BOSTON, MA -- The Boston Red Sox today recalled left-handed pitcher Jalen Beeks from Triple-A Pawtucket. To make room for Beeks on the 25-man roster, the club optioned left-handed pitcher Bobby Poyner to Pawtucket following last night's game against Detroit.
Beeks, who will wear number 68, will start tonight's game against the Tigers in his major league debut, beginning at 7:10 p.m. at Fenway Park.
President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski made the announcement.
Beeks, 24, has made 10 starts for Pawtucket this season, going 3-3 with a 2.56 ERA (16 ER/56.1 IP). He leads the International League in strikeouts (80) and ranks among leaders in WHIP (2nd, 0.98) and opponent batting average (3rd, .197), while his average of 12.78 strikeouts per 9.0 innings ranks first among league starters. Selected by Boston in the 12th round of the 2014 June Draft, Beeks was named Red Sox Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2017 and entered the 2018 season ranked by Baseball America as the No. 11 prospect in the organization. A former teammate of Red Sox outfielder Andrew Benintendi at the University of Arkansas, Beeks has gone 32-26 with a 3.64 ERA (196 ER/484.2 IP) in 90 career minor league appearances (88 starts).
Poyner, 25, pitched a perfect ninth inning in last night's 7-1 win over the Tigers. In 10 relief appearances over four stints with Boston-the first of his big league career-he has allowed two runs on 12 hits over 10.2 innings (1.69 ERA), striking out 10 batters and walking only one. In 10 minor league appearances this season, the left-hander has posted a 3.18 ERA (4 ER/11.1 IP) and a 0.88 WHIP while holding opponents to a .179 batting average. Selected by Boston in the 14th round of the 2015 June Draft, Poyner has appeared in 109 minor league games in his career, posting a 2.40 ERA (43 ER/161.0 IP) with 41 saves and 180 strikeouts compared to 33 walks.