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The Boston Red Sox have had reason for optimism in the wake of the blockbuster Rafael Devers trade, though Monday’s matchup with the Los Angeles Angels marked a step back.
The team had gone 12-7 in the month of June going into that game, but a harsh performance from pitcher Walker Buehler offered a reminder of the roster’s shortcomings.
“I feel like a broken record. It’s embarrassing,” Buehler said after giving up five earned runs in just four innings against the Angels, per Sean McAdam of MassLive. “Somehow this year, I’ve managed to do all the negative things you can. We’ll keep working, but obviously, it’s just tough to let down our team.”
Buehler, who was an All-Star in 2019 and 2021, joined the Red Sox on a one-year, $21 million deal to serve as a dependable rotation arm alongside Garrett Crochet. Instead, he’s logged a 6.29 ERA in 13 starts so far this season as the Red Sox struggle to find a reliable starter outside of their ace.
The team recently placed Hunter Dobbins on the injured list and Tanner Houck is working through some rehab starts before he’d be ready to re-join the rotation. In the meantime, it seems like Buehler will have to fight through his struggles.
Manager Alex Cora told McAdam that Buehler is “one hundred percent” healthy and said he’d be “ready for the next” start. But Buehler hinted that he could actually be fighting through an injury.
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“I don’t want to talk about that,” Buehler said when asked if he was pitching through any physical issues.
Offering that response, rather than a clear “no,” opened the door that Buehler could be pitching through some pain. But whatever the cause of his struggles on the mound, the Red Sox will need him to figure out a solution if they’re going to succeed in the wake of losing Devers.
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Peter Chawaga is a veteran journalist covering Major League Baseball for The Sporting News. His MLB reporting has included feature interviews with commissioner Rob Manfred and Hall of Fame slugger David Ortiz, salary analysis, player rankings and more. He has covered baseball for Forbes, Yardbarker, Pitcher List, Athlon and other outlets.
With over ten years of newsroom experience, he has previously covered finance, technology, arts, and culture for newspapers, magazines, and websites nationwide. He graduated from Wake Forest University with a degree in English and journalism.
English (US)