Struggling Red Sox Rookie 'Tries Not To Worry' About Losing Roster Spot

Struggling Red Sox Rookie ‘Tries Not To Worry’ About Losing Roster Spot originally appeared on NESN.
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Boston Red Sox rookie reliever Ryan Watson has had his fair share of struggles in his rookie season. 

The Red Sox selected the 28-year-old in the Rule 5 draft this offseason, which requires the rookie reliever to spend the regular season on Boston’s active roster or be designated for assignment. Watson has posted a 4.95 ERA in 43 2/3 innings pitched across 26 appearances this season, but has shown flashes of potential.

Though he was a Rule 5 draft pick, Watson’s struggles this season left the reliever wondering whether he was in danger of losing his roster spot, a thought he “tries not to worry about.”

“But you try to put that on the back burner,” Watson said, per MassLive’s Christopher Smith. “Maybe a little bit found myself thinking that way and stuff, and I just quickly tried to move on from that because I don’t feel like it’s a good way to approach it. It’s not really a controllable thing of mine. I don’t have control.

“My performance, obviously, I have some control over, so that’s the only thing I’m really worried about. Everything else is really out of my control. So I try not to worry about it too much. I’m just trying to build confidence, build on each outing. Some are better than others obviously. Really just trying to go day by day and just build — try to get a little bit better each day and build from outing to outing. Kind of gain that confidence that I feel like I’ve gained. I feel like I’ve gained a lot more confidence since the beginning of the season.”

The Red Sox have not been using the 28-year-old in high-leverage situations amid his struggles, which should help Watson build his confidence in lower-pressure situations. 

“It’s my role right now, and I’m fine with that,” Watson said, per Smith. “Just trying to do whatever I can to help this team. And if that’s coming into games that are lopsided one way or the other to save guys like Whit (Garrett Whitlock), (Justin) Slaten, Greg (Weissert), guys like that, I’m happy to pitch in those lopsided games. I’m more than happy to do it.”

Boston clearly believes in Watson’s potential, keeping him on the active roster throughout this entire season despite his struggles. Not every outing is going to go great for the rookie reliever, but if he continues building confidence, he can become a solid piece out of the bullpen for the Red Sox.

More MLB: Red Sox Pitcher Open To Waiving No-Trade Clause If Team Wants To Move Him