Boston Red Sox designate Justin Masterson for assignment

Masterson pitched an inning of relief in his final game with the Red Sox on Sunday against the Detroit Tigers, surrendering a solo home run and a walk, while striking out a batter in his inning of work.

But with their bullpen in shambles and, frankly, nothing much to lose, the Sox tried to find a place for Masterson as the swingman he had once been way back when he was first with the team.

Red Sox manager John Farrell stated after Sunday’s game that the team would look to fill Masterson’s roster spot with another bullpen arm, and not centerfielder Mookie Betts, who will be activated from the disabled list on Tuesday and will require a separate roster move. He was tough on some right-handers, and then the ability to hold it together in a starting role – multiple times through the order – that came and went. Guys need to get innings.

Farrell went on to explain that while Masterson showed flashes of solid contribution in a bullpen role, the consistency the team was looking for still wasn’t there. “What’s the point of leaving me out there?” “Masterson can now choose to accept his designation or test the waters in free agency”.

Masterson was signed in the offseason as a starting pitcher after a disastrous 2014 season, which was spent with the Cleveland Indians and the St. Louis Cardinals. “The 6’6” right-hander originally broke into the MLB with the Red Sox in 2008, garnering a 6-5 record and a 3.16 ERA in his debut season in the major leagues, making 36 appearances.

It’s been obvious for some time now that Masterson just doesn’t have it anymore. Fans know that wasn’t going to happen in Boston this year.

A popular rebound candidate heading into the season, things have certainly not proceeded according to Masterson’s or the Red Sox’s scripts.

Masterson told reporters he was open to a trade in June, however his inflated ERA has likely made it hard for the Red Sox to move him.