Bausher gets the call to bolster ailing staff
PAWTUCKET, R.I. -- Their rotation decimated by injuries, the Red Sox summoned Pawtucket reliever Tim Bausher to Texas yesterday, giving the club eight relief pitchers for this weekend's series against the offensively combustible Rangers.
The 26-year-old Bausher, who impressed Sox manager Terry Francona with six shutout innings in spring training, figures to be with the club only until Monday, given that the team will need someone (most likely PawSox righthander Jeremi Gonzalez) to start Tuesday.
Bausher, a 6-foot-4-inch righthander, has never pitched in the big leagues and hadn't pitched above Double A before this month. Bausher, drafted in the 27th round by Seattle in 2001, was claimed off waivers by Boston Dec. 6, 2004.
Bausher made five appearances for the Sox in spring training, going 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA. He allowed two runs, both unearned, on five hits, three walks, and six strikeouts. In four appearances spanning 8 1/3 innings with Pawtucket this year, Bausher was 0-0 with a 3.24 ERA. He held opponents to a .233 average. He touched 94 miles per hour in his most recent outing and has ranked among Pawtucket's hardest throwers this season.
Sox general manager Theo Epstein wouldn't confirm Bausher's call-up yesterday, saying a roster move would be made official today. When that happens, Bausher will assume the roster spot of Curt Schilling, who is going on the disabled list with a bone bruise above his right ankle.
Fine time?
Today is a likely day for the commissioner's office to announce suspensions and/or fines for those ejected from Sunday's Sox-Devil Rays game. Bronson Arroyo and Trot Nixon stand to be suspended, while Francona might be fined . . . While the Sox flew to Texas Wednesday evening, Kevin Millar stayed behind to be with his wife, Jeanna, who gave birth to twins Wednesday morning. Millar was expected to be on a flight to Dallas last night, along with a number of Sox teammates who preferred to spend the offday at home . . . Kevin Youkilis, optioned to Pawtucket April 13, began 1 for 15 at the plate with the PawSox and is hitting just .227 with no home runs and four RBIs. But Youkilis feels he's settled in the last four or five games. The adjustment? With the Sox he was hitting down in the lineup, and here he's hitting third. As a result, he's seeing a diet of sliders and curveballs in what used to be fastball counts . . . Catcher Kelly Shoppach homered last night, the only run in Pawtucket's 1-0 win over Scranton/Wilkes-Barre . . . San Diego's Triple A team in Portland, Ore., released 39-year-old pitcher Steve Sparks yesterday. Might the Sox be interested in adding a second knuckleballer to the rotation with the injuries to Schilling and David Wells? No, according to Sparks. Sparks, through Portland official Chris Metz, said last night that he has not spoken with the Sox. Sparks was 2-0 with a 2.04 ERA in three starts with Portland. He was 3-7 with a 6.04 ERA last season with the Diamondbacks . . . How un-Schilling-like has the Sox righthander been this season? Before two strikes, batters were hitting .531 (17 for 32) off Schilling with a .906 slugging percentage, according to statistician Chuck Waseleski . . . The Curt Schilling Bobble Ankle Doll will be sold online to benefit Curt's Pitch for ALS, the SHADE Foundation, and the charities of the Brockton Rox. The dolls are $25 apiece plus shipping and can be purchased at www.curtspitch.org and www.bobbleankle.com.
Gordon Edes of the Globe staff contributed to this report.
