Justin Masterson was placed in the disabled list in mid-May because of fatigue and he's nearing his return to the Boston Red Sox. However, Eduardo Rodriguez and Steven Wright filled in during Masterson's absence and performed better. Is the right-hander on his way out of Boston?
Manager John Farrell was going with a six-man rotation for a little while, but decided on Sunday to move Wright back to the bullpen and keep starter Joe Kelly in the rotation. Now that order has been somewhat restored and the rotation has maintained an improved 3.75 ERA since pitching coach Carl Willis took over on May 10, there's a good chance Masterson is the odd man out.
"There are primarily three options: Return Masterson to the rotation, put him in the bullpen, or designate him for assignment," writes Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe.
"The Sox cut their rotation to five this week, putting Steven Wright in the bullpen. They seem set with a quintet of Clay Buchholz, Eduardo Rodriguez, Rick Porcello, Wade Miley, and Joe Kelly."
While Wright got bumped to the bullpen, his best value is perhaps as a middle reliever. As a knuckleballer, he can be utilized in many ways.
"Steven Wright would appear to represent the natural roster casualty once Justin Masterson is ready to return, a pitcher with options who could go back to Triple-A Pawtucket and pitch every five days until the Red Sox need a starter," writes Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal.
"But Wright gives Farrell a unique asset -- a pitcher who can pile up innings without needing the traditional number of days off."
Masterson was 2-2 with a 6.37 ERA and 1.67 WHIP in seven starts before being placed on the DL and his declining velocity is not helping his case whatsoever. He's made 65 appearances as a reliever in his career and owns a 4-4 record with a 3.01 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in those games, but it's unknown if the Red Sox trust him in that role after his struggles over the past two seasons.
They also faced a dilemma in designating him for assignment because he's still owed over $6 million.
"There's no way the Red Sox could feel comfortable inserting Masterson back into the rotation, even if the Toronto Blue Jays knock around Kelly on Friday night at Fenway Park," writes Ricky Doyle of NESN.com.
"It's hard to imagine the Red Sox suddenly would reverse course and place Kelly in the bullpen to open a spot for Masterson less than one week after Farrell suggested Kelly has the potential to be a 'dominant starter' for Boston."
Masterson will rejoin the Red Sox on Friday night and meet with Farrell to discuss what's next, but right now it doesn't look too good for the veteran right-hander.
