Red Sox Send Bard to the Bullpen
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John Williamson/MLB Photos via Getty Images(NEW YORK) — Red Sox pitcher Daniel Bard is moving back to the bullpen…kind of. The 26-year-old fireballer, who spent his first three seasons in the majors coming out of the pen, will be available to pitch in relief situations for the early part of the week.
“I’d like to use him if we have a lead in the eighth inning just as he’s been comfortable doing in the past,” Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine said. “I don’t think it’s an easy job. It should be acceptable physically.”
Bard was initially set to start Boston’s Sunday night game versus the Yankees before it was postponed due to rain. Valentine said he wanted pitchers John Lester and Josh Beckett pitching close to their regular routines. With Bard moving to the pen, both Beckett and Lester will pitch with only one extra day of rest.
All this being said, Valentine has Bard scheduled to start Friday against the White Sox.
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