The Boston Red Sox’s starting rotation is about to get a lot more interesting.
Eduardo Rodriguez is set to make a rehab start for Triple-A Pawtucket on Tuesday, representing a return to schedule for the 23-year-old left-hander, who began the season on the disabled list after dislocating his left knee in spring training. If all goes well, Rodriguez could return to the big league club within the next week or two.
But will there be a spot for him in the Red Sox’s rotation? Joe Kelly made a splash Saturday in his return to the starting staff, taking a no-hitter into the seventh inning in Boston’s 9-1 win. Assuming that’s good enough to earn him a permanent role, the Red Sox’s rotation currently reads as follows:
1. David Price
2. Steven Wright
3. Clay Buchholz
4. Joe Kelly
5. Rick Porcello
Price hasn’t gotten off to the best start, but he’s the team’s ace. Kelly is coming off a strong outing, Porcello owns a team-best 7-2 record and Wright arguably has been the Red Sox’s best pitcher.
Which leads us to Buchholz.
The 31-year-old right-hander hasn’t been able to get off the ground in 2016. He has allowed five runs in five of his nine starts this season, and he owns a 5.92 ERA, the fifth-worst mark in the American League among qualified starters. Buchholz has had brief moments of success, but those have been overshadowed by costlier mistakes that have resulted in Boston losing six of the nine games he has started this season.
“It’s in-game execution,” Red Sox manager John Farrell said matter-of-factly before Sunday’s game when asked what he’s looking for in Buchholz. “This isn’t a matter of stuff. It’s execution, particularly with location.”
Put the pieces together, and there’s one logical choice: Bump Buchholz, the team’s least effective starter, from the rotation to make room for Rodriguez once he returns. The question, of course, is if the Red Sox actually would be willing to send Buchholz to Pawtucket, a drastic step for a player who is three years removed from an All-Star campaign in 2013 and is in his 10th season with Boston.
There also are other less radical options. With Carson Smith expected to miss the season to undergo Tommy John surgery, the Red Sox could send Rodriguez, Kelly or even Wright to the bullpen to shore up Boston’s back end. They also could skip one of Buchholz’s starts to allow Rodriguez to make his debut, then make a decision after that based on his performance.
As it stands now, the latter option seems like the best course of action. Buchholz could benefit from some time off to hit the reset button, while Rodriguez deserves the chance to improve on the success he found in his 10-win rookie campaign. And if things go awry for Rodriguez, Kelly or another of Boston’s starters, Buchholz will be waiting in the wings to provide support.
Starting pitching hasn’t been the Red Sox’s strong suit through the first 44 games. But help is on the way, and a rotation shakeup could be what this team needs to get its arms back on track.
Thumbnail photo via Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports Images
