Prior to today's game against the Tampa Bay Rays, the Boston Red Sox made the following roster moves:
Right-handed pitcher Craig Kimbrel was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a left knee medial meniscus tear. On Monday, he will undergo surgery to repair cartilage in his left knee. Head Team Orthopedist Dr. Peter Asnis will perform the procedure at Massachusetts General Hospital. Kimbrel is expected to miss three to six weeks.
Right-handed pitcher Noe Ramirez was recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket.
Infielder/outfielder Michael Martinez was added to the active major league roster. He will wear number 40.
Infielder Marco Hernandez was optioned to Pawtucket.
President of Baseball Operations David Dombrowski made the announcement.
This marks the first disabled list stint in the major league career of Kimbrel, 28, who was named to the American League All-Star team as a manager's selection on Tuesday. In 34 appearances for Boston this year, the right-hander has gone 1-3 with a 3.55 ERA (13 ER/33.0 IP) and 50 strikeouts, while converting 17 saves in 19 opportunities. In his first year with the Red Sox, Kimbrel ranks third among AL relievers in strikeouts per nine innings (13.64), tied for seventh in strikeouts, ninth in opponent batting average (.178), and 10th in both saves (tied) and save percentage (89.4). Over his big league career, the Huntsville, AL native has gone 20-15 with 242 saves, a 1.79 ERA (76 ER/381.1 IP), and 613 strikeouts in 389 games for the Atlanta Braves (2010-14), San Diego Padres (2015), and Red Sox (2016).
Ramirez, 26, has made 11 relief appearances over five stints with Boston this season, posting no record and a 6.55 ERA (8 ER/11.0 IP) with 11 strikeouts. The right-hander has also made 17 appearances with Pawtucket this year, earning three saves and going 1-3 with a 2.45 ERA (7 ER/25.2 IP) and 23 strikeouts compared to eight walks. A fourth-round selection by the Red Sox in the 2011 June Draft, Ramirez has a career 0-1 record with a 5.25 ERA (14 ER/24.0 IP) and 24 strikeouts in 28 major league relief outings, all with the Red Sox. Over five minor league seasons, the 2014 Eastern League mid-season All-Star has a 2.83 ERA (93 ER/295.2 IP) and 274 strikeouts alongside a 12-14 record in 141 games (17 starts).
Martinez, who was acquired yesterday from Cleveland in exchange for cash considerations, hit .283 (17-for-60) with three doubles and a home run in 32 games for the Indians this season, making five starts in right field, three in center field, two at second base, one at third base, and one in left field. Originally signed by the Washington Nationals as a non-drafted free agent in 2005, the 33-year-old switch-hitter has batted .199 (98-for-493) in 236 major league games (115 starts) while appearing at six defensive positions for the Philadelphia Phillies (2011-13), Pittsburgh Pirates (2014), and Indians (2015-16). A native of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Martinez has recorded five assists and four double plays in 81 games (37 starts) as an outfielder and has also played second base (48 games, 29 starts), third base (41 games, 33 starts), and shortstop (24 games, 16 starts).
Hernandez, 23, has appeared in 29 games (nine starts) over two stints with the Red Sox during his first major league season, batting .295 (13-for-44) with one double, one home run, five RBI, seven runs scored, and a .367 on-base percentage. The Dominican native played in nine games (six starts) at third base, also appearing defensively at second base (eight games, two starts) and shortstop (two games, one start). In 24 games with Pawtucket this season, the left-handed batter has hit .333 (31-for-93) with a .386 on-base percentage, five doubles, one triple, and one home run. Over seven minor league seasons between the Chicago Cubs (2010-14) and Red Sox (2015-16) organizations, he has hit .282 (650-for-2,305) with 116 doubles, 30 triples, 27 home runs, and 264 RBI in 601 games.