OAKLAND -- The Red Sox shuffled their pitching staff once again Sunday, recalling right-handed reliever Brandon Workman from Triple-A Pawtucket and optioning Noe Ramirez to the PawSox. It marks the third roster move involving pitchers since the Red Sox arrived in Oakland on Thursday.
Workman, 28, returns to Boston for his second stint with the club this season. He made one relief appearance for the Red Sox on May 4, throwing three scoreless innings. In eight outings for the PawSox, Workman posted a 1.98 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 17 strikeouts in 13 2/3 innings of work.
"He's been throwing the ball well on his journey back from Tommy John," Red Sox manager John Farrell said. "He's putting together a solid year in his first consistent action since going through the surgery and rehab."
Workman, who missed the entire 2015 and 2016 seasons, underwent Tommy John surgery in June 2015.
Ramirez, also a right-handed reliever, tossed three innings for Boston's overworked bullpen in Saturday's 8-3 loss to the A's, giving up a pair of solo shots in the process.
The Red Sox feature an eight-man bullpen, but Farrell said the team could make another roster move before Tuesday's series opener against Texas. Farrell also announced that Thomas Pomeranz will start Thursday, meaning the team will skip Hector Velazquez's next turn in the rotation after he made his MLB debut against the A's in the series opener.
Worth noting
• Farrell said rehabbing outfielder Brock Holt is still feeling symptoms of vertigo as he plays for Pawtucket. Holt hit a home run in Sunday's contest, which marked his third straight start for the PawSox, along with third baseman Pablo Sandoval (right knee sprain).