ATLANTA — The Red Sox are expected to make multiple roster moves before taking on the Braves in the finale of a two-game series Wednesday night at Truist Park.
The first is on the pitching side, with starter Nick Pivetta being activated from the 10-day injured list to pitch for the first time since April 2. Pivetta has been on the IL since April 9 due to a flexor strain in his pitching elbow but will return from a six-week absence to start for Boston opposite old friend Chris Sale.
Indications are that Japanese rookie right-hander Naoyuki Uwasawa, who was exchanging goodbyes with coaches in the visitors clubhouse at Truist Park after Tuesday’s loss, will be optioned back to Triple-A Worcester to make room on the active roster for Pivetta. Uwasawa pitched just twice (four innings) since being called up from Triple-A Worcester on April 28, logging two innings on back-to-back days Thursday and Friday. The 30-year-old NPB veteran threw two perfect frames Thursday against the Giants but ran into trouble Friday, allowing two hits, two walks and a run against the Twins. The Sox were using him as a long reliever.
In something of a surprise, it also looks like the Red Sox may be making a move on the position player side of things, too. Utility man Romy Gonzalez, who has been sidelined since April 11 with a left wrist sprain, was in the clubhouse after the game and is a candidate to be activated before Wednesday’s game as a bench option. Gonzalez played three rehab games at Triple-A Worcester from Friday to Sunday but did not appear for the WooSox on Tuesday in Buffalo. It’s unlikely he’s joining the Red Sox for the final day of their road trip to not be activated.
The move to get Gonzalez onto the roster is newcomer Zack Short being designated for assignment, according to The Boston Globe’s Julian McWilliams. Short joined the Sox via trade on May 1 and is 0-for-7 with four strikeouts in two games (May 2 and May 5). He’s out of minor league options so the Red Sox couldn’t have just optioned him to Triple-A. Short’s designation means David Hamilton remains on the active roster despite starting just one of Boston’s last 10 games and is barely being used as a reserve. Hamilton can provide speed off the bench late in games.
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