Prior to today's game against the Kansas City Royals, the Boston Red Sox announced the following roster moves:
 
•   Catcher Christian Vázquez was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a right fifth finger fracture.
 
•   Left-handed pitcher Brian Johnson was placed on the 10-day disabled list with left hip inflammation, retroactive to July 5.
 
•   Right-handed pitcher William Cuevas was recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket.
 
•   Right-handed pitcher Ryan Brasier was selected to the active major league roster from Pawtucket. He will wear number 70.
 
•   To make room for Brasier on the 40-man roster, the Red Sox transferred right-handed pitcher Austin Maddox to the 60-day disabled list. 
 
President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski made the announcement.
 
Vazquez, 27, has hit .213 (44-for-207) with nine doubles, three home runs, and 14 RBI in 60 games this season. In last night's win at Kansas City, he delivered a two-out, two-run single in the seventh inning to extend the Red Sox' lead. Defensively, the Puerto Rican native has appeared in 59 games (54 starts) behind the plate for Boston this year with the club posting a 19-5 (.792) record in his last 24 starts. 
 
Johnson, 27, has gone 1-2 with a 4.23 ERA (21 ER/44.2 IP) and 37 strikeouts in 24 appearances (three starts) for the Red Sox this year. As a starter, the left-hander has posted a 1-0 record with a 2.45 ERA (4 ER/14.2 IP), with Boston winning all three of his starts, including his most recent outing this past Tuesday against the Washington Nationals. In relief, Johnson has worked in 21 games, posting a 2.25 ERA (4 ER/16.0 IP) over his last 10 such appearances.
 
Cuevas, 27, appeared in one game in his only stint with Boston this season, allowing one run on two hits over 2.0 innings in the Red Sox' 11-4 win at Washington on July 3. The right-hander was optioned to Pawtucket after that game and has not pitched since. Signed by Boston as an international free agent in 2008, Cuevas has made 15 starts for the PawSox this season, going 5-5 with a 3.65 ERA (35 ER/86.1 IP), 67 strikeouts, and 25 walks. 
 
Brasier, 30, has a 1.34 ERA (6 ER/40.1 IP) and a .215 opponent batting average in 34 appearances for the PawSox this season, recording 40 strikeouts against only eight walks while converting 13 of 14 save opportunities. Named a 2018 International League All-Star, the right-hander has not allowed an earned run in any of his last 22 outings (beginning May 14). Signed by the Red Sox as a minor league free agent on March 2, 2018, Brasier was originally selected by the Los Angeles Angels in the sixth round of the 2007 June Draft. His lone major league experience came in 2013 with the Angels, when he appeared in seven games and allowed two runs in 9.0 innings. 
 
Maddox, 27, has spent the entire 2018 season on the disabled list with a right shoulder strain. He appeared in five rehab games with Pawtucket from May 18-June 2, allowing eight runs (seven earned) on 12 hits in 5.2 innings. The right-hander made his major league debut with Boston in 2017, posting a 0.52 ERA (1 ER/17.1 IP) in 13 appearances over four stints with the big league club. He also pitched in Games 1 and 2 of the ALDS against the Houston Astros.