Hottovy Called Up As Hill Considers TJ Surgery And Okajima Wants A Trade

The Red Sox have called up lefty Tommy Hottovy, according to a tweet by his Pawtucket roommate Brent Dlugach.

Hottovy, a fourth round draft pick in 2004, has pitched a combined 27 innings this year for Portland and Pawtucket, allowing 16 hits and five walks (0.78 WHIP), with 25 strikeouts. He turns 30 next month. Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal wrote about Hottovy's new delivery following TJ surgery (which he discusses here) in 2008.

Rich Hill may also need Tommy John surgery. He will get a second opinion before making a decision. Hill tore a ligament in his elbow in Wednesday's game.

Last weekend, Hottovy said that Hill's success in Boston -- both pitchers now have a similar motion -- had inspired him.

That's the type of role I see myself being in. To see him have success gives me confidence because I feel that's the type of role, the type of stuff I eventually see myself having.

Hideki Okajima says he'd rather be traded than called up to Boston to replace Hill. "I'd rather not be called up in this situation. ... [H]opefully along the line another team will show more interest in me and I can be traded." Clearly, Jeemer wants out of the Red Sox organization and doing well in AAA will accelerate that process.

Other stuff:

Dustin Pedroia hit .227/.331/.309 in May. Forty-one of his 52 hits this year have been singles. According to Fangraphs, Pedroia's line drive percentage this year is extremely low (15.2), a huge drop from last year's 22.2%. However, his walk rate last year was a career-best 10.5%, and this year, it's up to 14.2%.

J.D. Drew batted .188 in May (.200 BABIP) with only three extra-base hits and five RBI in 69 at-bats. For the season, he's hitting .228/.390/.342. ... Kevin Youkilis is 4-for-28 in his last seven games, dropping his average to .254. But he's still getting on base. Yook is 10th in the AL in OBP (.377, which is tied with Adrian Gonzalez for second-best on the Sox, behind David Ortiz's .382).

Manny Delcarmen was recently granted his release from Tacoma (AAA, Seattle), where he had a 5.14 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP in 18 appearances. He signed a minor league deal with the Rangers and has been assigned to Round Rock (AAA) of the Pacific Coast League.