Lefty Poyner activated, optioned to Triple-A
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OAKLAND -- The Red Sox activated left-handed reliever Bobby Poyner from the 10-day disabled list before Sunday's game and optioned him to Triple-A Pawtucket. Manager Alex Cora also offered updates on the status of pitcher Austin Maddox and second baseman Dustin Pedroia on Sunday.
Poyner completed his second rehab outing on Saturday with Pawtucket, twirling a 10-pitch scoreless seventh inning against the Gwinnett Stripers. He retired the side in order, striking out Chris Stewart to end the frame.
The 25-year-old lefty had been on the disabled list since April 12 with a left hamstring strain.
The Red Sox had been talking about having Pedroia meet the team in Boston, but the veteran second baseman wished to remain at the team's extended spring training complex in Fort Myers at this stage in his recovery.
"He feels that going to Boston is going to work against him mentally because he's going to be around the players and then he's going to have to go back to Fort Myers," Cora said. "So he'll stay down there and keep working."
According to Cora, Pedroia is essentially at a stage similar to the first few weeks of Spring Training, doing defensive drills and building up his strength. They do not yet have a concrete timetable for his recovery program.
Cora also feels that keeping Pedroia in Fort Myers is important due to the leadership he offers to the younger players in extended spring training.
"Regardless of where he's at, he's going to do everything right and 100 percent," Cora said. "He's one more instructor down there."
Maddox threw an "aggressive" 30-pitch bullpen session on Wednesday with encouraging results. Cora said that Maddox is slated to throw one more bullpen session before progressing to live batting practice.
"We do feel that he's going to contribute sooner rather than later," Cora said. "He's different than the other guys. He pitches inside, he elevates. He's one of those guys, that when healthy, we feel comfortable with him with matchups."
Maddox has not pitched this season as he recovers from a right shoulder strain. The 26-year-old righty recorded a 0.52 ERA in 17 1/3 innings of relief for the Red Sox last season, with 14 strikeouts and two walks.
Red Sox to celebrate Earth Day on April 27
As part of Major League Baseball's league-wide sustainability initiatives to recognize Earth Day, the Red Sox will celebrate Earth Day on April 27 at Fenway Park in collaboration with their partners at Waste Management and Aramark.
The Sox will have a fan engagement table that will include recycling games, trivia and giveaways and a postgame waste sort similar to their effort last year.
They will also announce that they will collaborate Engie, their energy supplier, to offset 100 percent of their electricity consumption with green e-certified renewable energy certificates through November 2019.
The Red Sox are one of nine clubs that utilize solar power at their ballpark, and one of 11 teams that operates its own garden or farm. Boston uses its garden to source some food for concession stands and restaurants at Fenway Park.