[EmpireWF]

Red Sox relief prospect Craig Hansen struggled in the minors for most of 2007. Some in the organization believed sleep apnea contributed to his struggles. Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell said, "I have to believe that day-to-day functions, if you’re not getting sound sleep throughout the night, it’s going to cause fatigue," Farrell said.

Hansen has had surgery in an attempt to fix the sleep apnea.

Hansen was drafted in the first round a few years ago and is considered one of the better relief pitching prospects in Boston's system.

Timlin’s return is relief to Delcarmen | Boston Red Sox | projo.com | The Providence Journal