After making an impression at Worcester, Bailey Horn is now making his debut with the Red Sox.
The Red Sox will make three roster changes on Friday in preparation for a three-game series against the Padres, even though they had Thursday off.
Boston optioned veteran catcher Tyler Heineman down to Triple-A Worcester and reinstated catcher Connor Wong, who used up his three-day stint on the paternity list and will be available for Friday’s game. In addition, the Sox returned right-handed reliever Isaiah Campbell to the WooSox without making any announcement on a bullpen trade in tandem. According to Andrew Parker of Beyond the Monster, lefty Bailey Horn, who was brought up to the majors for his first big league trip, would presumably take that slot.
Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow is familiar with 26-year-old Horn, a former White Sox fifth-round selection, having spent the last three seasons in the Cubs organization, where Breslow oversaw the pitching staff. In a minor deal on April 30, the Red Sox acquired him for cash from the White Sox. Since then, in 12 outings for the WooSox, he has pitched to a 1.69 ERA (3 earned runs in 16 innings), giving up nine hits and striking out 19 batters. Over the past four seasons, he has played in 120 minor league games (15 starts), but he has not yet pitched in the main leagues. Horn was highlighted by Chris Smith of MassLive back in May.
In addition to Brennan Bernardino, Horn will offer the Red Sox two lefties in the bullpen. They were down to one on Monday after Josh Winckowski and Campbell were recalled, and Cam Booser (along with Brad Keller) was optioned to Triple-A. With a 16.20 ERA in the majors this season, Campbell will return to the WooSox after giving up three earned runs on three hits with only one out in Monday’s victory. Winckowski will start against San Diego on Sunday.
Unless they replace an injured player, Booser, Keller, and starting Cooper Criswell were not eligible to replace Campbell since they each had to spend 15 days in the minor leagues.
Heineman played in just two major league games this year before striking out on Monday night as a pinch hitter. The switch-hitter has batted.242 (23-for-95) with 15 runs scored, three doubles, two home runs, and thirteen RBIs in 30 games with Worcester. After leading all catchers in batting average (min. 100 plate appearances) and hitting 3.30 (66-for-200) with 26 runs scored, seven home runs, and an.870 OPS in 57 games this season, Wong is a strong possibility for an All-Star selection.
