Justin Masterson’s first rehab start with Triple-A Pawtucket didn’t deviate too much from his first seven major league starts with the Boston Red Sox.
Masterson, working under a pitch count, threw 50 pitches Sunday for the PawSox before being lifted with two outs in the second inning. The right-hander allowed three runs (two earned) on two hits and three walks in what was a shaky first step toward returning from the 15-day disabled list.
“The first inning, I felt tremendous,” Masterson said, according to the Providence Journal’s Brian MacPherson. “The second inning, physically, I felt good, but mechanically, not so much — rushing, drifting, everything was going out. Everything started getting behind. I was yanking sinkers. Up until that point, it was great.”
Masterson, who posted a 6.37 ERA and a 1.67 WHP with Boston before landing on the DL on May 14, struck out two in his 1 2/3 frames. The 30-year-old, whose velocity has been an issue dating back to last season, touched 92 mph in the first inning, according to MacPherson, before sitting around 87 mph in the second inning.
“I don’t even know what the velocity was, but I wasn’t behind it, so I ended up getting on the side of the ball and not being able to drive it as I was in the first inning,” Masterson said. “That’s what was disappointing.”
Masterson’s velocity might never return to its peak levels. Instead, he must learn to effectively pitch in the mid- to high-80s. While there were points this season when Masterson worked OK under the constraints, in large because of a good-looking slider, there were other times when he simply couldn’t retire hitters.
It’s unclear when Masterson will return to the Red Sox or what his role will be moving forward. Boston currently is working with a six-man rotation in the wake of Eduardo Rodriguez’s strong major league debut. But Masterson definitely will need to show more than he did Sunday to elicit confidence.
Masterson told MacPherson he expects his next rehab start to come with Double-A Portland.
Thumbnail photo via Jonathan Dyer/USA TODAY Sports Images
