Felix Doubront is going to be shut down, but not entirely.
Bobby Valentine told reporters in Cleveland on Friday that the 24-year-old starter will be skipped over in the rotation for his next scheduled start, in favor of Aaron Cook. Doubront, who had been in line to start again against Baltimore, is expected to be available out of the bullpen if the Sox need him.
Doubront has pitched 122 2/3 innings this year, the most of his young career, and struggled to last deep into the game his last two times on the mound. On Thursday, Doubront imploded in the fifth inning of what ended up a 5-3 loss for the Red Sox, and the start before he received a no-decision after giving up five runs in five innings of work to the Minnesota Twins.
The move to pass over Doubront will afford the Red Sox some flexibility while they balance their six-man rotation, and will give the young lefty a chance to limit his workload.
