Red Sox Roster Moves: Brandon Workman Optioned, Three Pitchers Put On DL

The Boston Red Sox have made more roster moves.

Right-handed reliever Brandon Workman was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket on Monday, the club announced. Additionally, pitcher Justin Haley was reassigned to minor league camp, and starters Eduardo Rodriguez, Steven Wright and Drew Pomeranz all were placed on the 10-day disabled list.

The fact that Workman won’t be in the bullpen to begin the season is surprising, if for no other reason than he was one of the team’s more reliable relievers last year. Workman, who spent the 2015 and 2016 seasons recovering from Tommy John surgery, posted a 3.18 ERA in 33 appearances out of the pen in 2017. Furthermore, the 29-year-old displayed the type of heavy fastball and biting curveball that made him so effective prior to the injury.

Still, Workman amassed a 5.59 ERA and 1.76 WHIP in nine spring training appearances, so he might just need some extra time to find his command.

Haley being sent down means both right-handers Hector Velazquez and Marcus Walden will make the Opening Day roster — at least until Pomeranz and/or Rodriguez return from the DL. Red Sox manager Alex Cora announced Monday that Velazquez will start the season in the rotation. Left-hander Brian Johnson recently was awarded a spot in the rotation after a stellar outing against the New York Yankees.

The Sox currently have 30 players remaining in big league camp. They must trim the roster to 25 by Thursday when they play the Tampa Bay Rays in the regular-season season opener.