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2007 Even after the Arroyo trade, a surplus of starters ticketed Papelbon for a setup role, his success out of the bullpen down the 2005 stretch having made such an impression on Terry Francona. When Foulke`s knees prevented the nominal closer from getting enough innings in spring training, Francona called Papelbon`s number, and after 10 saves in 10 April chances, there was no going back. Papelbon didn`t give up his first run until May 3, and by the time he gave up his fourth, he`d racked up 30 saves with the calendar showing August. Fatigue soon compromised his mechanics, and the team shut him down before Labor Day when an MRI showed a `transient subluxation event` (a.k.a. a tired rotator cuff). Amid much debate about his future role, Papelbon expressed a strong desire to return to the rotation in 2007 and the Sox brass concurred. Nothing less than the outcome of the AL East may ride on this decision. If Papelbon was guaranteed to be as dominant as a starter, the move would be a no-brainer, but all signs (including the dual PECOTAs above) suggest he would be greatly diminished by changing roles. Then again, the health of Papelbon`s shoulder may force the Red Sox`s hand. 2005 A dominating reliever at Mississippi State, Papelbon is another of the 2003 draft class doing well for himself in a thin system. His 153 strikeouts in 129.2 innings were impressive, though he was old for A-ball. He's a big boy—6'4", 230—who was getting by with just a deceptive mid-90s fastball before he decided to mix in his new change-up and breaking ball, to great results. He held up well under the starter workload in his first full pro season after being closely watched last year and will start 2005 in the rotation in Double-A.
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