The Red Sox have decided to shift Walker Buehler to the bullpen.
Manager Alex Cora revealed on Friday that the 31-year-old would be taking on this new role for the time being.
“Yeah, he’s going to the bullpen,” Cora informed reporters ahead of Friday’s matchup with the Yankees. “I spoke with him last night about what this would mean. We understand it could be one inning, possibly more. We’re still figuring it out.”
Despite the adjustment, Cora expressed his continued belief in Buehler, saying they need him to contribute.
“I still have faith in him,” Cora noted. “He plays a significant role in our goals… Hopefully, he can reset, get back out there, hit the strike zone, simplify his approach, and help us win games.”
Cora hasn’t yet announced who will start on Monday against the Orioles, the game that Buehler was originally scheduled to pitch.
Buehler’s demotion comes after several promising seasons with the Red Sox, during which he managed to achieve a 7-7 record and a 5.40 ERA so far in 2022.
In his most recent two outings, he walked eight batters and allowed six runs on eight hits.
When discussing the move, the two-time All-Star acknowledged it was for the best interest of the team and mentioned that he’s “trying to embrace” this change.
“The organization sees it as a reset for me, which I think is fair given the situation,” Buehler said to the media. “I believe this is what’s right for the team right now. I’ll do my best to adapt over the next few months.”
Having signed a one-year contract worth $21.05 million with the Red Sox last December, Buehler candidly reflected on his season, admitting his performance has been underwhelming.
“It’s tough to label these last two outings as victories,” he remarked.
