The Red Sox may have seen the last of Rich Hill and Daisuke Matsuzaka, putting Hill on the 15-day DL and Matsuzaka on the 60- DL, with reports of them both needing season-ending Tommy John surgery.
But in doing so, they are seeing the first of left-handed pitcher Tommy Hottovy, called up from Triple-A Pawtucket today and put on the active MLB roster for the first time in his career.
Hottovy had a hot start to his season, which started in Double-A Portland and quickly moved to Pawtucket. In 14 relief appearances this season between the two clubs, Hottovy has combined for a 1.67 ERA (5 ER27.0 IP) with one save, 28 strikeouts and five walks.
In six appearances at Pawtucket, Hottovy is holding opponents to a .133 average, including 12 hitless at-bats versus left-handed hitters.
Hottovy, 29, was drafted by the Sox in the fourth round of the 2004 First-Year Player Draft. He is 22-38 with one save, a 4.17 ERA, 441 strikeouts, and 203 walks in 169 career minor league games (90 starts).