Red Sox moving struggling P Walker Buehler to bullpen

With 34 games left in the regular season, the Red Sox are rearranging their starting lineup.

Boston manager Alex Cora declared on Friday that Walker Buehler would be moved to the bullpen and removed from the rotation.

Buehler was supposed to start Monday’s game against the Baltimore Orioles. He has started 22 games for the Red Sox this season. According to Cora, the replacement starter for that match has not yet been decided.

The precise nature of Buehler’s relieving duty is unknown to Cora and the team.

The Boston captain also mentioned that Buehler won’t be available out of the bullpen for Friday’s game against the New York Yankees because he pitched on Tuesday against the Orioles.

Alex Cora on the team’s new role for Walker Buehler”[Walker Buehler’s] going to go to the bullpen I still believe in him.”Twitter: pic.twitter.com/F683z8Cm0I

Cora informed reporters prior to Friday’s game in the Bronx that he would be starting from the bullpen. Last night, I spoke with him. Craig Bres[low], the chief baseball officer, did as well. He has a new position. We’ll see how it turns out. One inning or several innings, perhaps. We don’t yet know what it is. He just pitched, therefore he’s not in the bullpen today. He will be there whenever he is ready, and I have no doubt that he will assist us.

The 31-year-old Buehler has had a terrible 2025 season with the Red Sox. With 110 innings worked, the right-hander has a 7-7 record, a 5.40 ERA, and a 1.56 WHIP.

For Buehler, walks have always been a problem. He walks 4.4 batters every nine innings on average. After walking eight batters in his last two appearances, Buehler’s season total now stands at 54.

He has also struggled with home runs. Buehler has given up 21 runs, or an average of 1.7 per nine innings.

When the hurler was informed of his new role, Cora was asked how he responded.

Cora described Buehler as professional. He has been quite irritated with his pitching style. I still have faith in him. He plays a significant role in our goals. In order to help us win games, I’m hoping he’ll reset, go out there, pound the strike zone, and streamline the offense. He was excellent.

Prior to Friday’s game, Buehler also addressed the media and gave a response to the news.

According to the Boston Globes’ Tim Healey, Buehler stated, “I think it’s probably the right thing for our group and gives me an opportunity to reset in some way.” I believe it’s the correct thing to do for the team this year. For the next few months, I’ll make an effort to accept it.

In December 2024, Buehler agreed to a one-year contract worth $21.05 million with Boston. A $25 million mutual option for 2026 with a $3 million buyout is part of the agreement. Buehler also received bonuses of $500,000 for making 20 and 22 starts, respectively. If he had made 24, 26, and 28 starts, he would have received an additional $500,000.

Richard Fitts, Buehler’s replacement, was recalled from Triple-A Worcester on Thursday; however, Fitts will also be throwing out of the bullpen, according to a story published on Wednesday by Sean McAdam of MassLive. Fitts, who has started six games for Worcester and ten for Boston this season, would have been a strong contender to take Buehler’s job.

Instead, Kyle Harrison or Payton Tolle from Triple-A might be promoted by the Red Sox. If the club decides Tolle is ready, Breslow did not rule out him making his MLB debut in the last stretch.

Breslow told Boston Globes Alex Speier, “By all accounts, he is a kid that kind of elevates his game.” We don’t expect the stage to be too large for him. Therefore, we wouldn’t think twice about giving it a try if we believe he is ready.

Boston.com sports producer Kaley Brown covers the Boston Bruins, Boston Celtics, Patriots, and Boston Red Sox.