BOSTON — The Boston Red Sox recalled pitcher Joe Kelly from Pawtucket Sunday morning. To make room on the roster for him the Sox have optioned Heath Hembree back to minor league club.
Kelly is 2-0 with an 8.46 ERA and 27 strikeouts in six appearances (all starts) with Boston this season. He pitched only as a reliever in his latest stint with the PawSox, allowing zero runs and five hits in 5.0 innings while recording nine strikeouts against one walk over four appearances. The right-hander has appeared in the majors only as a starter since being acquired by Boston from the St. Louis Cardinals on July 31, 2014, going 16-8 with a 5.00 ERA in 41 outings. He has posted a 3.25 ERA in 30 major league relief appearances, most recently pitching out of the bullpen in 2013.
Hembree has made 27 appearances over two stints with Boston this season, going 4-0 with a 2.41 ERA and 36 strikeouts to 12 walks.