Red Sox activate LHP Matt Thornton from Disabled List
Right-hander Brayan Villarreal Optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket
The Boston Red Sox today activated left-handed pitcher Matt Thornton from the 15-day disabled list. To make room for him on the 25-man roster, right-handed pitcher Brayan Villarreal was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket after yesterday's game against the Dodgers. Thornton will be active for tonight's game in Los Angeles at 8:05 p.m. ET.
Executive Vice President/General Manager Ben Cherington made the announcement.
Thornton, 36, has been on the disabled list since August 7 (retroactive to August 5) with a right oblique strain. Since being acquired by Boston on July 12, he has gone 0-1 with a 2.16 ERA (2 ER/8.1 IP) in 10 games. Overall this season, Thornton is 0-4 with a 3.47 ERA (14 ER/36.1 IP), 12 walks, and 27 strikeouts in 50 games between the Red Sox and Chicago White Sox.
Villarreal, 26, made one appearance for the Red Sox after being recalled on Monday, walking the only batter he faced. Acquired by Boston from Detroit as part of a three-team, seven-player deal on July 30, he returns to Pawtucket where he has thrown 2.1 scoreless innings over two outings. He also tossed two scoreless outings totaling 2.2 innings for Short-A Lowell on rehab after joining the Red Sox organization.