Red Sox reinstate RHP Uehara, recall C Vazquez, RHPs Hembree and Ramirez

Prior to today's game against the San Diego Padres, the Boston Red Sox reinstated RHP Koji Uehara from the 15-day disabled list, and recalled C Christian Vazquez and RHPs Heath Hembree and Noe Ramirez from Triple-A Pawtucket.

President of Baseball Operations David Dombrowski made the announcement. 

Uehara, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list on July 20 with a right pectoral strain, is 2-3 with six saves and a 4.50 ERA (18 ER/36.0 IP) in 39 appearances this season. The 41-year-old right-hander is averaging 12.75 strikeouts per 9.0 innings (51 SO), the highest mark of his career. He has converted each of his last five save opportunities and has not surrendered a run in any of his last four appearances. Signed by the Red Sox as a free agent on December 18, 2012, the Japanese native is 19-22 with 92 saves, 510 strikeouts, and a 2.59 ERA (123 ER/426.2 IP) in 376 career major league outings (12 starts) with the Baltimore Orioles (2009-11), Texas Rangers (2011-12), and Red Sox (2013-16).

Vazquez, 26, began the 2016 season on the disabled list recovering from Tommy John surgery performed on April 2, 2015, having missed the entire 2015 campaign following the procedure. In 51 games with the Red Sox this season, he has thrown out 36 percent of attempted base stealers (8 of 22) and hit .226 (37-for-164) with eight doubles, one triple, one home run, 12 RBI, and 21 runs scored. Signed by the Red Sox as a ninth-round selection in the 2008 June Draft, the Puerto Rican native has also played in 42 games with the PawSox this season, batting .270 (41-for-152) with nine doubles and two home runs and going 10-for-27 (.370) in his last seven games.

Hembree, 27, is 4-1 with a 2.40 ERA (11 ER/41.1 IP) and 36 strikeouts in 30 appearances over three major league stints this season. He has held right-handed hitters to a .204 batting average (22-for-108) and has posted a 0.77 ERA (1 ER/11.2 IP) in seven outings against AL East opponents. With the PawSox, Hembree posted a 0.68 ERA (1 ER/13.1 IP) with 22 strikeouts in 13 appearances, converting all eight of his save opportunities. Acquired from San Francisco on July 26, 2014, the right-hander is 6-1 with a 2.77 ERA (26 ER/84.1 IP) and 69 strikeouts in 64 career major league appearances between the Giants (2013) and the Red Sox (2014-16).

Ramirez, 26, has made 11 relief appearances over seven stints with Boston this season, posting no record and a 6.55 ERA (8 ER/11.0 IP) with 11 strikeouts. The right-hander has also made 30 appearances with Pawtucket this year, earning seven saves and going 2-3 with a 1.85 ERA (9 ER/43.2 IP) and 54 strikeouts compared to 11 walks. In 15 minor league outings since the start of July, he has posted a 1.23 ERA (3 ER/22.0 IP) with 37 strikeouts against only three walks. A fourth-round selection by the Red Sox in the 2011 June Draft, Ramirez has a career 0-1 record with a 5.25 ERA (14 ER/24.0 IP) and 24 strikeouts in 28 major league relief outings, all with the Red Sox.

Red Sox activate left-handed pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez from 15-day disabled list

Red Sox Press Release.

Prior to tonight's game against the Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox left-handed pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez was returned from his injury rehab assignment with Triple-A Pawtucket and activated from the 15-day disabled list. To make room on the 25-man roster, right-handed pitcher Heath Hembree was optioned to Pawtucket following yesterday's game against the Orioles. Rodriguez will start tonight's game against Baltimore at Camden Yards beginning at 7:05 p.m.
 
President of Baseball Operations David Dombrowski made the announcement.
 
Rodriguez, who was placed on the disabled list with right patella subluxation on April 3, made five starts over two rehab assignments with the PawSox, going 0-3 with a 3.54 ERA (11 ER/28.0 IP). The 23-year-old most recently threw 102 pitches last Tuesday against Lehigh Valley, allowing only one run on four hits while striking out seven batters and walking none in 7.0 innings. Acquired by the Red Sox from the Orioles on July 31, 2014, Rodriguez made his major league debut last season and went 10-6 with a 3.85 ERA (52 ER/121.2 IP) in 21 starts, earning Red Sox Pitcher of the Year and Rookie of the Year honors from the Boston Baseball Writers' Association of America. In 101 minor league appearances (100 starts) between the Orioles and Red Sox organizations, the Venezuela native is 29-33 with a 3.25 ERA (203 ER/562.2 IP) and five complete games.
 
Hembree, 27, is 2-0 with a 2.14 ERA (5 ER/21.0 IP) and 18 strikeouts in 12 relief outings with the Red Sox this season. The right-hander was recalled by Boston on April 19 for his first major league stint of 2016 and remained with the club through yesterday's game, with the Red Sox going 9-3 in his appearances. Acquired by Boston from the San Francisco Giants on July 26, 2014, Hembree is 4-0 with a 2.81 ERA (20 ER/64.0 IP) in 49 games-all in relief-between the Giants and Red Sox. The South Carolina native has also made 246 minor league appearances (one start) between the two organizations, going 4-15 with a 3.07 ERA (84 ER/246.1 IP). He has not allowed a run in four outings with Pawtucket this season, surrendering only two hits and recording nine strikeouts without issuing a walk in 5.0 innings pitched.