The Red Sox signed Corey Kluber back in December to be a regular mainstay in the rotation this season. The two-time Cy Young winner was named the club’s Opening Day starter and since has looked as if his best playing days are behind him.
After nine starts and an era north of six, the Red Sox are moving Kluber to the bullpen.
Alex Cora announced on WEEI’s Gresh and Fauria show Wednesday he plans to utilize the veteran in a relief capacity moving forward.
“We were waiting for Tanner (Houck) to see how he felt after his start,” Cora told WEEI. “We’re going to make a change. Actually, Tanner is going to start on Sunday and Corey is going to go to the bullpen, starting on Friday.”
Houck was outstanding in a losing effort on Monday night against the Angels. The right-hander allowed just one run on three hits while striking out eight.
Now that Houck has the assurance that he will remain in the rotation, he can continue to focus on his development as a starter. That development has seen struggles of its own, particularly facing the order the second (.369 batting average) and third time through (.313 batting average). Despite those struggles, Houck still presents the Red Sox a better alternative than Kluber.
“We talked about it in spring training. He’s going to pitch a lot of innings,” Cora said to reporters. “If it was [as] a reliever, a starter, we said he was going to pitch a lot of innings. Right now, he’s one of our best starters, forget the numbers,” said Cora following Houck’s start on Monday night.
He will remain in the mix with Chris Sale, Brayan Bello, James Paxton and Garrett Whitlock who will start on Saturday versus the Diamondbacks.
Kluber has been a tremendous disappointment after signing a one-year, $10 million pact this winter. He owns a 2-6 record while posting a 6.26 ERA in 41 2/3 innings pitched.
The 37-year-old has pitched five career relief appearances (2018) and the team will hope he can right the ship.
“There’s a lot of things that go into it, but ultimately we’re trying to use our players in an optimal way to win baseball games,” general manager Brian O’Halloran said Wednesday to MassLive’s Chris Cotillo. “Right now, we feel that this is the best way to win baseball games.
“Tanner has a history of pitching well in any role,” O’Halloran said. “He’s doing a good job in the rotation right now. We do see him as someone who can start long-term. But ultimately this is about what gives us the best chance to win as many games as possible in 2023.”
Kluber’s command has been an issue walking 18 batters (21 in 164 innings last season) and the Sox are 3-6 in his starts. The team seems to think this course of action will help get Kluber back to taking the ball every fifth day. However, the veteran starter acknowledged following his start in San Diego he’s making adjustments but can’t seem to figure out what is his overarching problem.
“There’s probably some getting in my own way trying to make too many adjustments and striking a balance of finding the right one,” Kluber said.
As Kluber struggles, fans will keep a watchful eye on former Red Sox righty Nathan Eovaldi. The Rangers ace looks like a Cy Young candidate, he’s made 10 starts going 6-2 with a 2.60 ERA, 66 strikeouts, 11 walks, 0.966 WHIP, two complete games (one shutout) in 69 1/3 innings.
Eovaldi bolted for the Lone Star State, ending his five-year tenure with the Red Sox back in December. He signed a two-year, $34 million contract that includes a vesting option for 2025.
Boston’s front office is committed to Kluber, whether it’s due to his $10 million price tag or they truly believe he can make the appropriate adjustments. Intense criticism of him and the front office, particularly chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom will follow until he improves or is designated for assignment.
“I think a veteran guy like him and someone with as much success as he has had and the ability that he has, he could be one adjustment away from finding it and we expect that he will,” O’Halloran added. “But he’s struggled a bit with command and ultimately this is the decision for now and and hopefully he can right the ship and contribute out of the pen.”