PORTLAND, Maine — Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Justin Masterson is expected to join the Portland Sea Dogs on a rehab assignment at 7 p.m. Friday when Boston’s Double-A affiliate hosts the Bowie Baysox.
Masterson, 30, was placed on the 15-day disabled list with arm fatigue on May 14. In seven starts for the Red Sox this season, the right-hander is 2-2 with a 6.37 ERA, allowing 40 hits and 19 walks while striking out 24.
The appearance by Masterson for Portland will mark the third season he has appeared in a Sea Dogs game, but his first on a rehab assignment. He previously pitched for the Sea Dogs during the 2007 and 2008 seasons and was 5-6 with a 4.30 ERA
Originally a second round pick of the Red Sox in the June 2006 draft, Masterson is now in his second stint in the Red Sox organization. He made his major league debut with Boston in 2008 and appeared in 67 games (15 starts) in 2008 and 2009, compiling a 9-8 record and a 3.77 ERA.
He was traded to the Cleveland Indians on July 31, 2009, along with Nick Hagadone and Bryan Price, in the deal that brought Victor Martinez to Boston. Masterson spent five years in Cleveland and was a 2013 American League All-Star. He was traded from Cleveland to the St. Louis Cardinals on July 30, 2014, in exchange for Jules Ramsey.
Masterson signed a one-year contract with the Red Sox as a free agent on Dec. 11, 2014.
He is the second Red Sox player to rehab with the Sea Dogs this season, joining Shane Victorino (May 8-9). Masterson is the 37th player to make a major league rehab assignment with the Portland Sea Dogs and the 31st as a Red Sox affiliate.