Red Sox demote Walker Buehler to bullpen, Alex Cora confirms

The Boston Red Sox have made a big pitching change as the playoff race gets intense. Veteran right-hander Walker Buehler is headed to the bullpen for the rest of the season.

Manager Alex Cora made the call as Boston fights to hang onto an American League wild-card spot. The team’s starting rotation just hasn’t found its groove, and Buehler, once an ace and All-Star, has struggled to bounce back after his second Tommy John surgery.

Walker Buehler’s Rough 2024 Season

The Red Sox signed Buehler to a one-year, $21.05 million deal, hoping he’d anchor their rotation. Instead, he’s still searching for his rhythm.

In 22 starts, Buehler has a 5.40 ERA over 110 innings, with 82 strikeouts and 54 walks. His strikeouts per nine innings (6.7) are the lowest of his career, and his walks (4.4 per nine) are the highest he’s ever put up.

He’s been all over the place. Sure, there were a few promising outings—like the ones against the Phillies and Padres—but those got lost in the mess of rough starts, including a disastrous June game against the Yankees where he gave up seven runs in just two innings. Buehler called that one “embarrassing.”

Impact of Injury Comeback

Buehler’s drop-off is pretty clearly tied to his health. He missed all of 2023 after his second Tommy John surgery and came into 2024 with a lot of question marks about his durability.

Regaining velocity and command after surgery takes time. For Buehler, that process just isn’t finished yet, at least not this season.

Boston’s Playoff Push and Rotation Shake-Up

The Red Sox are right in the thick of the AL wild-card race, sitting in the No. 2 spot. Every game feels like it matters more than the last.

With the team needing stronger starts down the stretch, Cora decided to move Buehler into a relief role. Maybe shorter outings will help him regain some confidence.

Potential Rotation Replacements

Now, two young arms are stepping up to fill the gap:

• Richard Fitts – He’s a promising prospect with solid minor league numbers, known for throwing strikes and keeping his cool on the mound.
• Kyle Harrison – A lefty with big-league experience, giving Boston a different look in the rotation.

Both pitchers are about to be under the microscope as the Red Sox try to keep their momentum going against other postseason hopefuls.

Buehler’s Mindset Moving Forward

To his credit, Buehler has taken the move in stride. He’s said he’ll “embrace the bullpen role” for the rest of the year and is already looking ahead to the offseason as a chance to reset and rebuild his status as a starter.

For Boston, moving him to the bullpen could pay off. His fastball might tick up in shorter stints, and keeping his innings down should help protect his arm. If he adapts quickly, maybe he becomes a real weapon out of the pen come October.

A High-Stakes Experiment

It’s a gamble, no doubt. Boston hopes less pressure as a reliever will help Buehler find his command, while the young guys get a shot to prove themselves as starters.

If neither plan pans out, though, the Red Sox could see their postseason hopes slip away. That’s just the reality of high-stakes baseball in September.

Final Thoughts

This season, the Red Sox are banking on agility and adaptability. Walker Buehler’s move to the bullpen really says a lot about both his rough patch and Boston’s strategy to squeeze out every chance they have down the stretch.

Will this change spark something in Buehler’s career, or is it just a brief detour? Guess we’ll find out soon enough as October creeps closer and everyone’s eyes lock onto Boston’s playoff chase.

 
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