By Maureen Mullen
CSNNE.com
BOSTON -- After throwing 3 23 innings and 67 pitches yesterday against the Angels, right-hander Scott Atchison would likely be unavailable to pitch again for a few days, which is why he left the Red Sox clubhouse after the game with his Pawtucket Red Sox equipment bag. Right-hander Alfredo Aceves will be called up from Pawtucket today to take his placing working out of the bullpen.
But, Atchison will also be unavailable to the PawSox for several days, not only because of his Thursday outing, but because of a little-known technical rule.
Despite the fact that Atchison still has options remaining, he cannot immediately be optioned back to Pawtucket. Any player who made his big league debut more than three years before and still has options remaining must first clear optional waivers before he can be optioned back to a minor league team. Atchison made his debut July 31, 2004. Waivers take between two to four days to secure. Once he clears waivers, he can be optioned back to Pawtucket, likely early next week.
To make room for Aceves on the 25-man roster, Atchison must be designated. When Atchison is designated, he will also be taken off the 40-man roster, temporarily opening a spot there. Assuming he is optioned back to Pawtucket, he will be added back to the 40-man.
Maureen Mullen is on Twitter at http:twitter.commaureenamullen.