Drawing the start Monday in place of an injured Jake Peavy, Red Sox pitcher Brandon Workman allowed five earned runs on five hits, including two home runs, while striking out four in 2 1/3 innings in his team's 7-6 loss to the Pirates.
"I thought [Workman] showed good definition with three different pitches, but when he mislocated or elevated a couple times, they made him pay for it," Red Sox manager John Farrell said Monday. "But we got him out for the start of the third inning, and as we continue to stretch him out, we got him to 45 or so pitches, it was a solid work day, even though the results might not be what we anticipated."
Workman was a starting pitcher by trade coming up through the minors, but he made just three starts and 17 relief appearances in his Red Sox debut last season. However, the team is going to stretch him out this spring as preparation for a potential starting role.