Sitting on the outside and looking in is not what pitchers who have honed their skills as starters wish to do, but, unfortunately, circumstances have a nasty way of doing just that. Both right-hander Hector Velazquez and left-hander Brian Johnson are faced with that situation. Both now get pitching crumbs.
The situation for both is simply a pitching logjam within the rotation. The Red Sox have talent and depth and that talent certainly has a performance record that will keep both Velazquez and Johnson on the sidelines – maybe.
Injuries happen and the two that recently returned to the rotation – Eduardo Rodriguez and Drew Pomeranz – both have far too much experience with rehab.