The Red Sox appear to have had their decision on right-handed reliever Tyler Thornburg made for them.
Thornburg has refused to accept a minor league assignment after completing a 30-day rehab stint for a hip injury at Triple-A Pawtucket and he's "trending toward being released," reports Rob Bradford of WEEI.com
Thornburg, 30, has struggled in the majors and on his rehab assignment with the PawSox. In 11 Triple-A appearances, he has a 12.66 ERA, with nine walks and five homers allowed. His major league ERA was 7.71 ERA in 16 appearances before going on the injured list May 24.
The Red Sox traded Travis Shaw and shortstop prospect Mauricio Dubon for Thornburg in 2016, hoping to add a set-up man. Thornburg was coming off a career year in which he recorded a 2.15 ERA for Milwaukee, but missed all of 2017 with a shoulder injury and hasn't been the same. Meanwhile, Shaw, sent to Triple-A after struggling this season, hit more than 30 home runs in 2017 and 2018.
Dubon was called up by the Brewers for the first time on Sunday.
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