Ryan Dempster will not pitch in 2014. The right hander was set to make $13.25 million this season for the Red Sox so his decision to stay at home will save the team a considerable amount of money. It will also place Boston further under the luxury tax.
In opting to sit out Dempster cites physical reasons as well as a desire to stay home with his children.
BREAKING: Ryan Dempster will not pitch for #RedSox in 2014 due to physical reasons and his desire to spend more time with his kids.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 16, 2014
The Red Sox will now fill his rotation spot with a young arm. He had a 4.57 ERA in 171 1/3 innings a year ago and was almost non-existent in the post season as he pitched out of the bullpen for a total of three innings.
We still expect Dempster to show up and get his World Series ring, but that could be the last we see of him.
In the meantime the Red Sox will place him on the restricted list.
