SportTicker: Red Sox make pitching moves

Prior to Monday’s game with the Minnesota Twins, manager Terry Francona announced righthander Justin Masterson will be converted to a reliever. The team will recall Clay Buchholz later this week to take Masterson’s spot in the rotation.

“We think getting Justin getting acclimated to the bullpen has a chance to really help our ballclub,” Francona said. “There’s a couple of ways to do it. You could just give him the ball and send him out there. I don’t think that’s the best way to develop somebody to pitch meaningful innings. So we sat him down and talked about it.”

Masterson on Monday was optioned to Class AAA Pawtucket. Infielder Jeff Bailey was recalled to take his spot.