Layne is throwing more curveballs and has incorporated a splitter against right-handed batters, Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal reports. "We talked in spring training about something slow to throw to righties," said Layne. "I was basically fastball-slider last year, so I picked up a split and I've thrown quite a few curveballs the last couple of weeks. Just those two offerings, having a third or fourth pitch if I need it, that's made a big difference."
The Red Sox have used Layne as a lefty-specialist the last two seasons and will continue to optimize him in the role, but there are times when he needs to face right-handers. Like last Friday, when David Price was bounced after 2.1 innings and Boston needed length. Layne pitched two scoreless innings against hitters from both sides of the plate. This season, he's limiting right-handed batters to a .294 slugging percentage and .584 OPS, a vast improvement over 2015 (.517, .950) and 2014 (.500, .929).