April 24, 2013 at 9:32 PM
Aceves optioned to Pawtucket, Lavarnway to be recalled
The Red Sox announced after Wednesday's game that right-handed pitcher Alfredo Aceves has been optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket. Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports that catcher Ryan Lavarnway will be recalled before tomorrow's series opener with the Houston Astros.
Lavarnway, 25, has spent time with the major league club in each of the last two seasons. After a promising 2011 debut in which he hit .231/.302/.436 in 39 at-bats, including two home runs in a key game during the playoff chase, he struggled both in Triple-A and at the major league level last season. Lavarnway is off to a promising start to the 2013 season, with a .310/.423/.452 line in 11 games in Pawtucket.
As one of the few members of the pitching staff with options and with his recent uneven performance, Aceves became a candidate for demotion. Since an excellent 2011 season in his first with the Red Sox, Aceves has a 5.93 ERA, including an 8.66 mark in five 2012 appearances. Alex Speier of WEEI.com is reporting that Aceves will be put into the Pawtucket starting rotation.