The Red Sox announced today that they have recalled the rehabilitation assignment of righty Tyler Thornburg. While the reliever remains on the injured list for the time being, the move begins a two-day period within which the club will have to decide whether to activate him or instead remove him from the MLB roster, as Alex Speier of the Boston Globe notes on Twitter.
Thornburg has been working back from a hip impingement since late May — the latest in a line of health issues that have significantly limited him since he came to Boston in the 2016-17 offseason. He has averaged 94.1 mph on his average fastball this year in the majors, but little else has gone according to plan.
Despite the return to a velocity level that sits just over his career average, Thornburg managed only an 8.6% swinging-strike rate over his 18 2/3 innings. He did record 22 strikeouts, but also handed over ten walks and gave up four long balls. If anything, it might be surprising the ball didn’t leave the yard more often. Opposing hitters tagged Thornburg to the tune of a 92.4 mph average exit velocity, 56.6% hard-contact rate, and 20.4 degree average launch angle.
In all, Thornburg coughed up 7.71 earned per nine in the majors. And his rehab showing at Triple-A hasn’t been any more promising. In 10 2/3 frames there, he was ambushed for a whopping 15 earned runs and five long balls.
It’s possible that the Sox will give Thornburg one more shot to make good at the MLB level. Odds are they’ll decide it’s time to cut bait, even with a relief unit that’s in need of supplementation. Other organizations will surely like to see if they can help the veteran get back to what once made him a quality reliever, though it’s hard to imagine any taking on the remainder of his $1.75MM salary.
Tendering Thornburg in his final season of arb eligibility has proven a regrettable decision for the Red Sox, though it’s understandable the organization sought to recoup some value. Despite turning in questionable results when he was able to pitch in 2018, Thornburg evidently showed enough for the club to think he could rediscover his form. Indeed, over the winter, the club even cited him as a possible member of the late-inning mix.
I’m sure he’s a nice guy, but he’s been useless. That trade hurts so bad. Still. Cut our losses and move on
Hurts a little less after seeing Shaw sent down to AAA
They may keep him to save face. One of the most ridiculous, pointless trades they’ve made in the past 20 years.
Shedding an extra 3rd baseman for what was supposed to be a very good bullpen arm isn’t pointless. They were committed to giving Devers the starting 3B job and had both Holt and Nunez that could fill in. Shaw was the odd man out. The trade just didn’t work out for Boston. It happens.
I’ve said it before, the issue to me wasn’t Shaw but the other three minor leaguers that could have been used to supplement other trades. Brewers already won this trade even if Shaw becomes Will Middlebrooks 2.0.
Saving face isn’t a high priority with this team, as Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval can attest…
It made perfect sense at the time with both Moncada and Devers on the way. He was lights out the year b4 for the Brewers. Just didn’t work out.
It isn’t ridiculous, pointless deal when you’re trading for a high-quality reliever whose issues are due to a serious injury.
i know the Shields and Shelby Miller trades look pretty bad now, but things webt south on this trade even quicker.
that was a horrible trade he sucks
Another pointless trade for Sox was the Carson Smith trade
That trade wasn’t “pointless”. Neither was the Shaw trade. Both served a purpose to upgrade the bullpen. The problem is that both blew up in Boston’s face. Miley was pretty crap in Seattle so that one doesn’t sting like the Shaw trade.
Both guys got hurt. Thornburg’s was completely out of the blue. Smith’s motion made him seem injury prone, but he was coming off a great year and Miley was a sixth starter.
I’ll be fair to Dombrowski. Not his fault either pitcher got hurt. Frankly it was nice to see him concerned about the bullpen. Ah those were the days….
Just try to get Shane Greene and Matthew Boyd from Tigers
Sure. Just have DD fill out the forms and have them shipped overnight…
Probably not that hard of a decision at this point…
I think the Nationals are already knocking
If a trade is close, activate him and include him in the swap. Have the trading team absorb his salary instead of sending money to boston o the player being acquired.
The potential he becomes of any value what-so-ever with no net cost on the acquiring squad (other than a roster spot which, be honest, on a selling team isn’t a consideration) is a slight sweetener on the trade, sort of throwing in a low a ballplayer.
He has averaged 94.1 mph on his average fastball this year.
I wonder what he’s averaged on his above average fastball this year. If he’s had one at all.
He hasn’t had one…..
The trade may seem bad, but the Sox can’t really be faulted. When acquired, Thornburg was considered a top-flight setup man who looked destined to be a quality closer. After thoracic outlet he just hasn’t been the same.
True that.
Jeff, Can you elaborate on the rules of being recalled from a rehab assignment? I can’t tell if it’s a seldom used roster move or if it’s a special rule since teams are on the all star break.