ATLANTA — Right-hander Justin Masterson is ready to return to the Boston Red Sox. In what role, though, remains to be seen.
The bullpen seems the most likely.
“We’ve got a decision to be made in the coming days,” manager John Farrell said Wednesday night. “I think he’s proven he’s ready to come back. It depends on what role we put him in.”
Masterson made seven starts for the Red Sox and was 2-2 with a 6.37 ERA when he went on the disabled list May 14 with right shoulder tendinitis.
The veteran pitched well in four minor league rehab outings, but his rotation spot as been successfully filled by rookie left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez, who is 2-1 with a 3.55 ERA in four starts.
“We haven’t ruled out that being in the bullpen,” Farrell said when asked what role Masterson might have when he returns.
“We’ve talked to him, yes,” the manager added. “He understands that this decision isn’t about just one person. What’s best for us is the direction we’ll take at that time.”
Masterson, signed to a one-year deal as a free agent in the offseason, worked six innings from Triple-A Pawtucket on Tuesday and allowed four hits and two runs. He had a 3.44 ERA over 18 1/3 innings in his four minor league outings.
The 30-year-old saw time in the Boston bullpen in 2008 and 2009 before being traded to Cleveland. He won 37 games over three seasons with the Indians from 2011 to 2013.