Keith Couch is making the jump to Triple-A Pawtucket just in time for the playoffs.
Couch, who had been at Double-A Portland, was promoted Wednesday as the Sea Dogs made room on their roster for outfielder Rusney Castillo, who recently signed a seven-year, $72.5 million contract with the Boston Red Sox. Couch is scheduled to start Game 4 of the PawSox’s playoff series against the Syracuse Chiefs.
Couch is 8-2 with a 2.96 ERA in 18 appearances (17 starts) with Portland this season. The 24-year-old right-hander is expected to play in the Arizona Fall League this year. He’ll be eligible for the upcoming Rule 5 draft if he isn’t added to the Red Sox’s 40-man roster by Nov. 20.
Edwin Escobar, Matt Barnes and Henry Owens are scheduled for the first three games of Pawtucket’s playoff series, which begins Wednesday. Ryan Verdugo is in line to pitch Game 5.
Castillo is batting leadoff for Portland on Wednesday as the Sea Dogs begin their playoff series against the Binghamton Mets.
Castillo is expected to make his way to Boston at some point in September. He played two games with the Gulf Coast League Red Sox over the weekend in his first action since defecting from Cuba over a year ago.
Photo via Facebook/Keith Couch
