BOSTON -- The Boston Red Sox recalled right-hander Joe Kelly from Triple-A Pawtucket on Sunday, a day after sending fellow righty Heath Hembree to the minors.
Kelly has been pitching out of the bullpen for the past few weeks at Pawtucket and Single-A Lowell prior to that. He has five scoreless innings and eight strikeouts over his last four relief appearances for the PawSox, but has not pitched in relief in the majors since 2013 with St. Louis.
The 28-year-old made six starts earlier this season for Boston, going 2-0 despite an 8.46 ERA, and also spent time on the disabled list with a shoulder issue.