With the Red Sox not happy with their left handed pitching options of the pen, the Red Sox have announced that they signed 40 year old left handed relief pitcher, Alan Embree to a minor league deal that included an invitation to spring training. This spring lefty veteran Brian Shouse has not been really impressive and prospect Dustin Richardson getting hurt and then quickly optioned out. The Sox were looking for a lefthander who could be a southpaw option out of the pen with Hideki Okajima.

Embree spent 2009 with the Colorado Rockies, going 2-2 with a 5.84 ERA in 36 relief appearances. His season was cut short when a batted ball fractured his right tibia on July 10. He ranks ninth all-time among Major League left-handers and second among active lefthanders with 878 career relief outings.

He returns for a second stint in the Red Sox organization after going 8-9 with four saves and a 4.69 ERA in 211 relief appearances with the club from 2002-05. He allowed earned runs in just one of his 19 postseason games with Boston, going 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA (2 ER/14.0 IP).

The Red Sox announced some roster moves after today’s  game. LHP Felix Doubront and catcher Mark Wagner were optioned to Class AAA Pawtucket and infielder Gil Velazquez was reassigned to the minor league camp. The Sox now have 43 players in camp.