According to Michael Vega of the Boston Globe, the Red Sox made a pretty significant roster prior to tonight’s game.
“The Red Sox just announced they have placed John Lackey on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right elbow.”
As Troy described in his article earlier today, Lackey’s struggled in every aspect of the game. His velocity’s down; his location is terrible; and his fastball is straight as an arrow. While it’s not clear if Lackey’s hitting the DL for a legitimate injury or to try and get his head on straight, one thing’s for sure: it’s definitely needed. Something is clearly wrong with the big Texan, and continuing to send him out there to be slaughtered isn’t going to help him turn it around.
Let’s take a look at some of his peripherals.
- Strikeouts? Check. While he hasn’t been a big strikeout pitcher in a few years, his K/9 rate has plummeted this season; sitting at an alarmingly low rate of 4.32. His career rate is 7.06. Even worse? He’s fooling no one. His whiff rate is 6.2% overall.
- Walks? Check. Typically a pitcher known for solid control, his BB/9 rate has skyrocketed to 4.12. His career rate is 2.72.
- Ground balls? Check. In every season since 2004, Lackey produced a GB% between 43-46%. This season? An abysmal 33.8%. His career rate is 43.3%.
When you put it all together, you get a pitcher who’s produced a 2-5 record with an 8.01 ERA (5.30 FIP), and a brutal 19/18 K/BB ratio in 39-1/3 innings. Maybe it’s just me, but this isn’t what I envisioned with the Red Sox gave him a five year $82.5M contract prior to the 2010 season.
Replacing Lackey on the active 25-man roster, the Red Sox have called up right-handed relief pitcher Scott Atchison. (He pitched in relief of Diasuke Matsuzaka tonight.) In 21-2/3 innings this season for Pawtucket, Atchison has been very effective posting a 1.25 ERA and a sparkling 23/1 K/BB ratio. Despite being a favorite of Francona, he’ll likely be asked to pitch mop-up duty for the time being.
While it hasn’t been announced yet, many have speculated that Tim Wakefield will assume Lackey’s spot in the rotation. Considering Wake hasn’t pitched since pitching 1-1/3 innings in relief in a May 11th appearance in Toronto, he’s certainly well rested.