Red Sox Call Up Heath Hembree; Option Matt Barnes

The Red Sox have called up right-handed relief pitcher Heath Hembree. Hembree was acquired along with Edwin Escobar from the San Francisco Giants July 26th last year for starting pitcher Jake Peavy.

Hembree made his Red Sox debut last season on August 9th, pitching four innings of relief against the Angels. The 26 year-old has appeared in 15 games in the majors, striking out 18 along the way. This year in Pawtucket, Hembree has pitched eight innings with two saved without allowing an earned run.

Hembree’s main pitch is his fastball that touches about 92 MPH. His artillery also features a decent slider with an occasional changeup.

Matt Barnes, the UConn alum, was called up yesterday for relief help as right fielder Shane Victorino was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right hamstring. The tall left hander pitched two innings for the Red Sox giving up no runs while striking out one and walking no one.

Barnes, a starter for Pawtucket, has six strikeouts to three walks in the minors so far this year. Barnes has a fastball that can touch 95 MPH along with a hard slider, a curve ball and a changeup. Barnes is sitting behind Tommy Layne on the bullpen depth chart should the Red Sox need another lefty, but should see more time this year.