Red Sox announce roster moves
BOSTON -- The Boston Red Sox today added left-handed pitcher Craig Breslow to the active Major League roster, recalled catcher Ryan Lavarnway from Triple-A Pawtucket, placed outfielder Daniel Nava on the 15-day disabled list (retroactive to July 29) with a left wrist sprain and optioned right-handed pitcher Clayton Mortensen to Pawtucket. Breslow and Lavarnway will be active for tonight’s game against the Tigers at Fenway Park, wearing numbers 32 and 60, respectively.
The announcements were made by Executive Vice President/General Manager Ben Cherington.
The 31-year-old Breslow, who was acquired from Arizona yesterday, was 2-0 with a 2.70 ERA (13 ER/43.1 IP) in 40 relief outings for the Diamondbacks in 2012. His 42 strikeouts are eighth among National League lefty relievers and he has recorded 17 K’s in 13.0 frames over his last 11 appearances. Breslow has held opponents scoreless in seven of eight games in July, tallying a 1.08 ERA (1 ER/8.1 IP) in the month. He spent the 2006 season in the Red Sox organization after signing as a minor league free agent and made 13 appearances with Boston that year, posting a 3.75 ERA (5 ER/12.0 IP). Originally selected by the Brewers in the 26th round of the 2002 First-Year Player Draft, he has made 335 career Major League relief appearances over parts of seven seasons with the Padres (2005), Red Sox (2006), Indians (2008), Twins (2008-09), A’s (2009-11) and Diamondbacks (2012). His 3.02 career ERA (108 ER/322.1 IP) is the third-best mark in relief among active left-handers with at least 300.0 innings pitched, and he has recorded 277 strikeouts while going 14-17 with six saves.
For Lavarnway, 24, this marks his first stint of the season with the Red Sox. The right-handed batter has hit .295 (94-for-319) with 22 doubles, eight home runs, 43 RBI, 52 runs scored and 40 walks in 83 games for Pawtucket in 2012, including an International League-leading 80 appearances behind the plate. He served as the starting catcher for the International League All-Star Team and ranks second on the PawSox in runs, hits, and doubles (tied). Selected by the Red Sox in the sixth round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft, Lavarnway made his Major League debut with Boston in 2011 and batted .231 (9-for-39) with two doubles, two home runs, eight RBI, five runs and four walks in 17 games over two stints.
Nava, 29, has appeared in 65 games for the Red Sox since he was selected to the active Major League roster on May 10, batting .251 (50-for-199) with 17 doubles, four home runs, 27 RBI, 32 runs and 32 walks. Nava, who began the year with 27 games for the PawSox, ranks sixth among qualifying American League outfielders with a .373 on-base percentage since his call-up. Signed by the Red Sox as a minor league free agent in January of 2008, the switch-hitter has appeared in 125 career Major League games over the 2010 and 2012 seasons, and tallied a .247 average (89-for-360) with 31 doubles, a triple, five home runs, 53 RBI, 55 runs, 51 walks and four stolen bases.
Mortensen, 27, was recalled for his fourth stint with the Red Sox yesterday and earned the win in last night’s victory over the Tigers. In 10 appearances for Boston this season the right-hander has a 1.17 ERA (3 ER/23.0 IP) with 17 strikeouts compared to seven walks while holding opponents to a .169 clip (13-for-77). He is 5-3 with two saves, a 1.77 ERA (7 ER/35.2 IP) and 35 strikeouts in 22 relief outings with the PawSox this year. Acquired by Boston from Colorado in January, Mortensen has appeared in 34 Major League games (13 starts) with the Cardinals (2009), Athletics (2009-10), Rockies (2011) and Red Sox (2012), going 5-8 with a 4.35 ERA (57 ER/118.0 IP) and 67 strikeouts, including a 2.54 ERA (14 ER/49.2 IP) in 21 Big League relief appearances.