Papelbon to return to bullpen

ESPN's Erin Andrews reported during the Red Sox-Phillies game today that Jonathan Papelbon will return to the bullpen and be the closer instead of joining the starting rotation as originally planned.

Therefore, the dreaded closer-by-committee could be avoided in Boston, and there is now a race for the 5th spot, which should include Julian TAVAREZ, swingman Kyle Snyder, and eventually a cancer-free Jon Lester.

Bball3345Draft Pick

988 days ago

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What!

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KelsdadAll-Star

988 days ago

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True story, heard it myself. Concerns about Papelbon's shoulder and having to throw 125 pitches twice a week. Fifth starter should be Piniero until Lester returns from rehab assignment, likely first week in May.

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Bball3345Draft Pick

988 days ago

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I thought they moved Papelbon to the rotation in the first place because of health concerns about him closing? Why did they change their minds all of a sudden?

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Anonymous Fanatic #1

988 days ago

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Boston will be stronger because of this move.

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Anonymous Fanatic #2

988 days ago

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Seriously. I was really looking forward to the comedy that would have been Tavares trying to close.

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KelsdadAll-Star

988 days ago

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He'll be on a pitch count in the bullpen too, won't pitch more than two consecutive days, if he pitches more than one inning in an appearance he won't throw at all the next day. From what the announcers said during the game the move was Papelbon's idea, he never felt comfortable going back to starting.

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Bball3345Draft Pick

988 days ago

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or Theo had a really bad nightmare in which Joel Pineiro was closing games for them.

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