Red Sox recall right-handed pitcher from Triple-A Worcester and designate Joey Rodriguez for assignment
The Red Sox are making more roster moves. Boston will recall Japanese right-hander Naoyuki Uwasawa from Triple-A Worcester and will designate left-handed reliever Joely Rodriguez for assignment. The news was first reported by Alex Speier of the Boston Globe.
Uwasawa has made three starts for the WooSox, going 2-1 with a 4.80 ERA and giving up eight earned runs in 15 innings with 17 strikeouts.
He pitched last Sunday at Polar Park and allowed one run in five innings with seven strikeouts and one walk in his last start. Uwasawa looks to be a candidate to start in the rotation while Boston awaits the return of Nick Pivetta, Garrett Whitlock, and Brayan Bello from the injured list.
Pivetta threw live batting practice on Saturday at Fenway Park and is expected to make a rehab start on Thursday for either the WooSox or Sea Dogs.
Rodriguez initially made the Red Sox 26-man roster as a non-roster invitee, following an injury-riddled 2023 campaign. The southpaw struggled, allowing eight earned runs (6.55 ERA) over 11 innings (11 appearances). He has been hit hard, surrendering 15 hits and only two walks with 11 strikeouts.
During Rodriguez’s last appearance, he was tagged for three earned runs in an inning of work on Friday night against the Cubs.
Alex Cora was critical of Rodriguez’s performance on Saturday following his rough outing the night before.
“I think his stuff was a little bit better early on (this season). His sinker was good. But yesterday, he’ll admit it, it wasn’t a good one,” Cora said. “We’ve gotta throw strikes. And he has the ability to get righties out with that changeup. But if he falls behind, then where do we go? We have to be on top of the hitters. We have to be in advantage counts. We have to. And we haven’t been able to do that.”
