Prior to today's game against the Tampa Bay Rays, the Boston Red Sox activated left-handed pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez from the 10-day disabled list. To make room for Rodriguez on the 25-man roster, the club optioned right-handed pitcher Marcus Walden to Triple-A Pawtucket following yesterday's game against the Rays.
President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski made the announcement.
Rodriguez, 24, began the season on the disabled list recovering from right knee patellofemoral ligament reconstruction surgery performed on October 17, 2017. The left-hander made 24 starts and one relief appearance for Boston in 2017, going 6-7 with a 4.19 ERA (64 ER/137.1 IP) and a career-high 150 strikeouts. In three major league seasons, all with the Red Sox, the Venezuelan native has made 66 appearances (65 starts), going 19-20 with a 4.23 ERA (172 ER/366.0 IP).
Walden, 29, made his first career major league Opening Day roster after attending spring training with the Red Sox as a non-roster invitee. The right-hander appeared in three games, allowing two runs on four hits with three strikeouts against one walk in 5.0 innings pitched. Walden earned Pawtucket's Most Valuable Pitcher Award in 2017, his first season in the Red Sox organization. In 218 career minor league games (117 starts), he is 46-45 with a 3.84 ERA (336 ER/787.0 IP).