RealGM

A bump ahead for bullpen
Timlin return will force move
By Gordon Edes, Globe Staff | June 6, 2007

OAKLAND, Calif. -- As you might imagine, a leading topic of conversation in the Red Sox bullpen these days is Mike Timlin's imminent return. A roster spot will have to be created after Timlin completes his rehab assignment in Pawtucket and rejoins the ball club this weekend, which is what the Sox are planning at the moment. Another reliever will likely be sacrificed to make room for the 41-year-old Timlin.

"Whatever happens," veteran reliever Brendan Donnelly said, "it probably won't be fair. That's the nature of the game.

"It's a good problem for Boston to have, but baseball is not always fair. No one is deserving of it in this room. Everyone here has earned their right to be in this room."

The easiest move would be to return Javier Lopez to Pawtucket; he has options remaining, which means the Sox wouldn't have to expose him to waivers and risk losing him. But Lopez has pitched very well since his summons from Pawtucket, allowing runs in just three of his 14 outings. Lefthanded batters are hitting just .214 against him, and he has stranded 12 of 14 inherited runners, which is in some ways a better measure than ERA of how a reliever is faring.

"Javier is too valuable just to let go," Donnelly said, "especially with the quality of lefthanded hitters in this league. But that's a question for Theo [ Epstein] and Tito [Francona] and John [Farrell] to figure out. No one in this room wants to play GM.

"But do we talk about it? Of course. We're human. We're teammates. And this is something that's going to affect someone in this room. Sure, we may sometimes try to play GM, but I learned a long time ago that's impossible."

As with any roster decision, there are only a few options. Waive a player, trade a player, designate a player for assignment, which ultimately could lead to that player's release, or have the good timing for someone to be injured, which would buy the team some time.

Based on performance, Joel Pi