Justin Masterson to be converted into a reliever

Terry Francona announced today that there would be a bit of a change in the Red Sox pitching staff. Justin Masterson, who has spent his season as a starting pitcher, will be converted to a reliever. The reasoning is most likely to keep his inning total low for the rest of the season in hopes that he will still be of use to the club in September. Masterson has been sent down to Pawtucket to get acclimated to the change in his role and IF Jeff Bailey has been called up to take the newly created roster spot. Taking Masterson's place in the rotation will be Clay Buchholz. Buchholz struggled during the beginning of the year with Boston (5.53 ERA in 42.1 IP) but has put up good numbers since being sent back down to Triple-A Pawtucket (2.47 ERA in 43.2 IP.) The club demoted him so that he could get a chance to work on his fastball and it seems that he has gotten a handle on the pitch. Clay won't be called up for a few more days until Justin Masterson's spot in the rotation comes around again.