As many speculated after his rough outing Tuesday night, Justin Masterson will not make his next scheduled start for the Boston Red Sox.
Manager John Farrell told reporters Wednesday the right-hander will not pitch Sunday against the Seattle Mariners and likely is headed to the disabled list.
“We’re moving toward a likely DL for him,” Farrell said, as shown on “Red Sox First Pitch.” “After he went through a full exam and workup here (Wednesday) morning with the medical staff, there’s not one specific area for the arm or shoulder that is a cause or reason why we’re seeing a reduced velocity and reduced action, just some fatigue that’s involved. I think it’s important that we allow this to calm down, and we’re going to need to test it at full speed at some point in the near future here, but Sunday is out as far as Masterson is concerned.”
Though Farrell hasn’t yet named a replacement for Masterson, he said knuckeballer Steven Wright, who worked the final 5 2/3 innings of Tuesday’s 9-2 loss to the Oakland A’s, is a “strong candidate.”
Masterson lasted just 2 1/3 innings in the loss, allowing six runs on six hits, including two home runs.
“Clearly, he’s not right,” Farrell told reporters after the game.
Masterson now has an ERA of 6.37 through seven starts and has surrendered 10 runs in just 6 2/3 innings over his last two outings.
“If this were one start, that would be a different story,” said Farrell, who added that Masterson is understandably disappointed by the move. “But that fact that this has been two consecutive starts, we’ve got to address some things.”
If Masterson does indeed land on the DL, Farrell named reliever Robbie Ross Jr. as someone who could take over his spot on the 25-man roster. Ross has appeared in 13 games for the Red Sox this season, pitching 11 2/3 innings in relief and posting a 6.17 ERA. His eight runs allowed are the most of any Boston reliever this season.
Thumbnail photo via Bill Streicher/USA TODAY Sports Images
