The Boston Red Sox optioned slumping outfielder Allen Craig to Triple-A on Sunday.
The team also optioned left-handed reliever Robbie Ross Jr. to Pawtucket and promoted outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. and right-hander Steven Wright.
Craig, a former All-Star, is batting .135 (7-for-52) with one home run and two RBIs in 24 games this season. He has a .130 average since his trade from the St. Louis Cardinals in July 2014.
The 30-year-old Craig played a key role for the Cardinals in two World Series (2011 and 2013) and hit .291 in parts of five seasons with St. Louis. He has not been the same player since sustaining a Lisfranc fracture in his left foot near the end of the 2013 season.
Ross has struggled since coming to the Red Sox in a trade from Texas, posting a 6.17 ERA in 13 appearances.
Bradley was in Boston’s starting lineup Sunday against the Toronto Blue Jays, batting eighth and playing right field. He was hitting .343 at Pawtucket.
Wright was 2-1 with a 3.24 ERA overall in four starts for Pawtucket.
Willis hired as pitching coach
The Boston Red Sox hired Carl Willis to be their pitching coach, the Boston Globe reported Saturday.
Willis replaces Juan Nieves, who was dismissed two days ago. Willis joined the team Saturday.
Willis, 54, had been a Triple-A pitching coach for the Cleveland Indians, and he has been a major-league pitching coach for the Indians and the Seattle Mariners.
Red Sox pitchers having the worst ERA in the league.