Fastball

Boston Red Sox Announce Major Shakeup to Starting Rotation

The Boston Red Sox are moving starting pitcher Corey Kluber to the bullpen, where he hasn't pitched in more than 10 years.

Brady Farkas

Boston Red Sox Announce Major Shakeup to Starting Rotation
Boston Red Sox Announce Major Shakeup to Starting Rotation /
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The Boston Red Sox and manager Alex Cora have made the shocking decision to send Corey Kluber to the bullpen.

As Garrett Whitlock readies for a return to the rotation, Kluber is being demoted. He's the second Red Sox starter in an as many weeks to head to the 'pen, as Nick Pivetta was sent there recently in favor of James Paxton.

Tyler Milliken of 98.5 The Sports Hub in Boston had the tweet:

Alex Cora has announced that Corey Kluber will be moved to the bullpen and Tanner Houck will keep his spot in the rotation. This is the right move for now and the future. Houck made a statement on Monday. He deserved to be rewarded.

The move may not be "shocking" to some since Kluber has really struggled this year. After lasting just 2.1 innings on Sunday against the Padres, Kluber is now 2-6 with an ERA of 6.26.

It is shocking, however, to see a multi-time Cy Young winner sent to the bullpen. We opined recently that Kluber would be sent to the injured list to get a physical and mental reset. 

Rob Bradford of WEEI in Boston says that Kluber hasn't appeared in the bullpen for more than 10 years.

He is a three-time All-Star selection who won the American League Cy Young award in 2014 and 2017. He's led the league in wins twice and in ERA in 2017 (2.25).

The Red Sox have now lost three straight games and will finish out a series with the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday at 9:38 p.m. ET.

Paxton will pitch for Boston against Tyler Anderson.

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Brady Farkas
BRADY FARKAS

Brady Farkas is a baseball writer for Fastball on Sports Illustrated/FanNation and the host of 'The Payoff Pitch' podcast which can be found on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Videos on baseball also posted to YouTube. Brady has spent nearly a decade in sports talk radio and is a graduate of Oswego State University. You can follow him on Twitter @WDEVRadioBrady. 

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