Boston Red Sox Bullpen Shuffle: Jenks, Wheeler on DL, Atchison, Hill Called Up

The Red Sox' soggy, 13-inning loss to the Angels in the wee hours this morning prompted manager Terry Francona to bring in fresh arms and place two of his more struggling relievers, Bobby Jenks (biceps strain) and Dan Wheeler (calf strain), on the 15-day DL.

Taking their places on the Red Sox active roster are right-hander Scott Atchison and left-hander Rich Hill.

This was certainly not how the Red Sox envisioned their bullpen rounding out a month into the season. Jenks and Wheeler were two of Boston's major bullpen additions last winter. Jenks is owed $12 million over two years while Wheeler is signed for a year at $3 million with a club option for 2012.

Wheeler had been a force in a strong Rays bullpen, while the Sox were hoping that Jenks' better days weren't behind him after a subpar 2010 and all of the brouhaha surrounding his departure from the South Side.

Both pitchers, however, have promptly gone out and been terrible thus far this season.

Jenks (9.35 ERA, 2.54 WHIP) has allowed runs in five of his last seven outings, blowing leads his last two times out—both versus the Mariners—and imploding on April 15 against the Blue Jays. He hasn't been done in by the gopher ball, with no homers allowed despite all of his bad outings. Jenks' 13 hits and nine walks over 8.2 innings won't cut it though.

Wheeler (11.32 ERA, 1.84 WHIP) has been marginally more effective than Jenks but has been burned more by big hits.

After allowing runs in his first three appearances, he appeared to be settling into a groove, allowing only one run on two hits with six strikeouts over his next five appearances. However, last night and Monday night, Wheeler turned in stinkers versus an Angels team that has been struggling overall at the plate against Boston pitching.

Rain and extra innings forced Francona's hand, however, these roster moves have their merits even without external factors.

The Red Sox offense is still working out the kinks and hasn't been able to consistently pad leads for what has been the team's excellent starting pitching as of late. Fresh arms and clear minds were needed in a bullpen that has been the team's weakest link, even amid the offensive struggles of various players like Carl Crawford.

Atchison was the feel-good story of last year, successfully reestablishing his major league career after spending the two previous seasons pitching for the Hanshin Tigers in Japan.

Atchison made 43 appearances for Boston last year. His overall numbers, a 4.50 ERA and 1.28 WHIP, are nothing spectacular. However, he put together nice strings of scoreless outings in the second half last season, and Francona increasingly entrusted Atchison with more important situations.

Both Atchison and Hill have been tearing it up at Triple-A Pawtucket. Atchison is 1-0 with a 1.04 ERA, allowing two earned runs over 17.1 innings. He has walked just one batter while striking out 17 and holding opposing hitters to a .206 average. 

Hill, who came up with the Chicago Cubs as a starter, has some similar numbers at Pawtucket. He is 1-0 with a 1.13 ERA, allowing two earned runs over 16 innings. He has five walks and 18 strikeouts while holding opposing hitters to a slick .143 average.

Hill has less major league experience with Boston. He only appeared in six games in 2010, allowing five hits, one walk and striking out three over four innings of work.

Jenks and Wheeler have been so bad that pretty much anyone else would stand to be an improvement. Hopefully with Atchison and Hill, the Red Sox will be able to build up some depth in their bullpen behind Jonathan Papelbon and Daniel Bard.