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In simplest terms, the Red Sox rotation has not been good. In more descriptive ones, parts of the Red Sox rotation have been unlucky (Clay Buchholz), other parts needed to change their game plan to get back on track (Rick Porcello, Wade Miley), some are better suited in relief (Joe Kelly) and Justin Masterson looks like he’s either hurt or done as an effective big league pitcher. While the latter looks more likely, the Sox are going to attempt to see if that’s the case by likely placing Masterson on the disabled list with fatigue. Even if he isn’t put on the DL, he won’t start Sunday against the Mariners, giving Boston’s rotation the first of what could be a couple of changes in 2015.
This needed to happen, as Masterson’s 2015 has left him as a less appealing option than an unproven, unpredictable knuckler who has spent most of his career in the high minors. That knuckler, Steven Wright, is in line to make Sunday’s start for Masterson, though the Sox haven’t officially handed it to him. He did relieve for 5 2/3 innings in place of Masterson on Tuesday, however, and the Sox probably aren’t quite ready to call up top pitching prospect Eduardo Rodriguez.
Masterson will get a chance to show he’s still got something besides mid-80s fastballs to offer during an eventual rehab assignment, but if his control and velocity are still lost after this break, he might never start for the Sox again. Wright could be a decent back-end arm, Rodriguez isn’t all that far off and neither is fellow Triple-A lefty Brian Johnson. Between the three of them, they could solve the back-end of Boston’s rotation, and if not, a summer trade might do the trick. Either way, it doesn’t look good for Masterson unless he’s suddenly throwing 93 again, and that seems unlikely.
- Reigning and defending AL Cy Young winner Corey Kluber has been lacking a bit on the defending part of that title early in 2015, but that all changed Wednesday night as he struck out 18 batters while allowing two baserunners, one on a hit by pitch.
- Leo Mazzone was a legend for his pitching coach work with the Braves, but he can’t get a job in baseball today.
- The Angels signed closer Huston Street to a very reasonable two-year, $18 million extension with an option for 2018.
- Jorge Posada doesn’t think PED users -- such as former World Series winning teammates Alex Rodriguez and Andy Pettitte -- deserve to be in the Hall of Fame. Maybe Posada just wants his career to have something in common with theirs.
- Speaking of the former Yankees’ backstop, he used to fart on umpires.
- Here are three reasons to trade Troy Tulowitzki, and 23 reasons not to.
- Steven Souza keeps on striking out, so how can he stop to give the Rays the bat they thought they were trading for when they sent Wil Myers packing to the Padres?
- Devin Mesoraco is the Reds’ catcher, but his injuries might change that. What of his career if he has to move to the outfield?
- Russell Wilson and the Seahawks are far apart on a contract extension, which matters to you, dear baseball reader, because his MLB career with the Rangers is his leverage in negotiations.
- Learn how to throw a two-seam fastball from Daniel Norris, who likely recorded this how-to video before he was demoted for not being able to locate his two-seamer.
- Here’s Hunter Pence in a tank top screaming at a dragon.
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