The Boston Red Sox released pitcher Tyler Thornburg on Wednesday, putting an end to his disappointing career with the team.
Thornburg, 30, was acquired at the 2016 Winter Meetings in a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers for infielder Travis Shaw and minor league prospects Mauricio Dubon, Josh Pennington and Yeison Coca.
The Red Sox envisioned Thornburg as a key piece, a set-up man for closer Craig Kimbrel, and were willing to part with Shaw, who had shown power as a versatile infielder for the Red Sox in 2016.