You would think the Red Sox bullpen could use a former All-Star to strengthen things up a bit, but that's not happening right now.
Ryan Cook, the team's only acquisition on trade deadline day, was optioned down to triple- Pawtucket on Monday.
Cook had been in the minor leagues prior to the trade to Boston, and stayed up with the Sox for one game before being optioned back down.
The move will open up a spot for Henry Owens on the 25-man roster, who will make his major league debut at Yankee Stadium Tuesday night.
Cook spoke prior to Sunday's Sox game, and told reporters that after not getting the right results with changes to his delivery in spring training, he's back to where he needs to be.
That would be great news for the Sox, as Cook was an All-Star in 2012, and a combined 13-9 with a 2.60 ERA in 196 appearances (190.2 IP) from 2012-2014.
His 2015 major league season was short-lived, as after four appearances and a 10.38 ERA he was optioned to the A's triple-A affiliate.
The Red Sox are short on starting pitching, with Clay Buchholz, Rick Porcello, and now Brian Johnson hitting the disabled list. Had Johnson been healthy, perhaps it's Joe Kelly, and not Cook, who gets optioned down to the PawSox to create the space for Owens. But the Sox may have no choice but to stick with Kelly for now.
Either way, Cook get a chance to work on some things with the PawSox pitching coaches and get back to Boston before the 2015 season ends.