Workman is pleased that he was able to figure out the necessary adjustments needed during training camp, which sharpened his breaking ball and added velocity to his fastball, the Providence Journal reports. This is part of the development of young pitchers -- whether a starter or reliever -- knowing when you're off mechanically and learning how to adjust. The progress Workman made in the second half of spring training puts him first in line for call-up should a need arise in Boston's bullpen.

Workman was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket on Friday, Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe reports. Manager John Farrell recently praised Workman, saying he was pleased with the right-hander's performance and increased velocity in his final couple Grapefruit League outings, but Workman's overall body of work this spring (6.43 ERA, 1.57 WHIP) left a lot to be desired. Workman will remain in a relief role with Pawtucket and figures to get an opportunity with the big club in the first half of the season.

Red Sox manager John Farrell has been pleased with Workman's last few outings, noting the right-hander has shown increased fastball velocity, the Boston Globe reports. Farrell said Workman's arm slot had crept up and he was throwing more over the top, minimizing his velocity, but there's been an adjustment in the past week. Workman's probably on the outside looking in when it comes to the final spots in the bullpen, but the turnaround of late is an encouraging sign going forward. We'll most likely be seeing him up with Boston at some point this season.

Workman's fastball velocity is down this spring, ESPN Boston reports. The right-hander allowed four runs (three earned) on four hits and a walk in one inning Tuesday. Workman's top velocity isn't very over-powering so when it's down and he mis-locates, pitches are hit hard. We expect him to open the season at Triple-A Pawtucket where he'll pitch out of the bullpen this season.

The Red Sox are viewing Workman as a reliever who can thrive in the high-leverage innings, the Boston Herald reports. A Workman, a former starter, seems ideally suited a long-relief role, but the Red Sox think he has the make-up for a setup role. And they think is low-90s fastball can play up in shorter stints. Of course, with Edward Mujica and Junichi Tazawa on board, there's no room for another setup man in Boston at this time. So we'll probably see Workman in that role for Triple-A Pawtucket.

Workman, who is preparing for the 2015 season as a reliever, is not guaranteed a spot in Boston's bullpen, the Boston Herald reports.Workman was a starter for much of 2014, but results were not good. The change to the pen, the club hopes, will allow Workman to throw harder with more consistency over shorter bursts out of the pen. But the Red Sox made a few offseason acquisitions designed to bolster the pen -- Anthony Varvaro, Alexi Ogando and Robbie Ross -- so nothing is being given to Workman, who has been a competent reliever in the past for Boston.

Workman will begin spring training as a reliever, WEEI.com reports. This was widely expected after Workman struggled to a 1-10 record and a 5.17 ERA in 19 appearances (15 starts) for Boston last season, but manager John Farrell confirmed that the right-hander will indeed work out of the bullpen to begin the spring. Workman didn't fare much better while working primarily in a relief role in 2013, posting a 4.97 ERA and 1.42 WHIP over 41.2 innings.

Workman has been removed from the starting rotation and will pitch out of the bullpen, if at all, the Boston Globe reports. Workman is 0-9 with a 6.90 ERA in his last 10 appearances, nine of them starts. He's thrown 148 innings this season, but has appeared worn down much of the year.

Workman took the loss at Pittsburgh on Thursday, although he didn't pitch that badly, allowing three runs -- two earned -- and seven hits in five innings. He also managed to strike out six batters. Workman, who has lost 10 consecutive decisions, has shown very little consistency this season, as is the case with some younger pitchers. He'll make just one more start this year, facing Tampa Bay at home next Thursday.

Workman lasted just three innings Wednesday against the Orioles, giving up six runs (five earned) on six hits and three walks, while fanning three in the loss. Workman has now dropped a whopping nine consecutive decisions, with his lone win on the year coming all the way back on June 10. A second-round pick in 2010, Workman allowed just two earned runs over seven innings in his final three starts for Triple-A Pawtucket, and despite his struggles at the major league level, the Red Sox, in full evaluation mode, figure to keep him as part of their six-man rotation.