Once viewed as a veteran starting pitcher who would help the Red Sox in their pursuit of meaningful late-season baseball, right-hander Walker Buehler won’t be in Boston to see it.
The Red Sox released Buehler eight months after they signed him to a one-year, $21 million offer, the team announced Friday afternoon before opening a three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
A two-time MLB All-Star, Buehler began the season as the No. 3 starter in Boston’s rotation behind left-handed ace Garrett Crochet and right-hander Tanner Houck. Houck was placed on the injured list with a right flexor pronator strain on May 13, which figured to open the door for Buehler to cement himself as a leading-of-rotation complement for the lefty Crochet.
Unfortunately for both the two-time World Series champion and the Red Sox, Buehler failed to deliver on those expectations.
Buehler went 7-7 with a 5.40 ERA in 22 starts for the Red Sox this season. He surpassed six innings pitched in eight of those 22 starts and Boston was 12-10 in those games.
Buehler’s struggles prompted manager Alex Cora to demote him to the bullpen last week. While a change wasn’t unexpected — and was a move Buehler understood — he responded by allowing two runs on two hits in 2.1 innings at Yankee Stadium.
That outing marked his final appearance for the Red Sox, who opted not to use Buehler in any of its four games against the Orioles this week. Boston swept the four-game series with three of those wins coming by one run — situations where Cora notably didn’t use Buehler.
In other roster moves Friday, the Red Sox selected left-handed pitcher Payton Tolle from Triple-A Worcester, recalled infielder/outfielder Nick Sogard and optioned outfielder Jhostynxon Garcia.
Tolle, the No. 2 prospect in the Red Sox farm system, will make his MLB debut opposite Pirates ace Paul Skenes at Fenway Park on Friday night.
About the Author
