A day after NESN’s Tom Caron reported that Red Sox righty Nathan Eovaldi would move to the bullpen upon his return from the injured list, Alex Cora and Dave Dombrowski confirmed the news on Tuesday.
Alex Cora said Nathan Eovaldi will be the closer for now. He’s not ruling out using him a starter again this season though
— Christopher Smith (@SmittyOnMLB)
July 2, 2019 Meeting with reporters in Toronto ahead of Boston’s three-game set with the Blue Jays, the organization’s two major shot callers discussed the surprising news, where Dombrowski said the move reflects “urgency” with regards to the bullpen, which has logged an American League-leading 17 blown saves and gave up 22 runs in two games against the Yankees in London.
Dombrowski says Eovaldi decision reflects ‘urgency’ and longer-than-expected timetable to return. ‘It doesn’t preclude us ... from lengthening him out’ as starter at some point.
— Alex Speier (@alexspeier)
July 2, 2019 Dombrowski also said the Red Sox are hopeful Eovaldi can return right after the All-Star break, with the team coming back to Boston on July 12 to host the Dodgers. However, the organization hasn’t ruled out using him as a starter as the season goes along.
Dombrowski hopes Eovaldi will return after the All-Star Break or close to it
— Christopher Smith (@SmittyOnMLB)
July 2, 2019 Cora also said Steven Wright could shuttle between the bullpen and the rotation, serving as either the team's fifth starter or a multi-inning reliever.
