Relegated to the Boston Red Sox bullpen, struggles on the mound continue for former Cy Young Award winner, Corey Kluber.

It is very difficult to watch Cy Young Award winning pitchers decline in productivity.

Corey Kluber, 37, can’t out pitch the normal human aging process.

Throughout his career, it is beyond comprehension how many pitches have taxed the shoulder, the elbow and the forearm of every professional baseball pitcher.

How many pitches has a professional pitcher thrown during his career? It hurts just to think about it.

Age and strain caused by constantly throwing a baseball take their toll.

Now, in his 14th year as a starter, right-hander Corey Kluber has been assigned to the bullpen of the Boston Red Sox.

After starting nine games this season, Red Sox manager Alex Cora had little choice regarding Kluber’s pitching role.

In his last start with Boston against the San Diego Padres May 21, 2023, Kluber went just 2.1 innings. He yielded 3 hits and 5 runs, but only 1 was earned. He struck out 1 and walked 3.

The Red Sox lost the game, 7-0.

Kluber headed to the bullpen with a record of 2-6. He held an ERA of 6.26 and a 1.53 WHIP in 41.2 innings pitched.

This writer spoke with Kluber when the Red Sox visited the Arizona Diamondbacks May 26-28. Kluber responded to the move in his usual, professional manner. He did not pitch in the series, but he was still upbeat about continuing to pitch.

He told Christopher Smith of MassLive, “There’s no denying if you look at the body of work to this point in time. It hasn’t been to the standard I expect out of myself, or obviously, I’m sure what the team expected out of me.”

That was basically what Kluber told this writer.

Since moving to the bullpen, Kluber has not appeared in a game.

The Red Sox placed Kluber on the Paternity List May 30.

As of the start of play June 2, Mr. Kluber has not pitched in 11 days.

About Corey Kluber:

To this scout, Kluber could teach a class in pitching mechanics, mound acumen, and professional demeanor. He’s a class act, to say the least.

This scout observed Kluber for nine years in spring training, in the regular season, and in the postseason while he pitched for the Cleveland Indians.

Kluber, 6-4, and 215 pounds, was always as “tough as nails.” He would approach a hitter as he should; with respect, but with the idea the hitter was trying to take food off his table.

A no-nonsense guy on the mound, in his prime, Kluber was a master at pitch sequencing.

He would mix and match among a devastating array of fastballs, sliders, cutters, and changeups.

Every one of his pitches had a purpose. It was either to dispatch the hitter, or set-up the hitter for the pitch that would finish him off. He was pensive and thoughtful on the mound. Always.

According to Brooksbaseball.net, in his best Cleveland days, Kluber would sit between 91-93 with his four-seam and sinking fastballs. He was consistent.

Now, in 2023, Kluber’s fastball sits at 88.67 MPH. That decline in velocity is drastic.

The decline has led Kluber to become more of a breaking ball pitcher, relying upon his sinker 31.59%, his slider 26.30%, his cutter 21.98%, his changeup, 15.66%, and his four-seam fastball, once a huge part of his arsenal, only 2.4% of the time.

Consider that in September 2011, Kluber threw his four-seam fastball on 40.45% of his pitches.

What Now For Corey Kluber?

Corey Kluber was an All Star three times; in 2017, 2018, and 2019, with Cleveland.

Kluber has thrown 200 or more innings five times; in 2014, 2105, 2016, 2017, and 2018.

Kluber was drafted and signed by the San Diego Padres in the 4th round of the 2007 draft.

He was traded to the Cleveland Indians on July 31, 2020.

Kluber has pitched at the major league level with the Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers, New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays, and now, the Boston Red Sox.

The future looks murky at best for Kluber remaining at the big league level.

To this scout, Corey Kluber would make an excellent major league pitching coach.

A wise general manager might look to Kluber for help with young pitchers. He can assist them in developing their repertoire and teach them the art of pitching.

They would be learning from a true craftsman. A master.

Father Time has tapped the shoulder of Corey Kluber. However, as the professional he is, Kluber will handle whatever comes his way with a good attitude and great self confidence.