Red Sox to recall Heath Hembree, purchase contract of Corey Brown

According to multiple reports, the Red Sox will add a pair of players to the major league roster to join the team Tuesday for their series against the St. Louis Cardinals. The team will recall reliever Heath Hembree (pictured), acquired in the deal that sent Jake Peavy to San Francisco, and purchase the contract of outfielder Corey Brown. Both signings were confirmed by Joon Lee of OverTheMonster.com. Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal has confirmed that righty Steven Wright will be optioned to Pawtucket to open up one roster spot, and another move will need to be made before Tuesday's game. 

Hembree, 25, has appeared in two games for Pawtucket since the July 26 deal, striking out four in a scoreless 1 2/3 innings. Prior to the deal, he pitched 41 times for Fresno of the Pacific Coast League. There he had a 3.89 ERA in 39 1/3 frames, striking out 46 and walking 13. Hembree previously got a taste of the major leagues as a September call-up with the Giants in 2012. He appeared in nine games, allowing only four hits in 7 2/3 scoreless innings, striking out 12 and walking two.

Brown was signed to a minor league deal before the 2014 after spending the previous three seasons with the Washington Nationals organization. After getting a long look in Spring Training he has been with Pawtucket all year, ranking second among all Red Sox minor leaguers with 16 home runs. Brown brings versatility to the Red Sox outfield. While he has primarily appeared in center field for the PawSox, he has also seen 31 games in right field, and has experience in left field in previous seasons. Taken by the Oakland Athletics as a supplemental first rounder in the 2007 draft, Brown reached the majors with the Nationals in 2011. In 36 games from 2011 to 2013, he was 7 for 40 with two home runs.

Wright will rejoin the Pawtucket rotation, where he is 5-2 with a 2.80 ERA on the season. The Red Sox will need to make one additional move to fit both players on the 25-man roster. Left-handed reliever Craig Breslow is having his ankle examined, and may be placed on the disabled list. The team may also option Mookie Betts to Pawtucket in order to ensure he gets regular playing time, as the team's top prospect started only one game of the team's three games since his recall on Friday. While Brown will be added to the 40-man roster, no corresponding move will need to be made there, as Boston currently has two available slots.

Photo Credit: Heath Hembree from milb.com

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