Walker Buehler Released by Red Sox After Signing $21M Contract in MLB Free Agency

The Boston Red Sox announced Friday that they have released starting pitcher Walker Buehler.

Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com first reported the move.

Buehler has struggled mightily since signing with the team as a free agent. In 112.1 innings, he's 7-7 with a 5.45 ERA and a 5.88 FIP. He's averaging 6.7 strikeouts and 4.4 walks per nine innings.

Signing Buehler looked like a worthwhile gamble at the time. He was guaranteed to get at least $21.5 million for this season and had a $25 million mutual option for 2026.

After missing all of 2023 following Tommy John surgery, the 31-year-old posted a 5.38 ERA in 16 starts with the Los Angeles Dodgers last season. Still, this was a two-time All-Star who finished fourth in the 2021 National League Cy Young voting.

And in the worst-case scenario, the Red Sox had an easy out if Buehler's performance didn't improve.

Boston's front office isn't waiting for the offseason to sever ties.

Friday's move comes after manager Alex Cora shifted Buehler to the bullpen, a role the right-hander hasn't occupied with regularity since his rookie year in 2017.

Buehler called it "a situation I've tried to avoid my whole life" but acknowledged it was "definitely understandable" given his issues on the mound.

His first relief outing for the Sox saw him surrender two earned runs in a 7-2 loss to the New York Yankees last Sunday.

Boston, which has a 2.5-game cushion in the wild-card race, wasn't going to sit around and see if Buehler became more acclimated to life out of the bullpen.

That might scare off some prospective suitors, particularly those who also have playoff ambitions. The Red Sox had to see something that led them to believe he wouldn't turn things around.

Because of his overall resume, Buehler is nonetheless likely to land on his feet before too long. The obvious question is whether he's eager to return to the starting rotation or is ready to pivot toward being a reliever full time in an effort to have a second act in his career.