Red Sox make 3 roster moves with bullpen as Justin Slaten takes big step toward returning

Red Sox make 3 roster moves with bullpen as Justin Slaten takes big step toward returning
Zack Kelly was optioned to the WooSox on Saturday. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)AP

BOSTON — The Red Sox completed some housekeeping with their roster before Saturday’s game, updating the status of three relievers.

Boston activated righties Zack Kelly and Nick Burdi from the injured list and optioned them both to Triple-A Worcester, where they were both already rehabbing. Because Burdi was on the 60-day IL, the Sox needed a 40-man spot for him and cleared that by moving fellow righty Luis Guerrero to the 60-day IL.

Kelly had been out since June 30 with a right oblique strain and originally had his option voided in favor of an injured list stint once further tests revealed the injury. He has made four rehab appearances (two at Greenville and two at Worcester) since July 24 and struck out three in two shutout innings for the WooSox on Friday night. He owns a 5.56 ERA in 17 MLB appearances this year.

Burdi, out since June 3 with a right foot contusion, has pitched four times in the big leagues this year, tossing 5 ⅓ scoreless innings. He has dominated at Worcester, logging a 1.23 ERA and 29 strikeouts in 22 innings.

Guerrero has a right elbow strain that has kept him out since June 28, so he won’t be eligible to return until around September 1. He’s currently throwing bullpen sessions in Fort Myers.

Kelly, Burdi and Guerrero are all depth options for a Red Sox bullpen that got a boost this week with the acquisition of lefty Steven Matz in a trade with the Cardinals. A bigger boost may come in the next few weeks with Justin Slaten, who has been out since May 29 with a shoulder injury, throwing his first bullpen session at Fenway Park on Saturday and beginning to meaningfully ramp up his throwing program.

“That’s the first one, so there’s no timetable,“ said manager Alex Cora. ”He’s on the mound so he’s obviously closer than a few weeks ago.”

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