While we don’t know who will be the Boston Red Sox’s fifth starter when Eduardo Rodriguez starts his season on the disabled list, we at least know who it won’t be.
The Red Sox announced some roster moves Thursday, and starting pitchers Henry Owens and Brian Johnson were optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket, along with reliever Heath Hembree. Owens and Johnson seemed to have a shot at starting in that No. 5 role after Rodriguez’s knee injury but so far had combined for 14 earned runs over 18 innings. Owens also gave up nine walks over his own 13 1/3 innings.
Outfielder Ryan LaMarre, right-handed pitcher Roman Mendez and first baseman Sam Travis also were reassigned to minor-league camp. Travis impressed in spring training, going 15-for-28 with two home runs and a team-high 13 RBIs, but he realistically wasn’t going to make the 25-man roster. Travis hasn’t played above Double-A and even then only played 65 games in Portland last season.
There are now 39 players on the Red Sox’s big-league roster.
Thumbnail photo via Evan Habeeb/USA TODAY Sports Images
