The Red Sox added another arm to their already filled-to-the-brim pitching staff on Wednesday, claiming right-hander Gaby Hernandez off waivers from the Seattle Mariners. The Sox subsequently designated right-handed Robert Manuel for assignment.
The moves were announced by Boston general manager Theo Epstein.
The 23-year-old Hernandez spent all of 2009 with the Mariners' Triple-A affiliate in Tacoma, Wash., starting 26 games and posting a 10-9 record with a 5.23 ERA, 98 strikeouts and 48 walks in 146 1/3 innings. Hernandez pitched particularly well at the end of the season, winning his final five starts and earning Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week honors for Aug. 31-Sept. 8.
Hernandez was originally a third-round pick of the New York Mets in the 2004 draft and also spent time in the Marlins organization.
Manuel, 26, was claimed off waivers from the Mariners on Nov. 20, 2009. Signed originally by the Mets, Manuel made his major league debut last season with the Cincinnati Reds before joining the Mariners' system.
