Rubby De La Rosa and Brandon Workman likely have started their final games for the Boston Red Sox this season.
Red Sox manager John Farrell detailed his expected starting rotation for Boston’s final six games before Sunday’s series finale against the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards. Steven Wright is expected to start in De La Rosa’s place Friday against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park. Workman is not among the Red Sox’s upcoming probables.
Clay Buchholz, Anthony Ranaudo and Allen Webster will start the Red Sox’s three games against the Tampa Bay Rays beginning Tuesday. (Monday is an off day.) Wright, Joe Kelly and Buchholz — in that order — then will close out the season next weekend against the Yankees.
De La Rosa lasted only four innings Saturday against the Orioles. He’s gone less than five innings in five of his last seven starts, during which his ERA has soared from 3.21 to 4.50. He owns a 7.16 ERA since Aug. 16.
“As much as we want to continue to start him and not shut him down, he’s at an innings threshold that’s been a sizeable jump from last year,” Red Sox manager John Farrell said. “There’s been some extremely positive signs inside of a year’s work and yet there’s still quite a bit of development left to do.”
Workman has lost his last 10 decisions, dropping his record to 1-10. The 26-year-old hasn’t won a game since June 10, and his ERA has gone from 2.86 to 5.17 in that 12-start stretch.
Wright has a 3.38 ERA with 18 strikeouts and just two walks over five relief appearances spanning 16 innings. The 30-year-old knuckleballer started 15 games with Triple-A Pawtucket this season, posting a 5-5 record and 3.41 ERA.
Both De La Rosa and Workman could be available out of the bullpen over the final week.
