With rotation full, Webster could work in relief

NEW YORK -- Hard-throwing prospect Allen Webster, who was inconsistent as a starter for the Red Sox earlier this season, might get a chance out of the bullpen down the stretch.

Rated the organization's No. 3 prospect by MLB.com, Webster will get some work in relief during Triple-A Pawtucket's playoff series against Rochester.

"Could very well be," manager John Farrell said of the chance of Webster getting some work in Boston's bullpen. "If he comes to us, we look at the rotation being full. So just with the number of available starts we have and the potential of another power arm that we'll take a look in the bullpen and see where it goes the remainder of this month."

With Joel Hanrahan and Andrew Bailey out for the season with injuries, the Red Sox have scrambled a little for righty setup help in front of closer Koji Uehara.

One thing that has clearly helped is the emergence of Brandon Workman.

"Obviously he can give multiple innings, but in a leverage situation we've come to trust his composure and his mound presence to be able to execute in those situations," Farrell said.

Workman came up as a starting pitcher and could get back to that role next year.

"We fully believe he can be a starting pitcher," general manager Ben Cherington said. "Obviously the need right now is in the 'pen. We'll reassess that in the offseason and going into Spring Training. We know he's capable of being a starting pitcher."

Workman's flexibility only makes him a more valuable asset.

"I think he's proven he can do both, and that's great," Cherington said. "We'll see what happens down the road. We haven't talked to him."