Red Sox place outfielder Shane Victorino on 15-day disabled list

BOSTON, MA - The Boston Red Sox today placed outfielder Shane Victorino on the 15-day disabled list (retroactive to April 23) with a right hamstring strain. To fill his spot on the 25-man roster, right-handed pitcher Matt Barnes was recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket.

Executive Vice President/General Manager Ben Cherington made the announcement.

Victorino, 34, has played 12 games for the Red Sox this season, all in right field, going 5-for-35 (.143) with three runs scored, a double, two RBI, six walks, two stolen bases, and a .302 on-base percentage. He was removed from Wednesday night's game in Tampa Bay with right hamstring tightness in the fifth inning. In 2014, he was limited to 30 major league games due to three stints on the disabled list with two different injuries, and underwent season-ending back surgery on August 5. In 1,240 career major league games between the San Diego Padres (2003), Philadelphia Phillies (2005-2012), Los Angeles Dodgers (2012), and Red Sox (2013-15), the two-time All-Star has hit .276 with 228 doubles, 68 triples, 107 home runs, 484 RBI, and 226 stolen bases.

This is the first major league stint of the season for Barnes, 24, who will wear No. 68. He began the year with Pawtucket and in two starts posted a 5.62 ERA (5 ER/8.0 IP) with six strikeouts and no record. The right-hander last pitched on Sunday against Minnesota's Rochester affiliate and gave up two runs in 5.0 innings as the PawSox won, 4-3. A native of Connecticut, Barnes made his major league debut as a September call-up with Boston last season, allowing four runs with eight strikeouts in 9.0 innings over five relief appearances. Signed by the Red Sox as a first-round selection in the 2011 June Draft, Barnes is 21-24 with a 3.69 ERA (151 ER/368.2 IP) and 384 strikeouts in 75 career minor league outings (74 starts) from 2012-15.