Red Sox promote right-handed pitcher Chase Shugart and former Rule 5 catcher from Triple-A Worcester
Boston announced other moves including James Paxton to the IL and Jamie Westbrook DFA
The Red Sox needed reinforcements heading into Monday night’s series against the Rangers at Fenway Park. With the bullpen running on fumes and Jarren Duran suspended for the next two games, Boston made a flurry of roster moves.
Boston activated starter Brayan Bello from the paternity list, and he will start the first game of the series. Left-handed reliever Bailey Horn was recalled from Triple-A Worcester, and right-handed pitcher Chase Shugart and catcher/infielder Mickey Gasper were also promoted.
Duran’s suspension cleared a roster spot because the team suspended him, not Major League Baseball. Lefty Brennan Bernardino was officially optioned, along with Brad Keller. The club also placed starter James Paxton on the injured list with a right calf strain.
Paxton is expected to be at the ballpark before the first pitch, where he and the team will learn the results from his MRI.
Infielder Jamie Westbrook was designated for assignment, and if he clears waivers, he could potentially be outrighted back to the WooSox.
Shugart was promoted to the bigs for the first time in his career. The former 12th-round pick out of Texas in 2018 owns a 4.98 ERA in 59 2/3 innings for Worcester, pitching in different roles, including as a starter and bulk innings reliever.
Horn returns to the Red Sox and will join Cam Booser as the only two southpaws in the bullpen. This month, Horn owns a 1.93 ERA with one save and four strikeouts to one walk in 4 2/3 frames.
Gasper has been lighting the world on fire, splitting time between both Double-A Portland and Triple-A. The former minor league Rule 5 draft pick has posted .341/.458/1.017 with 95 hits, 25 doubles, 12 homers, 54 RBI, 55 walks, four stolen bases, and 64 runs in 84 games.
Bernardino heads back to the minors after struggling for the last few weeks. The lefty hurler allowed four runs across 1 1/3 innings during the Red Sox’ 10-2 loss to the Astros at Fenway Park. Bernardino owns a 3.83 ERA with a 1.43 WHIP, along with 40 strikeouts over 40 frames in 43 games this season.
Keller pitched for the Red Sox on Saturday in the loss to the Astros. The righty allowed three runs in four frames and took the loss. He is expected to rejoin the WooSox rotation and will remain stretched out in the event the parent club needs to recall him.
Paxton was injured after throwing just five pitches on Sunday afternoon, attempting to cover first base on a grounder against the Astros. The lefty ran off the mound, grabbed his right calf, and went down to one knee before trainers ran to him on the field.
"I felt like I got kicked in the calf. Then, I kind of turned around, took another step, and I felt it again," Paxton said after the Astros beat the Red Sox 10-2, completing a three-game sweep. "I was like, 'It's not good. It's my calf.' I felt it pop."
