Red Sox reliever begins rehab assignment with the WooSox
The Red Sox sent right-handed reliever Isaiah Campbell to Triple-A Worcester to begin a rehab assignment on Wednesday.
Campbell has been out since mid-April with a right shoulder impingement.
In seven appearances this season, Campbell has posted a 12.79 ERA and a 2.05 WHIP. The right-handed pitcher struggled over his last two outings against the Orioles before going on the injured list.
Campbell pitched an inning for Worcester on Wednesday night, striking out the side while walking one in a scoreless frame. He threw 20 pitches, primarily his slider (11 times), along with his four-seam fastball and his sweeper. His four-seam heater topped out at 96.4 mph while sitting around 94.7 mph during his quick appearance.
The Red Sox will want to see the righty pitch in back-to-back games and see how he feels following his next few outings before determining what’s next.
“It has been a while,” Red Sox skipper Alex Cora said to reporters. “He needs to pitch back-to-backs and all that stuff.”
Boston acquired Campbell from the Mariners in the offseason for infielder Luis Urías. The 26-year-old made the Opening Day roster, and he allowed just one earned run in his first five appearances of the season before his injury.
With the current construction of the Red Sox bullpen, Campbell could remain with the WooSox beyond his rehab outing. Boston is getting strong performances out of the bullpen this season from righties Zack Kelly and Justin Slaten, while southpaws Brennan Bernardino and Cam Booser have been equally consistent.
