Red Sox activate Michael Wacha from injured list, option Darwinzon Hernandez to Triple-A Worcester

The Red Sox have activated right-hander Michael Wacha from the 15-day injured list. In a corresponding move, left-hander Darwinzon Hernandez was optioned to Triple-A Worcester, the club announced earlier Sunday afternoon.

Wacha returns from the injured list after being sidelined for the last five-plus weeks with right shoulder inflammation. The 31-year-old made two rehab appearances for Triple-A Worcester and Double-A Portland on August 4 and 9, allowing a total of two runs on four hits, three walks, and 13 strikeouts over nine combined innings with the WooSox and Sea Dogs.

At the big-league level this season, Wacha — who signed a one-year, $7 million deal with Boston last November — has posted a 2.69 ERA and 3.97 FIP to go along with 50 strikeouts to 22 walks over 13 starts spanning 70 1/3 innings of work.

Despite missing as much time as he has to this point in the year, Wacha currently leads all Red Sox pitchers in bWAR (2.2), per Baseball-Reference. Boston is 9-4 in games started by Wacha, who will be getting the ball in Sunday’s series finale against the Yankees at Fenway Park.

Hernandez, meanwhile, has struggled to find his footing out of the Red Sox bullpen so far this season. Since making his 2022 debut one month ago Sunday, the 25-year-old has surrendered 17 runs (16 earned) on 14 hits, eight walks, and nine strikeouts across seven outings and 6 2/3 innings pitched. That is good for an ERA of 21.60.

After failing to make Boston’s Opening Day roster out of spring training, Hernandez tore his right meniscus while with the WooSox in May and missed nearly two weeks of action as a result. In Worcester, the Venezuelan-born southpaw has produced a 4.68 ERA (3.59 FIP) over 14 appearances (seven starts) and 25 innings.

With Hernandez being optioned, Austin Davis is now the only left-handed reliever on the Red Sox’ 26-man roster.