It was hinted at Tuesday night, but the Red Sox have made it official -- sending reliever Mark Melancon to Triple-A Pawtucket.
Melancon gave up three homers in Tuesday's loss to the Rangers without recording an out, pushing his ERA to 49.50 on the young season. The former Astros closer has faced 18 hitters this season and given up five home runs. He's recorded just six outs.
The Red Sox recalled reliever Junichi Tazawa.
Melancon, 27, was acquired in a trade with the Astros in December for Jed Lowrie and Kyle Weiland. Melancon was in the competition for the closer's role when Andrew Bailey was injured at the end of spring training. The Red Sox chose Alfredo Aceves to close and Melancon complained after being pulled after just 1/3 of an inning in an opening-day loss to the Tigers.
Melancon has given up runs in each of his four appearances this season, including six on Tuesday.
Tazawa, 25, has appeared in four games this season in Pawtucket, allowing five hits and no runs in seven innings. He appeared in three games for the Red Sox last season, allowing two runs on three hits in three innings.
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