Hembree called up as Red Sox option Barnes to Triple-A

BALTIMORE -- The Red Sox optioned right-hander Matt Barnes on Sunday, one day after he was called up from Triple-A Pawtucket, and they promoted another right-hander, Heath Hembree, from the PawSox.

Hembree made his debut in the sixth inning of Boston's 18-7 loss to the Orioles and allowed six runs on six hits in 1 1/3 innings, including a towering home run to Chris Davis.

Barnes joined the Red Sox after outfielder Shane Victorino was placed on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to April 23, with a right hamstring strain. Barnes threw two scoreless innings Saturday against Baltimore, and as a result, he would not have been available again for two or three days. Barnes had been in the rotation for Pawtucket, and Saturday was his regularly scheduled day to pitch.

"He'll go back in the rotation [at Pawtucket]," Red Sox manager John Farrell said. "Yesterday's outing kept him on line on his normal five-day work plan."

Hembree did not allow a run in six games (eight innings) with Pawtucket. He also had two saves and 10 strikeouts with just two walks.

"Hembree has been throwing the ball well and gives us a another multi-inning guy with some power out there," Farrell said.