Red Sox – Daniel Bard to Bullpen for Now

The Boston Red Sox have many problems. Injuries and perhaps some internal strife have taken their toll. However, chief among the Red Sox many issues is a bullpen in need of someone who can get somebody out. It just so happens that their bullpen is the worst in the major leagues.

Daniel Bard made the change this year from working out bullpen to the starting rotation.

Boston manager Bobby Valentine told reporters that Daniel Bard was going to be taking out of the starting rotation to help with a battered bullpen. The move is supposedly temporary. Bard was scheduled to pitch Sunday night against the Yankees, and the game was postponed due to rain. Earlier this season one of our readers mentioned that the Red Sox would go out and buy some help for their bullpen.

At the time I mentioned, that they would eventually get Daniel Bard back to the bullpen. Again while this move is supposedly temporary, it’s gonna be really hard to move him back to the rotation, especially if he has some success. And he will likely have success.

There is a big difference between pitching the front end of the game, starting, and throwing for an inning or two at the backend. Bard seems to be comfortable in that role and while he may find his way back to being a starter, he seems to thrive at the back end of games.  Alfredo Aceves (24.00 ERA, two blown saves) has mostly failed to make Red Sox fans forget Jonathan Papelbon.

Red Sox News:  outfielder Marlon Byrd was acquired in a trade with the Chicago Cubs on Saturday and is expected to join the Red Sox in Minnesota. Jason Repko who replaced Jacoby Ellsbury and Satterfield was added to the 15 day disabled list.