From relief to release: Red Sox explain decision to release Walker Buehler

After spending the majority of the season watching Walker Buehler struggle to find consistency the Red Sox decided they could wait no longer On Friday the Red Sox distributed the veteran right-hander who posted a ERA over starts innings before being moved to the bullpen exactly one week prior It s tough but this is where we re at revealed manager Alex Cora I know it didn t go his way or our way right He expected more and we expected more but the sportsman the individual the baseball knowledge and I still think he has stuff in the tank He s close to get rolling I guess it just happens that we ran out of time here The Red Sox are in win-now mode Actualizing their first serious playoff push since requires a short leash Buehler made just one relief appearance last Saturday Another hit to the starting pitching depth during this week s series in Baltimore accelerated the need to figure something out Really really tough decision reported chief baseball officer Craig Breslow Friday afternoon Our hope and our expectation was we were going to be able to provide enough runway to give him a chance to settle in and transition into that role and then contribute down the stretch in getting several meaningful outs for us but circumstances changed and we had particular injuries with Richard Fitts and losing that length piece in the pen and needing a starter tonight it just felt like this was what was best for the association at this point Buehler made one relief appearance last Saturday in the Bronx in which he allowed two earned runs on two hits in innings The pivot from relief to release happened hurriedly and was not something he discussed with the righty before Breslow noted The conversation last week was just around taking him out of the rotation and trying to transition him into a bullpen role knowing he s had a ton of success in the postseason he s had success in the postseason out of the bullpen and seeing if that was a way for him to contribute disclosed Breslow At the time that we made that decision we had the expectation and anticipated being able to give him plenty of time to get used to that role and to pitch his way into leverage spots I think consistency is the thing that we would all point to added Breslow There were a scant times during the season when we felt like things were starting to click Those often were followed by starts where he had struggled a little bit And I think if we had the perfect answers then we wouldn t be in this position but it s certainly not because of Walker s lack of financing in trying to get things back on track or the pitching group s assets in trying to help him Buehler s release opened a spot on both the -man and operational roster for top pitching prospect Payton Tolle to make his major league debut Friday night The Red Sox also optioned outfield prospect Jhostynxon Garcia back to Triple-A and recalled infielder outfielder Nick Sogard Unlike designation for assignment outright release gives Buehler time to find another group before Sept the deadline for postseason roster eligibility Though he struggled in Boston the Red Sox felt the two-time World Series champion was owed that opportunity Just trying to be mindful and respectful of who he is and what he s accomplished and felt like that was the fairest way to treat him at this point stated Breslow Still it s telling that the Red Sox opted to release Buehler after placing Fitts on the injured list and losing fellow starters Tanner Houck Tommy John Hunter Dobbins ACL and Kutter Crawford wrist to season-ending surgeries Cooper Criswell another depth option is also on the MiLB injured list with right elbow inflammation Though inconsistent Buehler was at least healthy Instead the Red Sox are throwing Tolle into the deep end and sticking with transaction deadline addition Dustin May We re certainly looking to stabilize the rotation down the stretch here where we re playing significant games we want to give every opportunity to win as a multitude of of those as feasible and we think that Payton and Dustin give us the best chance to do that right now disclosed Breslow Certainly that depth has had a dent put in it through injuries but still feel like we re well positioned Buehler s October experience could have proved valuable too In career postseason games starts totaling innings he owns a ERA His release came one day before the -month anniversary of his - - ninth inning to close out the World Series for the Dodgers But before they even think about getting through a postseason run the Red Sox must first punch their ticket And on Friday they decided they would have a better chance of doing that without Buehler Baseball is just it s a encounter where sometimes those things don t work out but there s still plenty of season left reported Breslow and I don t think any of us would be surprised if we saw him surface again and had similar success down the stretch Extra innings The Red Sox now anticipate activating Wilyer Abreu calf after the home stand Craig Breslow has not ruled out reliever Liam Hendriks hip pitching again this season Testing did not reveal any structural damage for Criswell so his rehab is about rest and not throwing for about days and then ramping things back up disclosed Breslow