March 25, 2007 at 11:59 PM
Hansack to wait with Paw Sox
After a spring in which he drew quite a bit of attention, and the day after working three perfect innings against the Devil Rays, Devern Hansack was optioned to AAA Pawtucket, Sunday. The 29-year old Nicaraguan right-hander was supported by Peter Gammons as a dark horse closer candidate during the off season and his curious route to the brink of Boston's big league roster (out of baseball, Portland, Boston) was the subject of an ESPN feature in early spring. In the Sox 2006 season finale Hansack threw a rain shortened no-hitter against Baltimore (5 innings) ending a painful season on a high note. Hansack projects to be at the front of the line when pitching reinforcements are needed in Boston. Last season Hansack made two starts for the Red Sox earning a 2.70 ERA in 10 innings (6 hits, 2 ER, 1BB, 8K), and worked 8.2 innings over five appearances for a 2.05 ERA (6 hits, 2 ER, 2BB, 8K) this spring. In other roster moves, RHP Mike Burns (28) was reassigned to minor league camp. Burns was acquired from Cincinnati last Aug. 28 for RHP Tim Bausher, and in 7.2 innings with the Sox in 2006 he had a 4.70 ERA over seven appearances (10 hits, 4 ER, 1BB, 7K), and earned a 5.63 ERA this spring in eight innings over five games (9 hits, 5 ER, 1 BB, 2K).