Before opening up a three-game series against the Yankees with a day-night doubleheader at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, the Red Sox made a series of roster moves.
First off, left-handed reliever Josh Taylor was reinstated from the COVID-19 related injured list. In order to make room for Taylor on Boston’s 40-man roster, right-hander Matt Andriese was designated for assignment.
Secondly, right-hander Tanner Houck was appointed as the 27th man for Tuesday’s twin bill in the Bronx, the club announced earlier Tuesday morning.
Taylor winds up missing just one day of action after initially being placed on the COVID-related injured list before Sunday’s series finale against the Orioles.
Though it does not appear as though the 28-year-old ever tested positive for the virus this time around since he tested negative on multiple occasions, he was forced to take a car service to get from Boston to New York as opposed to flying with the team.
Taylor, who did test positive for the virus last summer, opened the truncated 2020 campaign on the COVID-19 related injured list.
Through 48 appearances out of the Boston bullpen this year, the southpaw has proven to be one of the Sox’ most effective relievers, posting a 3.23 ERA and 2.92 FIP with 51 strikeouts and 20 walks over 39 total innings of work.
Per Red Sox manager Alex Cora, Taylor should be available for both games of Tuesday’s twin bill.
Because Boston placed Taylor on the COVID-related injured list on Sunday, they were able to temporarily create a spot on their 40-man roster, which in turn allowed them to claim infielder Travis Shaw off waivers from the Brewers without making a corresponding move.
With Taylor’s return, however, the Sox needed to make room on their 40-man roster for the lefty, and they did so by designating fellow reliever in Andriese for assignment.
Originally signed to a one-year, $2.1 million deal that included a team option for 2022 back in December, Andriese got his Red Sox career off to a solid start, as he put up a 1.42 ERA and .577 OPS against over nine relief appearances spanning 12 2/3 innings pitched in the month of April.
Once the calendar flipped to May, however, things seemed to take a turn for the worse for the veteran right-hander, as he struggled to the tune of an 8.39 ERA and 1.090 OPS against across 17 outings (24 2/3 innings) before landing on the 10-day injured list with right hamstring tendinitis on July 10.
Andriese, who turns 32 later this month, was able to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester on August 7 and was even scheduled to work two innings for the WooSox on Tuesday, but that is no longer the case.
Instead, the Red Sox will have seven days to either trade, release, or sneak Andriese through waivers, though he could refuse an assignment to Worcester and elect to become a free agent instead.
Finally, we arrive at Houck, who was recalled from Worcester to serve as the 27th man for Tuesday’s doubleheader.
The 25-year-old will get the start for Boston in Game 1 on Tuesday, as he will be matched up against Yankees left-hander Jordan Montgomery. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. eastern time on NESN and MLB Network.
(Picture of Matt Andriese: Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
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