BOSTON — Matt Barnes’ rough week with the Red Sox is over. The right-hander has been sent down.
Barnes was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket before Sunday’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park. The Red Sox recalled first baseman Travis Shaw to replace Barnes on the active roster.
Barnes suffered the loss Saturday after surrendering a home run to Blue Jays catcher Russell Martin in the 11th inning. It was his second loss of the week. The 24-year-old allowed five earned runs on seven hits over his last three appearances spanning three innings, raising his ERA to 4.24.
According to Farrell, Barnes, a converted starter, will continue to pitch out of the bullpen at Pawtucket. The manager said Sunday the former first-round pick has the potential to be a “great” late-inning reliever and that the Red Sox still have a lot of trust in his ability.
Shaw will give the Red Sox some additional positional depth for the time being with Mike Napoli out of Sunday’s starting lineup amid a slump and Mookie Betts sidelined with a sore back following a violent collision in Friday’s series opener. Napoli is expected to return to the lineup Monday and Betts, who took batting practice before Sunday’s game, might join the first baseman based on how he feels.
Shaw went 0-for-2 with a walk in his first major league stint earlier this season. The 25-year-old hit .256 with five homers, 26 RBIs and a .716 OPS in 56 games with Pawtucket this season.
Thumbnail photo via Tommy Gilligan/USA TODAY Sports Images
