Boston Red Sox send Clay Buchholz to the bullpen

May 26, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Clay Buchholz (11) watches as Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story (27) rounds the bases after hitting a two run homer in the fifth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
May 26, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Clay Buchholz (11) watches as Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story (27) rounds the bases after hitting a two run homer in the fifth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Boston Red Sox will be making a major change to their starting rotation, as Clay Buchholz will be heading to the bullpen.

It has not been a good season for Clay Buchholz of the Boston Red Sox and with the return of Eduardo Rodriguez, a space needed to be made in the rotation. This season, Buchholz has totaled a 2-5 record, 6.35 ERA, and 1.46 WHIP, and with the struggles, the veteran will be heading to the bullpen now.

The decision to move Buchholz to the bullpen is a no-brainer for the Red Sox, as they have high hopes for Rodriguez. Last season, the 23-year-old left-hander had a very good season, as he totaled a 10-6 record, 3.85 ERA, and 1.29 WHIP. Rodriguez is coming back from a knee injury that he suffered in spring training, and he will look to pick up where he left off last season.

Buchholz was projected to be in the Red Sox’s starting rotation all season, but the great pitching that knuckleballer Steven Wright has had this season filling in for Rodriguez has earned him a spot in the rotation.

For Buchholz, this is the latest sign of inconsistency, which has plagued him throughout his career with the Red Sox. Buchholz has had a few remarkable seasons in his career, as in 2013 he totaled a 12-1 record with a 1.74 ERA. Unfortunately, he followed that great season up in 2014 with an 8-11 record and 5.34 ERA.

The Red Sox have the expectations to compete this season, and they can’t afford to be giving away games that Buchholz is starting with the hope that he pitches to his potential. The move to the bullpen might be a blessing in disguise for Buchholz as this could be a wake-up call for a very inconsistent pitcher.

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