Red Sox cut ties with Walker Buehler following a rough season

According to the latest trade news, the Boston Red Sox have released veteran right-hander Walker Buehler. The move comes one week before an important weekend series and as the team was preparing to promote its top pitching talent, marking a transition to a youth-based roster as they target the playoffs.

Red Sox move on from Walker Buehler to promote promising rookie

Buehler signed with Boston last December for a one-year, $21.05 million deal with a proven record of two All-Star games and two World Series wins with the Dodgers. There were high hopes for his arrival, but the season quickly fell apart. In 23 appearances, 22 of which were as a starting pitcher, he compiled an even record of 7–7 with a bloated 5.45 earned run average (ERA).

Buehler gave up two runs in 2.1 innings for his only other bullpen appearance, against the Yankees, an indication that the transition out of the rotation wasn't permanent or successful.In his place, the team called up 22-year-old lefty Payton Tolle, the No. 2 pitching prospect in the Red Sox system who is going to make his Major League debut Friday night vs. the Pirates. In addition to Tolle, the club recalled utility player Nick Sogard and optioned outfielder Jhostynxon Garcia back to Triple-A.Also Read: Walker Buehler blames whiskey for spicy tweet at Francisco Lindor after their heated postgame moment

Walker Buehler’s performance woes and postseason implications

The release comes only a few days before the postponed September 1 postseason eligibility deadline, meaning Buehler needs to sign with another franchise by the start of Monday to be playoff-eligible.

But his lack of effectiveness this season makes it unclear if a contender will roll the dice on him.It was “really, really tough,” according to Red Sox Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow, partly due to Buehler’s previous success and Podgajny’s durability concerns. The hope was that Buehler could transition into a pen role and offer dependable innings the rest of the way, which just has not happened.