Red Sox Option Struggling Young Hurler, Call Up Veteran For Second Stint

The Boston Red Sox's starting rotation has been putrid all season long and continues to put stress on the bullpen.

With that in mind, the Red Sox have had to shuffle through arms just to survive, and that trend has not let up.

"The Red Sox today recalled right-handed pitcher Kyle Barraclough from Triple-A Worcester," MLB.com's Ian Browne tweeted Monday. "To make room on the active roster, the club optioned left-handed pitcher Chris Murphy to Worcester following yesterday’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers."

With Brennan Bernardino on the COVID-19-related injured list, Boston does not have a left-hander in the bullpen.

After a strong start to his Major League Baseball career, Murphy has had a dramatic fall from grace. The 25-year-old posted a 1.59 ERA through his first nine games, tallying 28 1/3 innings in that span. Unfortunately, he's posted a 10.67 ERA since then, across 14 1/3 innings. 

Murphy's most important attribute right now is the ability to eat innings as the rotation cannot seem to do so. He'll likely be up and down all season regardless of production for that reason.

Barraclough allowed one earned run in 3 1/3 innings across two appearances in his first stint with Boston earlier in the month. He's been a reliable weapon for the WooSox, since joining the organization in June.

The 33-year-old is 8-0 with a 2.43 ERA, 41-to-23 strikeout-to-walk ratio, .175 batting average against and 0.99 WHIP in 55 2/3 innings this season. Like Murphy, Barraclough will provide the ability to go multiple innings out of the bullpen if needed.

The Red Sox also called up their No. 3 prospect, outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela as well as middle infielder David Hamilton. Boston placed Wilyer Abreu on paternity leave and Pablo Reyes (elbow) on the injured list.