Prior to tonight's game against the Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox left-handed pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez was returned from his injury rehab assignment with Triple-A Pawtucket and activated from the 15-day disabled list. To make room on the 25-man roster, right-handed pitcher Heath Hembree was optioned to Pawtucket following yesterday's game against the Orioles. Rodriguez will start tonight's game against Baltimore at Camden Yards beginning at 7:05 p.m.
 
President of Baseball Operations David Dombrowski made the announcement.
 
Rodriguez, who was placed on the disabled list with right patella subluxation on April 3, made five starts over two rehab assignments with the PawSox, going 0-3 with a 3.54 ERA (11 ER/28.0 IP). The 23-year-old most recently threw 102 pitches last Tuesday against Lehigh Valley, allowing only one run on four hits while striking out seven batters and walking none in 7.0 innings. Acquired by the Red Sox from the Orioles on July 31, 2014, Rodriguez made his major league debut last season and went 10-6 with a 3.85 ERA (52 ER/121.2 IP) in 21 starts, earning Red Sox Pitcher of the Year and Rookie of the Year honors from the Boston Baseball Writers' Association of America. In 101 minor league appearances (100 starts) between the Orioles and Red Sox organizations, the Venezuela native is 29-33 with a 3.25 ERA (203 ER/562.2 IP) and five complete games.
 
Hembree, 27, is 2-0 with a 2.14 ERA (5 ER/21.0 IP) and 18 strikeouts in 12 relief outings with the Red Sox this season. The right-hander was recalled by Boston on April 19 for his first major league stint of 2016 and remained with the club through yesterday's game, with the Red Sox going 9-3 in his appearances. Acquired by Boston from the San Francisco Giants on July 26, 2014, Hembree is 4-0 with a 2.81 ERA (20 ER/64.0 IP) in 49 games-all in relief-between the Giants and Red Sox. The South Carolina native has also made 246 minor league appearances (one start) between the two organizations, going 4-15 with a 3.07 ERA (84 ER/246.1 IP). He has not allowed a run in four outings with Pawtucket this season, surrendering only two hits and recording nine strikeouts without issuing a walk in 5.0 innings pitched.