Boston Red Sox dump Tyler Thornburg despite bullpen questions

The Boston Red Sox desperately need to find options for the bullpen. Nonetheless, Tyler Thornburg will not be part of the solution.

The Boston Red Sox bullpen has been considered their Achilles’ Heel throughout most of the season, particularly over the past few weeks. General manager Dave Dombrowski has indicated that he is looking to upgrade the Red Sox relief corps, exploring any possible upgrade either in trades or in free agency. Boston has even become desperate enough to slot Nathan Eovaldi as their closer.

For all the attention being paid to their bullpen, one internal option was never a consideration. Tyler Thornburg was finally healthy, and rejected an optional assignment to AAA. In response, the Red Sox have released Thornburg, ending his disastrous time in Boston.

Thornburg’s departure puts an end to a trade that had proven to be a disaster from the beginning. The Red Sox sent Travis Shaw, along with minor leaguers Mauricio Dubon, Josh Pennington, and Yeison Coca for the right handed reliever, a move that looks even worse in retrospect.

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After a solid run as a setup man for the Brewers, Thornburg has been plagued by injuries in Boston. He missed the entire 2017 season due to thoracic outlet syndrome surgery, and his recovery lasted into the 2018 campaign. This year, he was sidelined by a hip injury that kept him out of action since the end of May before refusing his minor league assignment once his rehab had finished.

Over three seasons, Thornburg pitched a total of 41 games for Boston, although the results were not what the Red Sox had hoped for. In his 42.2 innings, he posted a 6.54 ERA and a 1.617 WHiP, striking out 43 batters while issuing 20 walks. He also struggled to keep the ball in the yard, allowing ten homers in his limited time.

Now, Thornburg will look to find his previous form with a new organization. The Red Sox are on the hook for the remainder of his $1.75 million salary, minus the league minimum should he find his way back to the majors. Considering his previous track record with Milwaukee, and the number of teams desperately trying to shore up their bullpens, Thornburg may get another look somewhere.

It just will not happen in Boston. Even though their own bullpen is in shambles, the Boston Red Sox have moved on from Tyler Thornburg.