How Craig Breslow Explained Red Sox Releasing Walker Buehler
'Really tough decision'
Craig Breslow addressed the Boston Red Sox’s decision to part ways with Walker Buehler.
Boston released Buehler on Friday when promoting Payton Tolle to make his MLB debut against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Buehler, who signed a one-year, $21.05 million deal last offseason, leaves the team with a 5.45 ERA and 1.56 WHIP in 112 1/3 innings.
Before Friday’s game, via WEEI, Breslow discussed the team’s difficult choice. Boston’s chief baseball officer started by explaining why they brought the two-time All-Star on board after he returned from Tommy John surgery to record the final out of the 2024 World Series.
“Really, really tough decision,” Breslow said. “This is a guy who’s been a really good starting pitcher in this league for a long time. He’s struggled to stay on the field with injuries, but we felt like he could give a boost to our rotation. When it became clear that there would be a better opportunity for him to contribute from the pen, we made that move.”
Boston recently removed Buehler from the starting rotation, but he only made one appearance as a reliever before Friday’s release. The 31-year-old allowed two runs over 2 1/3 innings in Sunday’s 7-2 loss to the New York Yankees.
Breslow said the Red Sox planned to give Buehler a longer look in the new role. However, Richard Fitts going on the injured list with a right arm neuritis prompted him to promote Tolle, who wasn’t on the 40-man roster.
“Our hope and our expectation was we were gonna be able to provide enough runway to give him a chance to settle in and transition into that role and contribute down the stretch and get some meaningful outs for us. But circumstances changed,” Breslow said.
“We had some injuries with Fitts, and losing that length piece in the pen. And needing a starter tonight, it just felt like this was what was best for the team at this point.”
Per WEEI’s Tom Carroll, Breslow explained why they released Buehler instead of designating him for assignment. He’s now immediately able to sign elsewhere.
“Just trying to be mindful and respectful of who he is and what he’s accomplished,” Breslow said, “and felt like that was the fairest way to treat him at this point.”
