Tyler Thornburg. (Elsa/Getty Images)
BOSTON (WBZ-AM) -- Chris Sale will square off with Jason Hammel when the MLB-leading Red Sox meet the AL Central cellar-dwelling Royals tonight in Kansas City at 8:15 p.m., but one thing to keep an eye out for aside from the starting pitching--Boston fans may get their first look at Tyler Thornburg in a Sox uniform.
Thornburg was acquired by the Brewers back in December of 2016, but he hasn't appeared in a single game for the Red Sox since while recovering from right shoulder surgery--and earning about three million dollars.
It's easy to forget Thornburg was one of baseball's best relievers in 2016 with a 2.15 ERA and 90 strikeouts in his 67 innings for Milwaukee. So, Alex Cora, think we'll see Thornburg tonight against the Royals, or during the series anyhow?
"We'll see, it'd be good to use him," Cora said. "He's healthy, he's here, he's available, so if we feel that there's a pocket there that we feel is a good matchup for us, we'll use him."
In 18 appearances rehabbing in the minors with Portland and Pawtucket, Thornburg posted a 4.96 ERA with 15 K's and eight walks in 16-and-a-third innings.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Adam Kaufman (@AdamMKaufman) reports