Thornburg (hip) was released by the Red Sox on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

The move was an expected one after Thornburg refused an assignment to the minors earlier in the day. Everything has gone wrong for the 30-year-old since his move to Boston following the 2016 season, as he missed the following campaign due to thoracic outlet syndrome and owns a 6.54 ERA in the two seasons since. Some team will likely take a chance on him in hopes that he can recapture some of his old form, but he hasn't given any indication that he's anywhere close to being a shutdown reliever.

Thornburg (hip) exercised his right to refuse an assignment to the minors Tuesday, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Thornburg's 30-day rehab assignment expired Monday, but the Red Sox apparently had no desire to activate him after he recorded a 12.66 ERA and a 2.44 WHIP in 10.2 innings of minor-league action. The team must now find another excuse to keep him on the injured list or, more likely, release him. The 30-year-old could remain moderately interesting to some teams due to his 2.15 ERA and 34.2 percent strikeout rate for the Brewers back in 2016, but he's done very little since, missing all of 2017 due to thoracic outlet syndrome and posting a 6.54 ERA in 42.2 major-league innings over the last season-plus.

Thornburg's (hip) rehab assignment was ended Monday but he remains on the injured list, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Thornburg's assignment had to be ended Monday, as rehab assignments are limited to 30 days. He's been quite poor throughout the assignment, recording a 12.66 ERA and a 2.44 WHIP in 10.2 innings of work, those numbers drop to 3.60 and 1.60, respectively, over his last four outings. The Red Sox evidently don't think that's enough proof that he's in good shape, however, so he'll likely back off for a short period before heading out on another rehab assignment.

Thornburg (hip) will pitch Saturday for the Triple-A Pawtucket, the final outing before his 30-day rehab assignment ends Monday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Thornburg does not have minor-league options, so Boston's decision is simple: either add him back to the MLB roster or designate him for assignment. The right-handed reliever has been a mess all season, whether that be for Boston or on rehab with Pawtucket. After pitching to a 7.71 ERA over 16 appearances with Boston, Thornburg landed on the injured list with a right hip impingement. For the PawSox, Thornburg has a 13.97 ERA and 2.48 WHIP in 9.2 innings.

Thornburg (hip) struck out a batter in a perfect inning during his rehab appearance Sunday for Triple-A Pawtucket.

EDGE Analysis

Thornburg probably won't be in line for a high-volume role once the Red Sox bring him back from the 10-day injured list, but the organization is still planning on having the right-hander stick on the rehab assignment for an extended period before he's activated, per Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe. Since Thornburg was acquired from the Brewers in December 2016, injuries have limited him to only 41 regular-season appearances, during which he's compiled a 6.54 ERA and 1.62 WHIP.

Thornburg (hip) threw a simulated inning Tuesday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Thornburg landed on the 10-day injured list May 23 due to a right hip impingement, though it's good to see that he's been able to resume throwing. The Red Sox have yet to reveal a concrete timetable for his return, however, it seems likely that he'll require at least a brief rehab stint prior to his activation.

Thornburg was placed on the 10-day injured list Thursday with a right hip impingement, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 30-year-old righty had not been experiencing much success prior to the injury. He sits with a 7.71 ERA and 1.66 WHIP in 18.2 innings (16 appearances). Travis Lakins was promoted from Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Thornburg allowed a run on one hit and one walk while striking out one in Tuesday's 5-1 win over Oakland.

EDGE Analysis

Thornburg, who has been relegated to low-leverage situations, allowed the Athletics' lone run. He's been tagged for seven hits (two home runs), five walks and eight runs over his last 5.2 innings. The Red Sox are loath to part ways with him after giving up multiple prospects, including Travis Shaw, for him in 2016, but Thornburg is not entrusted to handle important duty.

Thornburg allowed one hit and struck out one over a scoreless inning in Friday's 15-8 loss to the Diamondbacks.

EDGE Analysis

Thornburg has three straight scoreless appearances since allowing two runs on Opening Day. All four of his outings this season have come with Boston losing, but it's hard to assess bullpen roles on a team that's getting hammered like the Red Sox have been during their 2-7 start. Boston's starters have a league-worst 9.60 ERA, so all of its relievers are being used in low-leverage spots.

Thornburg didn't allow an earned run but walked three batters in one inning of work Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Thornburg has struggled for much of the spring, as indicated by his 9.0 ERA and 2.8 WHIP. He appeared to be trending in the right direction -- he had one walk in a scoreless outing in his last appearance -- but failed to build on that Thursday. While his rocky spring puts him on the roster bubble, he is out of options and may break camp with the team as a result.