Red Sox Look to Bolster Bullpen

Added on May 05, 2011 by Scott in

MLB

Hours after losing a 13-inning marathon to the Angels, the Red Sox have made moves to strengthen their bullpen. Both Bobby Jenks and Dan Wheeler have been shipped to the 15-day disabled list. Jenks has a strained biceps, while Wheeler is dealing with a bad calf. To fill the roster spots, right-hander Scott Atchison and left-hander Rich Hill have been recalled from the minors.

Jenks and Wheeler could both use a break. Neither reliever is off to a good start in 2011. Jenks has allowed 13 hits, issued nine walks, three wild pitches and amassed a putrid 9.35 ERA in only 8 2/3 innings. Wheeler has been even worse, yielding four home runs, an opposing batting average of .375 and a brutal 11.32 ERA in eleven appearances.

Manager Terry Francona doesn’t believe the injuries to be serious, although it’s fair to assume the Red Sox won’t miss either pitcher as poorly as they’ve looked.

Jenks, who inked a $12 million, two-year deal with Boston prior to the season, was expected to be the main closer after accumulating 173 saves in five seasons with the White Sox. The 33-year-old Wheeler is also new to Boston’s bullpen after spending three up and down years with the Rays.

The hope is Atchison and Hill can provide a much-needed boost. Both have been lights-out at Triple-A Pawtucket. The dynamic duo have combined to strike out 35 batters and given up only four runs in 33 1/3 total innings. In addition, Hill will give the bullpen another southpaw for Francona to utilize.

Through the first 30 games, Boston is ranked 9th in the American League in team pitching and have converted five saves, which is tied for second-worst.

A 1-7 start had many baseball pundits and Red Sox fans firing up the doomsday machine, but a mid-April surge helped pull them from the abyss. They’ve gone 13-9 since April 10th and currently sit four games behind the AL East-leading Yankees.

Source: CBSSports.com