The Boston Red Sox today selected right-handed pitcher Sean O'Sullivan to the active major league roster from Triple-A Pawtucket. To make room on the 40-man roster, third baseman Pablo Sandoval was transferred to the 60-day disabled list. To make room on the 25-man roster, left-handed pitcher Henry Owens was optioned to Pawtucket.
O'Sullivan, who will wear number 62, will be available for tonight's series-opening game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium beginning at 7:05 p.m.
President of Baseball Operations David Dombrowski made the announcement.
O'Sullivan joins the major league roster for the first time since signing with the Red Sox as a minor league free agent on December 5, 2015. In five starts at Pawtucket this season, the 28-year-old has gone 2-2 with a 3.00 ERA (11 ER/33.0 IP) and 32 strikeouts against five walks. Originally selected by the Angels in the third round of the 2005 June Draft, the right-hander is 11-23 with a 5.95 ERA (200 ER/302.1 IP) in 66 games (52 starts) over parts of six major league seasons with the Angels (2009-10), Royals (2010-11), Padres (2013), and Phillies (2014-15).
Owens, 23, made three major league starts after being recalled by the Red Sox on April 24. Boston won each of his starts, but he did not factor into any decisions while posting a 5.11 ERA (7 ER/12.1 IP) with nine strikeouts and 13 walks. The left-hander began the season in Pawtucket, where he went 1-1 with a 1.00 ERA (2 ER/18.0 IP) and 23 strikeouts in three starts. Selected by the Red Sox in the first round of the 2011 June Draft, Owens is 4-4 with a 4.66 ERA (39 ER/75.1 IP) and 59 strikeouts in 14 starts over two major league stints, and 44-25 with a 3.22 ERA (192 ER/536.0 IP) and 595 strikeouts in 99 minor league games (98 starts).
Sandoval, 29, was placed on the 15-day disabled list on April 13 (retroactive to April 11) with a left shoulder strain. The third baseman underwent successful surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder on Tuesday. Dr. James Andrews performed the surgery in Pensacola, FL. Sandoval is expected to miss the remainder of the 2016 season, and it is anticipated that he will make a full recovery in advance of the 2017 season.