Wright, Beato called up to give Boston bullpen depth

SEATTLE -- The Red Sox called up Steven Wright and Pedro Beato from Triple-A Pawtucket on Wednesday, seeking immediate help for a bullpen that has seen seven relievers surrender seven runs in the past two games against the Mariners.

"Given the number of guys we went to in the bullpen last night, we had to make some moves and get some fresh arms here, being that we've been dealing with one less reliever as it is," manager John Farrell said.

To create room, Boston has optioned pitchers Allen Webster and Alfredo Aceves to Pawtucket. Webster, the organization's No. 4 prospect, was shelled for seven runs in just 2 1/3 innings on Tuesday. Farrell admitted that performance, as well as the need for more bullpen depth, played a role in the decision to send the 23-year-old down.

"As much as we felt like Allen was making solid progress and solid strides over the last couple starts, the first inning has been a challenge for him," Farrell said. "To break it down further, the consistency of his fastball usefulness to both sides of the plate and executing that pitch to both sides of the plate is a fundamental area that's got to be improved upon."

In six big league starts, Webster has allowed 10 first-inning earned runs. Farrell acknowledged the righty's undeniable talent, saying, "You can't debate the stuff. It's there."

Aceves spent only three days with the Sox after getting called up on Sunday to replace the injured Andrew Miller. Tabbed as the team's long reliever, Aceves lasted only two-thirds of an inning on Tuesday before leaving with apparent pain in his side.

"By all accounts that we have, he is not injured," Farrell said. "I will say this, he felt some soreness in his left side before he came up. But he was available to pitch. … He did not complain of anything after the game."

Farrell said the team has not decided who would start on Sunday in Webster's place.