction, Boston's 40-man roster is now at 38.