BOSTON — Justin Masterson’s first bullpen stint of 2015 didn’t last long.
Masterson will start in Joe Kelly’s place Sunday against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field, according to Red Sox manager John Farrell. The club optioned Kelly to Triple-A Pawtucket before Thursday’s game against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park.
Masterson recently rejoined the Red Sox as a reliever after a stint on the 15-day disabled list. He made four rehab starts between Pawtucket and Double-A Portland, but there initially wasn’t a spot available in the Red Sox’s rotation with Eduardo Rodriguez pitching so well in Masterson’s absence.
However, Kelly’s struggles continued in his last start Tuesday against the O’s. The Red Sox thus mulled over their options and decided to demote Kelly rather than shift him into the major league bullpen. Kelly threw a bullpen session Thursday and will remain a starter at Pawtucket. He’s scheduled to pitch Sunday for the PawSox.
“This centers around consistent command of the baseball and his pitches. It’s certainly not stuff. It’s not athleticism,” Farrell said Thursday of Kelly’s demotion. “The frustrating part of this for Joe and for all involved is when you see an athlete of his ability and it doesn’t translate to the consistent command of pitches. That is what is continually being addressed.
“We felt like the uncertainty of pitching schedule coming out of the bullpen, he’d be best-served to achieve this through consistent work in between starts and starting at Pawtucket.”
It remains to be seen whether Masterson will stick in the Red Sox’s rotation beyond Sunday. Brian Johnson has pitched well for Pawtucket all season and could be a candidate for a call-up, though he wasn’t an option for Sunday because he pitched Thursday night for the PawSox.
“He’s been throwing the ball well all year,” Farrell said of Johnson. “There wasn’t a thought going in, because if we were going to make a move coming out of Joe’s start, it was going to be with Justin first.
“We’ll see where we go from there. But Brian’s doing a heck of a job. He’s been consistent at Pawtucket. When that opportunity presents itself remains to be seen. With each passing start, he’s getting closer.”
Kelly’s demotion comes on the heels of him posting a 5.67 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP in his first 14 starts of 2015. The 27-year-old has the potential to be a solid major league pitcher, though there are questions about whether his long-term future resides in the bullpen. It just hasn’t all come together yet.
“Throwing your bullpen is one thing,” Farrell said. “In the heat of the moment is a completely different story. And that’s where the control of the emotion (is important) and sometimes when the effort spikes, a guy comes out of his delivery a little bit and that’s where the mislocated pitches come into play.
“That’s the area that we continually address.”
Masterson struggled in seven starts earlier this season, posting a 6.37 ERA and a 1.67 WHIP. He might need to pitch very well Sunday to retain a spot in the Red Sox’s rotation, but he at least has an opportunity with Kelly out of the mix.
Thumbnail photo via Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports Images
