The morning after a hard fought victory usually provides fans and players with a positive and uplifting attitude, but this morning is the exception. After a 4+ hour bizarre 13-12 battle with the Toronto Blue Jays yesterday, the victorious Red Sox are anything but refreshed and excited to play on Tuesday night in game 2 of the series. With that in mind, the Sox have called up LHP Fabio Castro from Pawtucket (according to Amalie Benjamin of Boston.com) to help relieve a taxed bullpen.
As of this morning (April 27th), there has been no word about who will be sent down to make the roster space for Castro, but the likely candidate is struggling RHP Scott Atchison. In 7 appearances, Atchison has an era of 6.10 and has allowed 7 ER in 10.1 innings thus far in 2010. Atchison was the feel-good story coming out of Spring Training, as he left playing baseball in Japan to come back to the USA due to his daughter’s illness. She wasn’t getting the proper care in Japan, so Atchison decided to leave and try to make a major league club in order to stay. Despite the story, his pitching has been sub-par and it has most likely forced the hand of management to make the move.
Fabio Castro provides the Sox with a long reliever if needed, because he has been a starter at AAA Pawtucket this season. In 3 starts, Castro has a 0-1 record with an 8.10 era and 13 Ks in 10 innings pitched. Don’t expect much heat from Castro, because according to SoxProspects.com he only has a cut-fastball in the high-80’s, but has a decent change-up and curve-ball to throw in the mix. No one is expecting Castro to be the next superstar, but he can hopefully eat some innings and give the spent bullpen a breather over the next few games.
This season so far, the Sox have 4 relievers with 10+ appearances, including Daniel Bard who has pitched in 12.1 innings. Throughout the course of a long 162 game season, this trend could be detrimental to the Sox, but a combination of better starts from the rotation and throwing some fresh arms into the bullpen (Castro, Wakefield), the Sox can rest their regulars more often. Don’t be surprised to see Castro stay in the big leagues until Saturday and then go back to Pawtucket when Dice-K returns from his rehab stint.
Add us as a preferred source on Google