Although Roenis Elias is making his Red Sox debut on Tuesday as a starter, the team must let him also work in relief this spring, as it would allow him to demonstrate why he may be a better option than Tommy Layne as the second left-hander in the Red Sox bullpen.
The 27-year-old Elias was acquired by the Red Sox from the Seattle Mariners in the Wade Miley trade this past winter. A starter his entire professional career, including the last two seasons with the Mariners, Elias presents the Red Sox with options.