Red Sox purchase contract of pitcher Noe Ramirez

The Red Sox made several moves before Friday night's game with the Houston Astros. The team purchased the contract of right-handed pitcher Noe Ramirez from Triple-A Pawtucket, and activated outfielder Shane Victorino from the 15-day disabled list. Catcher and recently-graduated top prospect Blake Swihart was placed on the disabled list with a foot sprain, and outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. was optioned to the PawSox. To make room on the 40-man roster for Ramirez, pitcher Zeke Spruill was designated for assignment. 

Ramirez was originally drafted in the fourth round of the 2011 draft out of Cal State-Fullerton. After spending the 2012 season with Greenville as a starter, he transitioned to the bullpen on a full-time basis the following year, where he has been a standout performer. He was named a SoxProspects.com All-Star following both the 2013 and 2014 seasons, and garnered recognition as an Eastern League All-Star in 2014.

The 25-year-old righty was assigned to Pawtucket to begin 2015, where he has a 2.42 ERA and 23 strikeouts in 26 innings pitched. He has been particularly stingy with the long ball throughout his tenure in the organization. The home run he allowed on June 17 was the first since back on August 6, 2013, a stretch of 59 appearances. Since moving to the bullpen, he has given up only five homers in 168 2/3 innings. 

When Ramirez appears in a game, he will become the seventh player to make his major league debut with the Red Sox in 2015, joining fellow 2011 draftees Swihart and Travis Shaw.

Spruill had been acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks in December in a deal for reliever Myles Smith. The 25-year-old has a 5.40 ERA in 24 appearances for Pawtucket.

Photo Credit: Noe Ramirez by Kelly O'Connor

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