Red Sox remove Buehler from starting rotation

The Boston Red Sox removed Walker Buehler from the starting rotation Friday, manager Alex Cora announced.

Cora said Buehler took the news "like a professional," adding, "I still believe in him."

Buehler has had a rocky campaign with the Red Sox after signing a one-year, $21.05-million contract in December. The right-hander owns a 5.40 ERA, 5.83 FIP, and 4.4 BB/9 in 110 innings (22 starts). His minus-0.6 fWAR is the worst among major-league starters with at least 110 innings pitched, according to FanGraphs.

"To be frank, if I wasn't so f-----g miserable trying to get people out every five days, I don't think I'd react positively at all to this," Buehler said, according to Mass Live's Chris Cotillo.

"It's kind of a good sign of where I'm at mentally that I'm trying to find an opportunity or a bright spot in this for myself and our team."

The 31-year-old couldn't get out of the fifth inning of his last start, which came Aug. 19 against the Baltimore Orioles, and has only pitched into the seventh inning three times this season.

The Red Sox signed Buehler with the expectation that he'd boost their rotation this year after his strong finish to the 2024 campaign. His impressive late-season run culminated in him recording the final out of the World Series for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Buehler's contract includes a $25-million mutual option for next season with a $3-million buyout.