Justin Germano To Be Designated For Assignment As Jacoby Ellsbury Returns

The Red Sox will designate Justin Germano for assignment to make room for the returning Jacoby Ellsbury on both the 25-man and 40-man rosters.

Germano has been providing the Sox with rotation depth in Pawtucket for the most part this year, tearing up Triple-A competition to the tune of a 2.40 ERA and 5.54 K:BB. The opportunity just hasn't been there in the majors so far, however, despite plenty of injuries to the rotation. Whenever an injury or opening arose there was an Aaron Cook in an opt-out situation, Franklin Morales ready to emerge, or Daisuke Matsuzaka ready to make four appearances and then leave us blissfully in peace.

Germano did finally get a shot to throw a few major league innings, saving the bullpen after the aforementioned Mr. Morales' unfortunate 3.1 inning performance against the Yankees. The innings went extraordinarily well, too, with Germano striking out seven batters and allowing not a single run in completing the last 6 innings of the game.

Unfortunately, this is just the wrong team for Germano. The bullpen is full and getting fuller, and the rotation is already at six arms right now. If the Sox can't find a trade partner and he can find a team--which seems quite possible--then he's earned his opportunity.

Moving Germano will keep the Sox from having to make a more difficult personnel decision for now, but with Clay Buchholz on the way back tomorrow, it will have to be made soon all-the-same.