Richardson called up, makes Major League debut

After a very good season split between Portland and Pawtucket, Dustin Richardson today received his reward. According to Kevin McNamara of the Providence Journal, Richardson has been called up to Boston to join several former Pawtucket teammates in an already crowded bullpen.

After a tough 2008 campaign that saw him put up a 6.45 ERA in 24 starts, Richardson was converted to a relief pitcher during the off-season. The 25-year-old left-hander responded, putting up a 2.55 ERA in 45 appearances, striking out 96 in 74.0 innings and earning an Eastern League All-Star nod. A fifth-round selection in the 2006 draft, Richardson now owns a 22-21 record with a 4.11 ERA in 348.0 innings in the Red Sox system.

To make room for Richardson on the 40-man roster, Pawtucket outfielder Chris Carter was designated for assignment. The left-handed batter, who recently turned 27, hit .294/.358/.465 with 16 home runs and 61 RBI in 2009, taking home the Pawtucket MVP award in the process. Originally acquired from Arizona for Wily Mo Pena in a three-way trade in August of 2007, Carter owns a career .306/.380/.510 line with 126 home runs in 726 minor league games in the Arizona and Boston systems.

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