Doubront and Bard Round Out Rotation; Bailey Causes Consern

We are under a week until Opening Day and the rotation is finally set. Bobby Valentine announced that the final two spots in the rotation will go to lefty Felix Doubront and righty Daniel Bard.

"That's for me what i was looking for all spring," Doubront said. "Even when I start my offseason, to hear that news. That's pretty amazing."

The Red Sox really didn't have an other option but to place Doubront on the team. Reason being his he is out of minor league options and if they didn't keep him they would have most likely lost him on the waiver wire. Doubront pitched a nice spring pitching 16.2 innings in three starts and four appearances. Doubront has a  2.70 ERA and has gave up 18 hits and five runs. Doubront also it brings a second lefty to the rotation.

The rotation will place Doubront as the number four starter and Bard as fifth. The odd man out was Aflredo Aceves who will be coming out of the pen for a second season in a row with the Red Sox. Aceves was highly upset that he did not get a spot in the rotation. 

Aceves was placed in the bullpen for his ability to come in for long relief, come in late inning situations and can even make the spot start in case of injury. Valentine said part of the reason for Aceves in the pen is he is not comfortable with his late inning situation that he currently has. Bobby V went on to there was health issues involved in the reasoning but he would not say who.

Speculations is that Andrew Bailey who joined the Red Sox this offseason via trade is suffering from a thumb injury. Injury is nothing new to the Red Sox closer. Bailey has suffered from several injuries in the past.

Bailey last pitched in a major league game on March 25th but  threw 26 pitches in a minor league game this past Wednesday. 

Valentine said that the injured player is a candidate for the disabled list. If it is Bailey as suspected it could cause the Red Sox to carry an extra pitcher  with the final spot on the roster. Since Bailey hasn't pitched in a major league game since the 25th he could be retroactively placed on the 15-day DL beginning the March 26. That would make him available April 9th and only miss a couple of games.

There are four pitchers remaining that do not know their fate with the Red Sox: Vincente Padilla, Micheal Bowden, Scott Atchison, and Justin Thomas. Aaron Cook is still with the big club but will begin the year as a starter with Pawtucket.   

The Starting rotation will go as such:

Lester  vs Tigers 4/5

Beckett vs Tigers 4/7

Buchholz vs Tigers 4/8

Doubront vs Blue Jays 4/9

Bard vs Blue Jays 4/10