Manny Delcarmen to Be Activated on Saturday, Jeremy Hermida Nearing His Return

by NESN Staff on Fri, Jul 16, 2010 at 6:13PM

Amalie Benjamin joined Tom Caron on Friday Night Fenway to discuss the status of reliever Manny Delcarmen and outfielder Jeremy Hermida, who both played for Double-A Portland on Thursday as part of their rehab stints.

Hermida is expected to get another two days in Portland before moving to Triple-A Pawtucket, while Delcarmen will be activated Saturday.

“They’re starting to get those guys back, and that’s step one, and the next step may be Buchholz,” Benjamin said. “This is a good sign for this team.”

The Red Sox also optioned pitcher Robert Manuel to Triple-A Pawtucket, despite his 2 2/3 innings of scoreless relief against the Rangers on Thursday.

The Sox need a fresh arm in the bullpen for Friday’s game and Fernando Cabrera gets the call up to take Manuel’s place.

The 28-year-old Cabrera, who is making his first trip up to the majors this season, gave up five runs on seven hits in 5 1/3 innings of work for the Red Sox last season. In his career, he is 8-7 with a 5.12 ERA in 131 games.

To hear what Amalie Benjamin had to say about Delcarmen and Hermida, as well as the decision to bring up Cabrera, click the video below.