Papelbon to return to Red Sox bullpen as closer

[wayne1218]

I know,


I DO!

I'm so fucken happy they did this and Papelbon asked to do it. Look out!

[wayne1218]

Associated Press


CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Jonathan Papelbon's conversion from closer to starter didn't last long.


Papelbon is heading back to Boston's bullpen to fill a major void, though he isn't doing it because an injury to Mike Timlin left the Red Sox without a closer.

"I haven't been sleeping well because there's been that feeling deep down in my heart that I wanted to close," Papelbon said after the Phillies and Red Sox played to a 4-4 tie in 10 innings Thursday.

Papelbon is coming off a sensational rookie season in which he had 35 saves and an 0.92 ERA. The 26-year-old right-hander was slated to be part of a strong starting rotation, but the Red Sox need a reliable closer because the 41-year-old Timlin has a strained side muscle and isn't going to be ready to start the season.

Papelbon made the decision to tell manager Terry Francona how he felt about returning to his closer's role earlier this week after consulting with his family and speaking to catcher Jason Varitek.

"He's unique," Francona said. "He's at the top of the list of relievers in baseball. He impacts the game like no other. I'm thrilled we have a young guy that feels enthusiastic about doing a job."

Papelbon allowed one run and two hits in three innings against Philadelphia. Karim Garcia's RBI single in the seventh off Papelbon tied the game at 4.

Julian Tavarez will take over as Boston's fifth starter behind an impressive staff that includes Curt Schilling, Josh Beckett, Daisuke Matsuzaka and Tim Wakefield.

Papelbon opened last season with 20 consecutive saves after taking over for injured closer Keith Foulke. He blew six of his last 21 chances, and he was shut down for the final month with shoulder problems.

Among pitchers who threw more than 50 innings, his ERA was the eighth lowest in major-league history and his .167 opponents batting average tied him for the major-league record Pedro Martinez set in 2000, when the former Boston ace won the Cy Young Award.

Papelbon's shoulder injury led the club to switch him back to the starting rotation because the routine of having to be prepared to pitch every day -- and being in games two or three consecutive nights -- might have caused some stress. Papelbon pitched almost exclusively as a starter in the minors but worked out of the bullpen at Mississippi State and was selected as a closer in the fourth round of the 2003 amateur entry draft.

Papelbon pitched 68 1/3 innings in 59 appearances last year. He was 4-2 with 75 strikeouts and only 13 walks.

"This is something I want to do for the rest of my career," he said. "It has nothing to do with Timlin's health or us not having a closer or my shoulder. I broke into the league as a closer. They drafted me as a closer. In college, I learned to pitch in the bullpen. It's where my heart is."

Papelbon isn't concerned about re-injuring his shoulder as a reliever.

"If I do what I'm supposed to do, get checked out day in and day out, there's no reason why I can't pitch in October," he said.

Papelbon's role model is Mariano Rivera, who has been a dominant closer for several years while helping the rival New York Yankees win four World Series titles.

"Hopefully I can do what Rivera has done for the Yankees," he said.

Francona probably won't overuse Papelbon and likely won't send him out for two-inning saves often.

"He'll be checked, monitored and I'll tell him he's not pitching certain days and he's going to do strengthening exercises," Francona said. "I'd never put a ballclub's best interest ahead of the health of a player."

[TMAC951]

I know,


I DO!

I'm so fucken happy they did this and Papelbon asked to do it. Look out!

That is more than likely the smartest thing this kid has ever done in his life asking to be put back in the pen.. He knew he wasnt a starting pitcher type player! Nice move on His behalf..

[soxx9]

Very nice. Not sure how long I would have been able to stomach Pineiro (and company) in a save situation.

[Kaptain]

In the first place, I never could figure out Management taking one of the "TOP" closers in BaseBall, and even trying to make him a starter........as a reliever/closer, you can rely/use him every day, as a "STARTER", probably every 5 days.....what is more valuable.....IMO----If it ain't broke, then don't try tp fix it...........He'll wind up being another great closer, year after year, if he stays healthy..........kapt

That's kinda like taking the Human Vacuum Cleaner, Brooks Robinson, and moving him to the Outfield cause you need help there.....about as ignorant as the above attempt.......

[wayne1218]

Nobody up here could understand it either Kaptain. They said his arm wouldn't be as tired starting. Huh? They would rather use him 200 innings starting instead of 75 closing? Makes no sense and nobody was happy about it up here. Now that Dice-Kay looks so good, they feel comfortable in moving him back. More than anything, he should protect Schilling, Beckett and Dice when they have a lead late!

[SACPAC]

Nobody up here could understand it either Kaptain. They said his arm wouldn't be as tired starting. Huh? They would rather use him 200 innings starting instead of 75 closing? Makes no sense and nobody was happy about it up here. Now that Dice-Kay looks so good, they feel comfortable in moving him back. More than anything, he should protect Schilling, Beckett and Dice when they have a lead late!

Who do they have for a setup man???

[wayne1218]

Who do they have for a setup man???

Brendan Donnelly R (From Anaheim), Craig Hansen R, J.C. Romero L, Hideki Okajima L and Timlin R (when healthy).

[TheRook]

Brendan Donnelly R (From Anaheim), Craig Hansen R, J.C. Romero L, Hideki Okajima L and Timlin R (when healthy).

Donnelly and Romero were GREAT pickups for you all this off season.

[SACPAC]

Looks like the bullpen could be vastly improve from last year..

[wayne1218]

Donnelly and Romero were GREAT pickups for you all this off season.

I love this team. I really do from top to bottom, starters, setup and closer (Now with Papelbon). The one thing nobody up here likes (including myself) is Pedroia at 2B. He did nothing in September and looked average. We should have kept Loretta there.

[wayne1218]

Looks like the bullpen could be vastly improve from last year..

It looks much improved. Hideki Okajima could be the best one there. Another Japan signing.

[TheRook]

I love this team. I really do from top to bottom, starters, setup and closer (Now with Papelbon). The one thing nobody up here likes (including myself) is Pedroia at 2B. He did nothing in September and looked average. We should have kept Loretta there.

Anyone in the minors that can move up?

But I agree...top to bottom...very deep team it looks like.

[wayne1218]

Anyone in the minors that can move up?

But I agree...top to bottom...very deep team it looks like.

He is the one who moved up from the minors!

Their best prospects seem to be outfielders now.

[TheRook]

He is the one who moved up from the minors!

Their best prospects seem to be outfielders now.

Yikes...lol...I didn't know that.

Well maybe a trade to get a vet over.

Todd Walker might be looking for a job. That would be a very logical choice if he gets cut.