NEW YORK — The Boston Red Sox are making a change with Walker Buehler, reassigning the pitcher from his starting role to the bullpen.
“This will be his revised assignment,” explained manager Alex Cora Friday, ahead of the Red Sox’s ongoing four-game series against the Yankees. “We’re still evaluating the specifics, whether it involves a single inning or multiple innings. The details remain to be determined.”
Buehler’s upcoming pitching opportunity was scheduled for the start of a four-game series in Baltimore next Monday. The Red Sox have not yet declared who will be taking over his spot in the rotation. Right-hander Richard Fitts, already part of the Red Sox roster, and left-hander Kyle Harrison, currently at Triple A following the Rafael Devers trade, are potential choices.
“It’s understandably disappointing,” Buehler commented. “It marks the first instance in my professional career where I’ve faced such a situation, but ultimately, the organization, and to some extent, I myself, believe it’s probably the best course of action for the team, and it provides me with a chance to, in a way, start anew.”
In his inaugural season with the Red Sox, after a seven-year stint with the Dodgers, Buehler has a record of 7-7 with a 5.40 ERA across 22 starts, and has conceded a career-high of 21 home runs. He initially showcased a 4-1 record with a 4.28 ERA in his initial six starts, but his performance declined to 3-6 with a 6.37 ERA over his subsequent 16 appearances. He also experienced a two-week absence in May due to bursitis in his pitching shoulder.
“He’s displayed considerable frustration with his pitching performance,” Cora noted. “I maintain my confidence in him. He remains a crucial element in our team’s objectives.”
Buehler’s most recent start was in Wednesday’s 11-inning defeat against the Orioles, where he allowed two runs in four innings, throwing a total of 75 pitches. This marked the ninth occasion this season where he didn’t complete five innings.
Following the game, he didn’t criticize Cora for the prompt substitution.
“At some juncture, the leeway I’m granted has been earned,” he mentioned to reporters. “I believe they acted appropriately in removing me before the [Gunnar] Henderson at-bat. Our bullpen has performed exceptionally. Personally, I feel everything proceeded as expected until the fifth inning. Then came a double, followed by a four-pitch walk. Considering my recent pitching form, it all seems reasonable.”
Buehler also recorded 54 walks in 110 innings this season, resulting in a career-high of 4.4 walks per nine innings.
The Red Sox secured Buehler with a one-year, $21.05 million contract in December. The agreement includes an additional $2.5 million linked to performance-based incentives. The Red Sox also furnished Buehler with a $3.05 million signing bonus and incorporates a $25 million mutual option for 2026, coupled with a $3 million buyout.
Buehler’s record stood at 1-6 with a 5.38 ERA, pitching 75⅓ innings during the 2024 regular season for the Dodgers, subsequent to missing the entirety of 2023 while recovering from Tommy John surgery. He contributed to the Dodgers’ triumph in securing their second championship since 1988, posting a 1-1 record with a 3.60 ERA and delivering a flawless ninth for the save in Game 5 of the World Series against the Yankees.
Buehler’s prior experience as a relief pitcher was limited to eight appearances during his rookie year in 2017. His most recent appearance as a relief pitcher was on June 28, 2018, where he conceded a run in five innings, following a period of absence due to a rib injury.
A two-time All-Star in 2019 and 2021, Buehler holds a record of 54-29 across 153 appearances. He secured fourth place in the National League Cy Young Award voting in 2021, after achieving a 16-4 record with a 2.47 ERA in 33 starts, during which he pitched 207⅔ innings.
Information sourced from The Associated Press contributed to this report.
