TAMPA, Fla. -- In the wake of Daniel Bard's atrocious start recently, one American League scout said the Red Sox are making a mistake by making him a starter.
"Bard should be in the pen,'' the A.L. scout said. "He's a thrower, not a pitcher. And he's had success in the pen. I'd have made him the closer once (Jonathan) Papelbon left.''
Bard allowed seven runs on six hits and four walks in 2 2/3 innings, inspiring new Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine to say, "He's probably had better days.''
An N.L. scout agreed but said he figures the Red Sox are committed to Bard in the rotation for maybe half a year. Both scouts see Felix Doubront winning the fifth spot in the rotation, with Alfredo Aceves, a victim of his own versatility, being used mainly in the pen.
Valentine is said to love Andrew Miller and Aceves. But Valentine is more worried about his pen than his rotation. So the scouts may be right; Aceves may be stuck in the pen.
Ironically, Bard got his promotion to the rotation after struggling in the bullpen last September.
