The Red Sox have optioned reliever Ryan Brasier to Triple-A Worcester, according to a report from Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe. The move will open a roster spot for starter Michael Wacha, who will be activated off the 15-day injured list and start Friday against Seattle.
Brasier has been inconsistent this season and his last few outings have been brutal. For the season, he owns a 6.28 ERA and 1.465 WHIP while allowing five home runs in 14 ⅓ innings. He emerged as a top bullpen option in late April with a handful of strong outings in a row but has been abysmal in May so far. He took losses on May 11 and May 15 after blowing games to the Braves and Rangers, respectively, and has an 18.90 ERA (7 ER in 3.1 innings) in his last four outings. He allowed a run in the ninth inning of Thursday’s 12-6 win.
Brasier, 34, has had big-league success before, including during a dominant 2018 season and at the end of last year, when he came off the injured list and posted a 1.50 ERA with nine strikeouts in 12 innings to close the season. But his inconsistency and recent struggles made him a prime candidate to be lopped off the roster. Notably, the Sox chose to send Brasier to Worcester over other pitchers like Hirokazu Sawamura or Tyler Danish, who both have options.
Wacha has been on the IL since May 8 with left intercostal irritation. He will return Friday, which is the first day he is eligible. So far, the veteran righty is 3-0 with a 1.38 ERA in five starts on the year.
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