Red Sox's Heath Hembree: In position to make Opening Day roster

Hembree has a good shot of making Boston's roster for Opening Day due to being out of minor league options, Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe reports.

Analysis:

The Red Sox will have to keep Hembree on the roster all season or risk losing him if he's designated for assignment. The right-hander, who has a career 2.95 ERA over the last two seasons in a variety of roles for Boston, will almost surely be claimed if he pops up on waivers. Right-handed batters have hit .218 with a measly .634 OPS against Hembree since he broke into the majors with San Francisco in 2013. However, with the back end of the bullpen all set, the 28-year-old is looking at a multi-inning, middle-relief role. In that event, he'll need to be better against left-handers, who had an .890 OPS against him last season, up from .862 one campaign prior.