But not David Wells. It’s to be David Pauley, from Portland (AA). He gets the call over Abe Alvarez, who couldn’t be called up until after Wednesday because of the 10-day stipulation. (A minor leaguer, if sent to the minors, cannot be recalled for the next ten days unless a DL stint by a major leaguer occurs.)
Pauley, acquired in the Dave Roberts trade to the San Diego Padres on December 20th, 2004, is 22 years old and hails from Longmont, Colorado. He has a 2-3 record in Portland so far this year, but with a 2.39 ERA, 17 walks and 47 strikeouts in 60.1 IP, all in ten games started (so he averages six innings a start). His ceiling is as a #4 or #5 starter, and throws a low-90s fastball with good movement, with his two calling cards being a changeup and curveball. The only thing holding Pauley back from breaking out is his command, which needs to be refined.
Apparently, Boston did not want to use one of the Pawtucket lefthanders, and in addition, Pawtucket did not have any starters ready to go, for they have an off-day today. The corresponding move to get Pauley onto the 25-man roster will likely come after the game tonight.
