April 27, 2012 at 5:51 PM
Rich Hill activated; Justin Thomas optioned to Triple-A
Left-handed reliever Rich Hill will be activated tonight, according to WEEI.com's Rob Bradford. The Providence Journal's Brian MacPherson confirms that Hill has a spot in the locker room. In the corresponding roster move, fellow lefty Justin Thomas has been optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket.
Hill's conversion to the bullpen had been going extremely well, with 15 consecutive scoreless appearances between 2010 and 2011, until he tore the UCL in his elbow on June 1, necessitating Tommy John surgery. The 32-year-old Milton, Mass. native has made 8 rehab appearances this April beween Greenville, Salem and Pawtucket, pitching 9.0 innings, allowing 2 runs on 5 hits, while walking 2 and striking out 18.
Thomas, 28, made the major league club out of spring training in his first season in the Red Sox organization. He appeared in 7 games, allowing 4 runs on 10 hits in 4.2 innings, with 2 walks and 4 strikeouts.