Red Sox Reliever Greg Weissert Admits Struggles as Team Implements Bullpen Reset
Weissert acknowledges performance issues after allowing a run and zero outs against the Rays; organisation moves younger player to Triple-A in response
Boston Red Sox reliever Greg Weissert has publicly acknowledged a significant downturn in his form following a difficult start to the 2026 Major League Baseball season. After allowing a run and failing to record an out in relief against the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday, Weissert stated that his pitching struggles are not secret. The admission comes as his season earned run average has climbed to 5.52 across 17 appearances, a stark contrast to the 2.82 ERA he posted during the previous campaign.
The veteran hurler entered the game in the sixth inning replacing Jake Bennett but was unable to log a clean outing against the Rays. Following the match, Weissert did not mince his words when speaking to the media, describing his current output as poor. His public comments highlight the pressure mounting on the Boston bullpen, which has seen its effectiveness deteriorate despite a strong showing in the World Baseball Classic earlier in the year.
This current slump marks a sharp decline from Weissert's consistent contributions in 2024 and 2025. In 2024, he established himself as a key contributor with a 3.13 ERA across 62 appearances, while 2025 saw him post a career-best ERA with a 57-to-21 strikeout-to-walk ratio and 67 innings pitched. The rapid regression from those figures to a 4.91 ERA in the 16 outings prior to Thursday's game underscores the severity of the team's early-season challenges.
In response to the broader struggles within the pitching unit, the Red Sox organisation has reportedly decided to send a 25-year-old player down to Triple-A. This move is described as part of a reset strategy aimed at revitalising the bullpen and addressing the performance issues that have plagued the team since the start of the season. The decision reflects a broader institutional effort to recalibrate the roster following the disappointing results against the Rays.
Weissert's situation places him at the centre of a critical review for the Boston front office. While the organisation has taken steps to adjust the roster, the immediate focus remains on stabilising the relief corps. The team now faces the task of determining whether Weissert can return to the form that made him a monster for the franchise over the last two seasons or if further structural changes are required to secure the bullpen's future.
