The Boston Red Sox designated reliever Daniel Bard for assignment Sunday, reports WEEI.com's Alex Speier.
Red Sox designate Daniel Bard for assignment
Bard, a former top prospect, melted down after a stint in the rotation in 2012 and has suffered through ineffectiveness and injury in his 2013 campaign.
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The move was done as part of September call-ups. Boston brought three men up from the minor leagues as rosters expanded, including Quintin Berry, who had recently been acquired in a trade with the Royals. Berry was not on the 40-man roster and a spot needed to be cleared for him to play in the majors. As part of the DFA, Bard is removed from the 40-man.
Bard, 29, is a former top prospect who really took off after being moved to the bullpen in the minors in 2008. He was called up to the majors in 2009 and pitched well in relief, with a 3.65 ERA in 49 appearances. In 2010, Bard established himself as the possible closer of the future for the Red Sox when he posted a 1.93 ERA and 1.00 WHIP while pitching in 73 games.
Bard was once again excellent in 2011, but fell apart in 2012. Boston attempted to move him back into a starting role, leading to a 6.22 ERA and awful strikeout and walk numbers as he made 10 starts in 17 appearances. He pitched in just two games this season for the Red Sox, but threw mostly for Double-A Portland before an Abdominal Strain put him on the DL. Ten walks over 2⅓ innings in Bard’s latest rehab appearance appears to have been the tipping point for the Red Sox.
The Red Sox now must place Bard on waivers, trade him or release him.
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