Red Sox Send Struggling Reliever Tyler Thornburg to IL
By Adam Weinrib
It's been clear for a while now that Boston's ill-fated Tyler Thornburg experiment likely needs to end.
Though the cost of his acquisition was high (Travis Shaw, now slugging for the Brewers), he's been either injured or ineffective during his two-year tenure for the Sox.
Now, following his latest pockmarked outing in Toronto, Boston is finally doing something about it: Thornburg will hit the IL with a hip issue.
Thornburg to the IL with a hip issue. Lakins called up.
— Chad Jennings (@chadjennings22) May 23, 2019
Travis Lakins returns from Pawtucket in his place; the righty has posted a 4.02 ERA in 14 outings at that level in 2019, allowing a solitary earned run in 2.2 innings with Boston, as well.
Thornburg was a likely roster casualty this week regardless; his DFA was pegged as a corresponding move for the readdition of Brock Holt to the team, a permanent solution to a two-year problem.
Brock Holt could return this week. Sox will cut a pitcher to make room for him by optioning Weber/Brewer/Velazquez or DFA Thornburg.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) May 23, 2019
Brian Johnson will be back in about 10 days (2 more rehab stints). Another pitcher cut then.
It's hard to imagine Thornburg surviving both.
For now, his clock has been extended, and Sox fans still don't have to watch him hurl. And in the case of Thornburg in 2019, that's a rare win.