Prior to tonight's game against the Chicago White Sox, Boston Red Sox right-handed pitcher Carson Smith was returned from his injury rehab assignment with Double-A Portland and activated from the 15-day disabled list. To make room on the 25-man roster, infielder Marco Hernandez was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket following Sunday night's game against the New York Yankees.
 
President of Baseball Operations David Dombrowski made the announcement.
 
Smith, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a right flexor muscle strain on April 3 (retroactive to March 25), made two rehab appearances with Portland, recording two strikeouts and retiring all five batters faced in 1.2 innings. The 26-year-old is in his first season with the Red Sox after being acquired in a trade with the Seattle Mariners on December 7, 2015. In 79 major league games from 2014-15, the right-hander went 3-5 with 13 saves, a 2.07 ERA (18 ER), and 102 strikeouts in only 78.1 innings pitched (11.7 SO/9.0 IP). Between the two seasons, Smith set Mariners reliever records for the most scoreless appearances (20) and most scoreless innings (19.1) to begin a major league career. Selected by Seattle in the eighth round of the 2011 June Draft, the Texas native has faced a total of 969 batters between his major and minor league career and allowed only six home runs in 233.1 innings and 211 appearances, all in relief (0.23 HR/9.0 IP).
 
Hernandez, 23, has appeared in two games over two stints with the Red Sox, the first of his major league career. The Dominican native made his big league debut on April 17 against the Toronto Blue Jays, starting at second base and going 1-for-2 with a walk, a stolen base, and a run scored. He also appeared in Saturday's game against the Yankees, entering as a defensive replacement at second base in the eighth inning. In 14 games with Pawtucket this season, the left-handed batter has hit .377 (20-for-53) with a .431 on-base percentage, four doubles, and one triple, reaching base via hit or walk in each of his appearances. Hernandez has made six starts at shortstop and five at second base, also starting one game at third base and one in left field. Over seven minor league seasons between the Chicago Cubs (2010-14) and Red Sox (2015-16) organizations, he has hit .282 (639-for-2,265) with 115 doubles, 30 triples, 26 home runs, and 261 RBI in 591 games.