Red Sox recall left-handed pitcher Robbie Ross Jr. from Triple-A Pawtucket

BOSTON, MA - The Boston Red Sox today recalled left-handed pitcher Robbie Ross Jr. from Triple-A Pawtucket. To make room for him on the 25-man roster, infielder Jeff Bianchi was designated for assignment. Ross will be active for tonight's series opener against the Atlanta Braves at Fenway Park beginning at 7:10 p.m.

Executive Vice President/General Manager Ben Cherington made the announcement.

Beginning his fifth stint with Boston this season, Ross, 25, has a 5.29 ERA (10 ER/17.0 IP) with 12 strikeouts and no record in 15 relief appearances for the Red Sox. The left-hander, who made the Red Sox Opening Day roster this year, last appeared for the major league club on May 30 at Texas, allowing two runs over 3.0 innings in relief with three strikeouts. In four games over three stints with Pawtucket this year, Ross has allowed three runs in 7.0 innings (3.86 ERA) with six strikeouts. Acquired via trade from the Rangers on January 27, Ross has gone 13-8 with a 4.08 ERA (101 ER/222.2 IP) and 168 strikeouts in 165 career major league games (12 starts) between the Rangers (2013-14) and Red Sox (2015). 

Bianchi, 28, appeared in three games over two major league stints with the Red Sox, going 0-for-2 while seeing action at shortstop and third base. The right-handed batter began the season with 17 games for Pawtucket, hitting .302 (16-for-53) with two doubles, four RBI, and six runs scored. Defensively for the PawSox, he appeared in nine games at second base, five at shortstop, three in left field, and one at first base. He also threw 3.0 innings of relief on April 12. For his major league career, Bianchi has appeared in 165 games between the Milwaukee Brewers (2012-14) and Red Sox (2015), batting .215 (81-for-377) with 11 doubles, one triple, four home runs, and 40 RBI.