BOSTON, MA – Prior to tonight’s game against the Minnesota Twins, the Boston Red Sox announced the following roster moves:

• Right-handed pitcher Hector Velázquez was returned from his injury rehabilitation assignment with short-season Single-A Lowell and reinstated from the 10-day injured list.
• Right-handed pitcher Ryan Brasier was reinstated from the bereavement/family medical emergency list.
• Right-handed pitchers Travis Lakins and Josh Smith were optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket. 

President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski made the announcement.

Velázquez, 30, was placed on the injured list on May 30 with a low back strain. His lone rehab appearance came Saturday for Lowell against Connecticut, as he allowed one hit and struck out two batters in a scoreless inning. The right-hander has made 18 appearances (seven starts) for Boston this season, posting a 5.97 ERA (23 ER/34.2 IP). Velázquez made his major league debut with Boston in 2017 after having his contract purchased from Campeche of the Mexican League. He is 11-6 with a 3.80 ERA (61 ER/144.1 IP) in 73 career major league appearances (18 starts).

Brasier, 31, has made 31 appearances for the Red Sox this season, posting a 3.77 ERA (12 ER/28.2 IP) and a 1.08 WHIP while holding opponents to a .217 batting average. Signed by Boston as a minor league free agent in March 2018, the right-hander has pitched in 65 of the Red Sox’ 144 regular season games (45.1%) since his debut with the team on July 9. Among American League relievers who have thrown at least 50.0 innings in that time, Brasier ranks 14th in ERA (2.60) and 12th in opponent batting average (.194).

Lakins, 24, made his major league debut this season and has appeared in seven games over three stints with the Red Sox, allowing six runs on 10 hits in 9.1 innings (5.79 ERA). He most recently pitched yesterday against the Orioles and surrendered a run in one-third of an inning. The right-hander has also pitched in 18 games for the PawSox, going 2-0 with two saves, a 3.32 ERA (7 ER/19.0 IP), and 18 strikeouts. Originally selected by Boston in the sixth round of the 2015 June Draft, Lakins has allowed zero runs over 5.1 innings in his last six outings with Pawtucket. 

Smith, 31, has appeared in eight games (two starts) with Boston this season, going 0-2 with one save and a 6.28 ERA (10 ER/14.1 IP) and four scoreless relief outings. He most recently pitched yesterday against the Orioles and allowed three runs (one earned) in 1.0 inning of relief. The right-hander has also made six starts for Pawtucket this season, going 2-2 with a 5.23 ERA (18 ER/31.0 IP). In 75 career big league appearances (11 starts) for Cincinnati (2015-16), Oakland (2017), and Boston (2019), Smith is 5-10 with one save and a 5.40 ERA (85 ER/141.2 IP).