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BOSTON — Rick Porcello will receive another start before the Major League Baseball All-Star break.
Red Sox manager John Farrell announced before Sunday’s game against the Houston Astros at Fenway Park that Porcello will start Wednesday against the Miami Marlins. Wade Miley will pitch Tuesday.
“Didn’t want (Porcello) to go two and a half to three weeks without being in a game situation,” Farrell said.
The Red Sox mulled over their options with Porcello, who is in the midst of a disappointing first season with Boston. With off-days scheduled for Monday and Thursday in the upcoming week, they could have pushed Porcello’s next start until after the break, giving him plenty of time to work on some things.
But that wasn’t ideal, according to Farrell. Not only would the layoff have been lengthy. But Porcello, who last started Wednesday against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre, also appears to be champing at the bit.
“He’s a strong competitor,” Farrell said. “He fully realizes the stretch he’s in and what we’re trying to do to get him to be consistent with his two-seamer and his curveball approach. But he does not want to sit on the side. You can throw all the bullpens you want and his bullpens have been quality. But it’s the in-game execution where that’s got to continue to be put forth.”
Porcello is 0-7 with an 8.18 ERA over his last eight starts. The return of veteran catcher Ryan Hanigan could help the right-hander, but it’s been a tumultuous stretch, to say the least.
Justin Masterson, who started Friday, will join the Red Sox’s bullpen, effective Tuesday, with Porcello receiving another start before the break. Clay Buchholz, Eduardo Rodriguez and Miley seemingly are in line to start the Red Sox’s three games against the New York Yankees next weekend.
The All-Star break begins Monday, July 13.
Thumbnail photo via Tommy Gilligan/USA TODAY Sports Images
