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08:14 AM ET 03.18 | For the second time in three outings, Jonathan Papelbon failed to get through an inning. With more than two weeks left in spring training, he is not concerned. "Nope, not one bit," Papelbon said when asked if he was worried with his recent results. The right-hander gave up three runs on one hit, three walks and a hit batter in just one-third of an inning last week at Minnesota. After a solid showing against the New York Yankees on Monday, he failed to get the last three outs on Thursday after entering the ninth inning of an 8-1 game against the New York Mets. Papelbon hit the first Met he faced before getting two quick outs. Consecutive walks loaded the bases and a double by Justin Turner drove in all three runners. Another double made it 8-5 and Papelbon was pulled before he could throw too many more pitches.

Jonathan Papelbon, Getty Images

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March 18, 2011 08:44 AM ET

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QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 08:35 AM ET 03.18 by Why So Serious?

He's simply auditiioning for the Yankees who will sign him next year

As a starter. But only after a steady diet of Joba rules.

Hoos Your Daddy

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March 18, 2011 09:01 AM ET

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it'll be interesting to see how he does once the season starts...pap went on to say his mechanics are just a little off and he knows what it is and what needs to be done...we shall see.

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March 18, 2011 09:04 AM ET

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QUOTE(#2):

Originally posted 08:44 AM ET 03.18 by Hoos Your Daddy

As a starter. But only after a steady diet of Joba rules.

Papelbon back as a starter?

He'll probably get shelled more having to go through a lineup 2 or 3 times.

brotha68

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March 18, 2011 09:05 AM ET

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QUOTE(#5):

Originally posted 09:01 AM ET 03.18 by 20

it'll be interesting to see how he does once the season starts...pap went on to say his mechanics are just a little off and he knows what it is and what needs to be done...we shall see.

What did he say last year while getting shelled...?

brotha68

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March 18, 2011 09:06 AM ET

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QUOTE(#6):

Originally posted 09:04 AM ET 03.18 by brotha68

Papelbon back as a starter?He'll probably get shelled more having to go through a lineup 2 or 3 times.

that would be my worry as well...better to leave him as the closer

morning all! :)

barkeep

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March 18, 2011 09:09 AM ET

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QUOTE(#8):

Originally posted 09:05 AM ET 03.18 by brotha68

What did he say last year while getting shelled...?

Please pass the vasoline

Piltdown Rabbit

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March 18, 2011 09:13 AM ET

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Red Sox have Jenks now. They're set.

ChiSoxFan

Chicago , IL

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March 18, 2011 09:15 AM ET

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QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 08:45 AM ET 03.18 by Onetallflyer

The right arm in the pic looks familiar. Papelbon will be just fine.

Pappelbon, will be on a very short leash this year. With Bard and Jenks aboard, Tito has options.

jnorman41

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March 18, 2011 09:17 AM ET

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QUOTE(#9):

Originally posted 09:06 AM ET 03.18 by barkeep

that would be my worry as well...better to leave him as the closermorning all! :)

Don't forget, he made it to the majors as a starter. They converted him into a reliever out of necessity.

jnorman41

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March 18, 2011 09:22 AM ET

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QUOTE(#12):

Originally posted 09:15 AM ET 03.18 by jnorman41

Pappelbon, will be on a very short leash this year. With Bard and Jenks aboard, Tito has options.

Let us not kid ourselves, Jenks isn't a good option.

ChiSoxFan

Chicago , IL

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March 18, 2011 09:23 AM ET

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QUOTE(#14):

Originally posted 09:22 AM ET 03.18 by ChiSoxFan

Let us not kid ourselves, Jenks isn't a good option.

hasn't really been for a couple years now

barkeep

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March 18, 2011 09:27 AM ET

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QUOTE(#9):

Originally posted 09:06 AM ET 03.18 by barkeep

that would be my worry as well...better to leave him as the closermorning all! :)

Morning barkeep.

BALLS!!!

clemtheslowson

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March 18, 2011 09:31 AM ET

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QUOTE(#14):

Originally posted 09:22 AM ET 03.18 by ChiSoxFan

Let us not kid ourselves, Jenks isn't a good option.

I can't quibble with his performance in spring training so far. I'm just going by the numbers.

Closing is a fleeting ability; it comes and it goes.

As for being a starter... The Sox had planned all along to make him a starter, but they never had anyone to fill the closer shoes. Paps stayed there because of the lack of options. Now that he isn't an option (at this point in time), it seems fair to me to play around with putting Bard and Jenks in those shoes as well until the dust settles. Nothing like a little bit of friendly competition.

Hoos Your Daddy

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March 18, 2011 09:31 AM ET

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QUOTE(#15):

Originally posted 09:23 AM ET 03.18 by barkeep

hasn't really been for a couple years now

exactly. velocity goes down every year. body fat goes up. bad goatee gets more bleached. just bad scenario all around.

ChiSoxFan

Chicago , IL

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March 18, 2011 09:33 AM ET

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QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 08:35 AM ET 03.18 by Why So Serious?

He's simply auditiioning for the Yankees who will sign him next year

No chance. He would fit nicely in Philly though.

SithLord

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March 18, 2011 09:33 AM ET

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QUOTE(#18):

Originally posted 09:31 AM ET 03.18 by ChiSoxFan

bad goatee gets more bleached

It's less weird than Brian Wilson of the Giants with his Lady Clairol beard.

Fat doesn't bother me as long as he gets outs. I'm not in need of a boyfriend.