BOSTON — Left-hander Henry Owens will make his major-league debut in Tuesday’s series opener against the Yankees at Yankee Stadium.

Owens, 23, is 3-8 with a 3.16 ERA in 23 starts this season for Triple-A Pawtucket. After struggling with his control for the first two months of the season, he’s pitched much better recently, with nine consecutive starts of at least six innings and two or fewer walks.

“A lot more strikes, repeating his delivery,” Red Sox Manager John Farrell said to the New England Sports Network about Owens’ improvement. “Coming out of spring training, there was some work needed with just commanding his body, as well as the baseball, and that’s been the case over the last four weeks or more.

“In a nutshell, it’s more quality strikes throughout the entire time he’s on the mound.”

THE RED SOX placed struggling right-hander Rick Porcello on the 15-day disabled list because of soreness in his right triceps.

To fill his spot on the roster, Boston added newly acquired right-handed reliever Ryan Cook.

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Manager John Farrell said the Red Sox initially thought of just pushing Porcello’s next outing back.

“We feel like it’s a short-term thing,” Farrell added.

The 26-year-old Porcello was expected to be a top-of-the rotation starter, but he is 5-11 with a 5.81 ERA in 20 starts.

The club signed him to a four-year, $82.5 million contract extension in April.

Boston acquired Cook from Oakland at the non-waiver trade deadline Friday in a deal for a player to be named or cash. He was pitching for the Athletics’ Triple-A affiliate.

PABLO SANDOVAL was out of the lineup for the third straight game because of a bruised left forearm after getting hit with a pitch Thursday. He entered Sunday’s game as a pinch-hitter, striking out in the ninth. Travis Shaw again played third base. … Farrell said left fielder Hanley Ramirez “tweaked his knee on a swing,” and that was why he was removed for a pinch-runner the eighth inning. … Farrell also said center fielder Mookie Betts, on the seven-day concussion disabled list, is not expected to travel to New York for the series against the Yankees.


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