Webster arrives to add bullpen depth
NEW YORK -- The Red Sox welcomed another September callup to the clubhouse on Sunday, as right-hander Allen Webster rejoined the team as another bullpen arm.
Webster made six starts earlier this season, but he has worked out of the bullpen for Triple-A Pawtucket during their on-going playoff series.
"I liked it," said Webster, who is ranked the club's No. 3 prospect. "You get to go out there and really just focus on getting one out at a time. I think it might help if I incorporated that into starting a little."
Sometimes the biggest adjustment for a starting pitcher transitioning to the bullpen is the warmup process, but Webster is fine with that.
"I'm pretty quick as a starter anyway," Webster said. "I just go through my same little routines and I'm ready to go."
In six starts for the Red Sox this season, Webster was 1-2 with a 9.57 ERA.
However, his pitches can be devastating at times and the Red Sox hope it will play well out of the bullpen.
"Based on what we saw in Spring Training, and I know that's Spring Training, but in one- or two-inning stints, very powerful, a lot more strikes," said manager John Farrell. "He's got that opportunity here now."