Red Sox make series of roster moves, including recalling Brad Keller from Triple-A Worcester
The Red Sox made four roster moves ahead of the series opener with the Astros at Fenway Park on Friday night.
Starter Brayan Bello was placed on paternity leave but is expected to rejoin the team before his scheduled start Monday against the Rangers.
Boston recalled left-hander reliever Cam Booser from Triple-A Worcester to take Bello’s roster spot. Booser was optioned back to the minors ahead of the three-game series with the Royals.
The left-hander has had a solid rookie campaign, posting a 2.77 ERA while striking out 38 batters in 39 innings in Boston. Since he rejoined the Red Sox on July 5 after a stint with the WooSox, Booser has owned a 1.64 ERA in 11 innings over 12 appearances.
The club also added right-handed pitcher Brad Keller from Worcester; he will take Cooper Criswell’s spot. The tall righty was placed on the COVID list.
The Red Sox initially planned to have Criswell start on Saturday against Houston. The team has not yet announced who will replace Criswell as the starter for Saturday.
In 18 games this season for Boston, Criswell is 4-4 with a 4.02 ERA with 56 strikeouts to 17 walks in 71 2/3 frames (13 starts).
Keller is a potential candidate to start if the Red Sox opt not to use him in long relief on Friday night. The righty has made five starts for the WooSox, last pitching on Aug. 3. He was scheduled to start for Worcester on Friday night, but the game was rained out in Syracuse.
Red Sox skipper said newly acquired Quinn Priester will start for the WooSox on Saturday. It will be his second appearance for Worcester after struggling in his first team start. Priester went 2 1/3 innings, giving up eight earned runs off six hits with four walks and four strikeouts. Cora said Priester is not an option to start for the Red Sox on Saturday.
