So, you’re saying there’s a chance? That’s where things stand with the Red Sox this week as they weigh the future of the pitching rotation and, specifically, whether to give flailing starter Walker Buehler another go.
Given the fact that, in his last three starts, Buehler has gone just 11.1 total innings with some horrendously unsightly numbers–14 walks, 17 hits, four homers, 13.50 ERA–Boston manager Alex Cora has decided, it seems, that things can’t possibly get any worse. Or, perhaps, he is just not thrilled with his other options in the Red Sox’s injury-ravaged rotation.
Either way, as Chris Cotillo of MassLive reports, Cora will give Buehler another crack at a starting assignment, though it could be his final go-round in the short term if he struggles.
“He’s scheduled to make his next one,“ Cora said. ”He’s healthy, eager to work and like I said yesterday, he feels like he’s getting close to finding it.”
Walker Buehler Struggling for Past Month
Buehler, a two-time All-Star, was signed to a one-year, make-good contract last winter for $21 million, with the hopes that he could bounce back after a wild 2024 that saw him fight through injuries and, eventually, excel in L.A.’s World Series drive. But despite showing the occasional flash, Buehler has seen the wheels fall off lately.
He was out with a bout of bursitis in May, and came back from that with two promising outings before struggling over the past month.
Cora held out hope that, in his last two starts, Buehler has had a tough first inning but settled in from there.
“I don’t think it’s mechanics,” Cora said. “He talked about his arm angle, differently than in the past. Yeah, it should be different a little bit because of everything he has been going through. But I think they’re doing a good job trying to clean that up and yesterday for 2 ½ innings, we saw the guy we envisioned.
“I think his stuff is still good. We just have to finish. With two strikes, we cannot walk guys, especially the eighth or ninth hitter. We’re on the same page. We are close. We’ve seen glimpses the last two starts.”
Red Sox Have Limited Options in the Rotation
Part of Cora’s equanimity toward Buehler, though, may be based less on empathy and more on necessity. The Red Sox could have options to replace Buehler when the likes of Tanner Houck, Hunter Dobbins and Kyle Harrison are ready to join the team, but none is quite there yet.
Harrison, acquired from the Giants in the Rafael Devers trade, has made one start for Triple-A Worcester, and it did not go well–4.0 innings, eight hits, four runs–but he might be the most ready to take the mound.
Houck has been a disaster in his attempt to return from an arm injury, giving up nine runs in 6.1 innings. Dobbins, meanwhile, is out with an elbow injury and won’t begin a rehab assignment until this weekend.
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