Wheeler Back Next Week

"The Boston Red Sox placed Dan Wheeler and Bobby Jenks on the disabled list not long ago, but Wheeler is set to start a rehab already, tweets Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe. Relievers tend to work through their rehabs quickly, so Wheeler, who was assigned to Triple-A Pawtucket, could be back as early as next week if all goes well. The club may want to see him pitch on back-to-back days while showing some consistency and making enough appearances to rebuild his arm strength (ESPN)."

I was really pumped when the Red Sox signed Wheeler in the offseason. Obviously the beginning of this year was a disappointment, but hopefully he can get right when he returns to the MLB. The Sox could certainly use help in the bullpen, especially on days that Lackey pitches.

There is still no word on Jenks and when he may be back, but I would assume it's not going to be anytime close to when Wheeler returns.

Jenks/Wheeler Hit The DL

"The Red Sox will place relievers Dan Wheeler and Bobby Jenks on the disabled list prior to Thursday's game against the Angels in order to clear roster spots for right-hander Scott Atchison (recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket) and left-hander Rich Hill (selected from Pawtucket) (WEEI)."

Jenks and Wheeler have been huge disappointments so far for the Red Sox. I kind of expected it from Jenks, but I am shocked that Wheeler has been as bad as he has been. So far Wheeler has an 11.32 ERA in 11 appearances this year, and this will be just the first time he has ever been to the DL in his career.

Jenks has an arm cramp, but has been terrible anyways going 1-2 with a 9.35 ERA in 11 games this year. So, this could actually be a good thing for the Sox. Atchison has a 1.04 ERA, with 17 strikeouts, and 1 walk in 17 1/3 innings and Hill has a 1.13 ERA, with 18 strikeouts, 5 walks in 16 innings of work for Pawtucket. Hill has been especially tough against left handers as they have .100 batting average against him this year.

Indians 8, Red Sox 4

I really thought Daisuke was going to turn the Sox' fortunes around last night. He's always done well against Cleveland. And they tend to be free swingers. I was wrong.

He wasn't awful. But in typical Daisuke fashion, even when he does well, he fails to do well for long enough. And while it was the bullpen that ultimately lost this game, Daisuke gave the bullpen a chance to lose it, by only going 5 innings.

And during those 5 innings, he nibbled. And he nibbled. He threw a joke of a 90 MPH fastball right down the middle to Choo, and it was crushed. He nibbled some more. He walked batters. He hit a batter. He allowed 10 baserunners in 5 innings.

But he didn't lose this game by himself. Not by a longshot. Ellsbury struck out 3 times and went 0 for 5. We're still waiting for him to hit. Youkilis went 0 for 4, continuing his struggles. And Varitek messed up a defensive play, turning what should have been an out into a Cleveland run. His mistake of not tagging Buck at the plate was inexcusable for a veteran and a "Captain."

Then the bullpen. That's worrying me more than anything else right now. The starting pitching is what it is. The offense will inevitably improve. Guys like Ellsbury and Youkilis are not sub-.200 hitters. They'll come around. The bullpen, however, has been nothing but a disaster so far. Dan Wheeler was supposed to be the 2nd set-up man alongside Bard. He's allowed 2 homeruns already. And Reyes was supposed to add depth. He's only added mass, and a heavy ERA.

A few bright notes from last night: Gonzalez hit his first homerun with the team. And Crawford got on base, then ran, stealing his first 2 bases of the season.

The rotoation starts all over again, and maybe that's what this club needs. Lester faces Fausto Carmona, who allowed 10 runs in 3 innings against Chicago. First pitch at 12:05 this afternoon.

-The Commodore