BOSTON, MA – The Boston Red Sox today selected left-handed pitcher Billy Traber to the active Major League roster from Triple-A Pawtucket. Outfielder Josh Reddick was optioned to Pawtucket. Traber, who will wear number 40, will be available for tonight’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays.
To make room on the 40-man roster, infielder Gil Velazquez was designated for assignment.
The announcements were made by Executive Vice President/General Manager Theo Epstein.
Traber, 29, is 7-5 with a 3.32 ERA in 32 games (four starts) for Pawtucket this season, tied for the club lead in wins. Signed by Boston as a minor league free agent in November 20, 2008, the left-hander owns a 5-3 record with a 2.15 ERA in 28 games out of the bullpen and has not allowed a run in his last 12 relief appearances over 17.1 innings. Four of his last five outings have been starts, most recently allowing two runs in 6.0 innings for the win at Buffalo on Friday. Traber is 12-14 with a 5.54 ERA in 95 career Major League games, including 28 starts, for the Indians (2003), Nationals (2006-07) and Yankees (2008).
Reddick, 22, was selected from Double-A Portland on Friday and went 5-for-16 with three doubles, a home run, two RBI and two runs scored in four games with Boston in his first Major League stint. He began the season batting .277 (71-for-256) with 13 home runs and 29 RBI in 63 games for Portland before making his Major League debut. Boston’s 17th round selection in the 2006 First-Year Player Draft, the left-handed hitter will be making his first career appearance at the Triple-A level.
Velazquez, 29, was batting .190 (45-for-237) with two home runs and 13 RBI in 73 games at Pawtucket this season. Earlier this year, he appeared in six Major League games with Boston, going 0-for-2 at the plate. He is 1-for-10 with one RBI in nine career Major League games from 2008-09, all with the Red Sox.
Additionally, second baseman Travis Denker was outrighted to Pawtucket today after being designated for assignment on Friday. He hit .248 (74-for-298) with four home runs and 37 RBI in 88 games with the PawSox this season.
