Red Sox recall right-handed pitcher Steven Wright from Triple-A Pawtucket
Option right-handed pitcher Alex Wilson to Pawtucket
BOSTON, MA - The Boston Red Sox today recalled right-handed pitcher Steven Wright from Triple-A Pawtucket. To make room for him on the 25-man roster, right-handed pitcher Alex Wilson was optioned to Pawtucket following yesterday's game. Wright will be active for tonight's 8:00 p.m. game against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park.
Executive Vice President/General Manager Ben Cherington made the announcement.
This season, Wright, 29, is 6-2 with a 2.85 ERA (24 ER/75.2 IP), 60 strikeouts and only 56 hits and 16 walks allowed over 12 starts between Double-A Portland (1 start) and Triple-A Pawtucket (11 starts). The right-handed knuckleballer began the season on the disabled list recovering from right sports hernia surgery and was activated on June 4 after making one rehab start each with Portland and Pawtucket. Since his 2014 PawSox debut on May 31, the native of Torrance, CA ranks among International League leaders in strikeouts (T-4th, 56) and ERA (6th, 2.80). He was named International League Pitcher of the Week for July 7-14 after allowing two runs in 16.0 innings over two starts during that span (1.13 ERA). Wright made his big league debut with four outings for the Red Sox last year, including one start, and went 2-0 with a 5.40 ERA (8 ER/13.1 IP) and 10 strikeouts. Acquired by the Red Sox at the 2012 trade deadline after converting to knuckleball to begin the 2011 season.
Wilson, 27, allowed one run in 2.1 innings out of the bullpen last night after being recalled earlier in the day for his fourth stint with the Red Sox this season. In three relief outings with Boston this year, he has no record and a 3.38 ERA (2 ER/5.1 IP). He returns to Pawtucket, where he is 4-1 with a 4.23 ERA (18 ER/38.1 IP) and 38 strikeouts in 33 relief appearances this season. A second-round selection by the Red Sox in the 2009 June Draft, Wilson has appeared in 29 major league games, all since the start of 2013, going 1-1 with a 4.64 ERA (17 ER/33.0 IP) and 25 strikeouts.