Brayan Villarreal clears waivers, outrighted to Triple-A

Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Right-hander Brayan Villarreal has cleared waivers and the Boston Red Sox have outrighted him to Triple-A, according to a release by the team. Villarreal had been designated for assignment last week in order to make room on the 40-man roster for the newly signed Grady Sizemore.

Villarreal joined the Red Sox during last July’s three team trade that brought Jake Peavy to town.

Over parts of the past three seasons Villarreal has thrown 75.0 IP in the Major Leagues (including the lone batter he faced, a walk, in Boston late last summer). He’s pitched to a 4.56 ERA and 1.520 WHIP, but has a 10.3 K/9 rate to go along with an alarming 5.6 BB/9. He’ll need to harness his control if he’s going to develop into a reliably consistent option for any team. The hard throwing 26 year old has seen more success in the minor leagues since signing with the Detroit Tigers in 2005 as an amateur free agent.

Villarreal did receive an invitation to Spring Training, according to the release, but he’ll have a big wall to climb if he’s going to factor into the team’s plans coming out of camp. Villarreal’s best course of action may be to head to Pawtucket with the hopes of being a dominant force out of what should be a talented bullpen.