Since becoming the Boston Red Sox manager, John Farrell has done whatever it takes a few times to defend Alfredo Aceves, citing the value of the pitcher while others questioned his erratic behavior. The way Aceves acted last season ended up with him being suspended by former Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine.
It looks like the defending of Aceves has become even more of a challenge than Farrell wants to deal with. Wednesday night, following the Red Sox victory over the Oakland Athletics, the Red Sox have decided to option Aceves to the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox.
Alfredo Aceves optioned to Pawt. after game. #redsoxtalk
— Sean McAdam(@Sean_McAdam) April 25, 2013
Aceves is healthy and has shown he has the ability to come into the game in big situations, but his erratic behavior and not knowing when he will ‘show up’ for a game is too much for the Red Sox to handle. The best move for the team was to demote him to Triple-A and let him work things out down on the farm.
This season, Aceves has posted a 1-1 record with a 8.66 ERA, giving up 17 earned runs over only 17.2 innings pitched. Seven of his earned runs did come in Tuesday blowout loss in which he blamed a small strike zone, the weather and his teammates. Another strike for the Red Sox and had a part in their decision to send him down.
The decision became easier for the Red Sox with John Lackey on his way back to the club, Joel Hanrahan has been throwing bullpen sessions and reliever Craig Breslow is close to coming back, after he started on Tuesday night in Portland. Franklin Morales was on his way back, but may have his rehab halted after He developed some soreness in his left pectoral muscle.
The Red Sox will likely call Aceves back to the majors at some point, but will let him sit down in the minors and let him ride the bus for a bit until he gets his act together.
Justin Soderberg is a Boston Red Sox writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, ”Like” him on Facebook and add him to your network on Google.
