PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- Uncertainly surrounds the makeup of the Red Sox pitching staff in the final week of spring training.
Closer Koji Uehara is assured of starting the season on the disabled list, and starter Joe Kelly is virtually guaranteed to join him as he continues to rebuild arm strength following a bout with bicep tendinitis earlier this month.
Kelly will pitch in a minor-league game Wednesday, preserving the option of allowing the to backdate him on the DL and have him eligible to rejoin the Sox only a handful of games into the season.
With Uehara out and Kelly to follow, it was believed that the Sox would then take eight relievers for the first two series, since Opening Day starter Clay Buchholz could start the fourth game of the season, too, thanks to a scheduled off-day following the opener.
But now, a second scenario has emerged and is under consideration. The Sox are giving some thought to having knuckleballer Steven Wright break with the team and, instead of having Buchholz take his regular turn, have Wright take Kelly's start --- in one of the first two games in New York -- and allowing Buchholz to pitch with an extra day of rest.
Wright has had a strong spring, with a 1.32 ERA over five games -- three of them starts -- and the Sox like the idea of him providing a different look in the middle of a rotation.
The Sox have to balance the idea of having another lefty (Robbie Ross?) in the bullpen for two lefty-heavy lineups (Phillies, Yankees) against having Wright make a start.
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As it stands, six relievers are set for the Opening Day roster: Junichi Tazawa, Edward Mujica, Alexi Ogando, Anthony Varvaro, Craig Breslow and Tommy Layne.
In the running -- regardless of whether the Sox open with seven or eight relievers -- are righties Brandon Workman and Matt Barnes, along with Ross.
If the Sox take Wright, they can only take one of the three relievers menioned. If they stay with four starters, they can take two of the three.