Red Sox Ace Buehler Demoted to Bullpen After Dismal Start

In a surprising move, the Boston Red Sox have decided to remove veteran pitcher Walker Buehler from their starting rotation and transition him to a relief role for the remainder of the 2025 season. Buehler, who signed a one-year, $21.05 million contract with the Red Sox this offseason, has struggled mightily in his 22 starts so far, compiling a 5.40 ERA with just 82 strikeouts in 110 innings.

The 31-year-old's strikeout rate of 6.7 per nine innings is the lowest of his eight-year MLB career, and he has also allowed 118 hits and 54 walks. Buehler missed the entire 2023 season after undergoing his second Tommy John surgery, and while he showed some improvement during the Dodgers' postseason run last year, he has been unable to recapture that form with the Red Sox.

Facing the challenge of turning his season around, Buehler has sought advice from former teammates Daniel Hudson and David Price, both of whom transitioned from starting pitchers to relievers. He is hoping to adopt a new pregame routine and approach that will allow him to be more effective in a bullpen role as the Red Sox continue their push for a playoff spot.

With the Red Sox currently third in the AL East, five games behind the Toronto Blue Jays, they are hoping that Buehler can provide a boost in relief and potentially work his way back into the rotation in 2026. The team has not yet announced who will take his place in the starting rotation, but Richard Fitts and Kyle Harrison are reportedly the leading candidates.