Daniel Bard Is Going Back to the Bullpen

According to a report by the Boston Herald's John Tomase, Daniel Bard will be converted back to a reliever. Since being sent down to AAA, Bard has pitched 7.1 innings with a 7.36 ERA. He has come out of the bullpen in 4 of his 5 appearances, so maybe this should not be a complete shock.

Apparently Bard told Tomase that he had come to the conclusion in Pawtucket that he should go back to being a reliever, and the Red Sox agreed. Bard sported a 5.32 ERA in 11 starts for the Sox, and never seemed comfortable on the mound. Bard summed it up perfectly when he said, “The feeling of everyone I’ve talked to, and the way I feel myself, is that I can be a good starter. I know I can be a good starter. But I know I’m already a great reliever. Maybe that’s what I was meant to do, so just try and embrace it from here on out.”


It is yet to be seen when Bard will return to the major league club, or who will be sent down in his place. This also brings into question whether the Sox really trust Daisuke as their 5th starter the rest of the season, or whether they will explore other options. 

Assuming Bard can return to his successful days as a late inning reliever, Boston's bullpen will be that much stronger. Red Sox relievers already have an ERA of 3.29 on the season, and 2.48 over the past 30 days. I wouldn't expect Bard to be put right into high leverage situations immediately, but it is important to point out that Alfredo Aceves has allowed at least 1 earned run in 3 of his last 8 appearances.

Whatever role Bard falls into, this move will make Boston's bullpen one of the best in baseball. Now they just need to focus on filling out their starting rotation.