Bobby

Poyner

The Red Sox cut bait on Poyner earlier this month after he registered a calamitous 9.69 ERA across 13 innings at Triple-A Worcester.

Poyner and Alvarez have some major league experience but are unlikely to play much of a role in 2020 with the big club.

Poyner cleared waivers after being designated for assignment last week. The 27-year-old scuffled during his time in them majors last season, but he’s a useful arm to keep around.

The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster for Jeffrey Springs. Poyner struggled in the majors last season, but he pitched pretty well in the big leagues and in the minors prior to that and could draw some interest on waivers.

He struck out two and didn’t allow any baserunners in his brief start. He was the lone bright spot in the ballgame for the Red Sox as they suffered a lopsided, shutout loss. It was Poyner’s sixth appearance of the season for the Red Sox. He has given up seven runs in eight innings of work. He had a 3.77 ERA in 43 games at Triple-A Pawtucket this year.

Poyner is one of four minor league relievers joining the Red Sox for the stretch run. The 26-year-old left-hander has allowed seven earned runs in just four innings of work this season at the MLB level.

Poyner surrendered five earned runs in three innings of relief Tuesday night against the Rangers, giving him a 15.75 ERA in three total appearances this season at the major league level.

Poyner allowed two earned runs over one inning (two relief appearances) with the Red Sox back in April and has struggled with his control this year at the Triple-A level. He probably won’t be up for very long.

Poyner made only two appearances during his short stay in the Boston bullpen and surrendered runs in each of them. Travis Lakins will take his roster spot ahead of Tuesday’s night game against the Tigers.

He will replace the injured Nathan Eovaldi (elbow) on the Red Sox active roster. Poyner performed well for the Red Sox last year as a rookie, turning in a 3.22 ERA with 24 strikeouts in 22 1/3 innings out of the bullpen. He is not a candidate to replace Eovaldi in the rotation. He has always been a reliever, even in the minors, and will pitch in middle relief for the Red Sox moving forward.