NEW YORK - The bullpen needs an overhaul but Robbie Ross Jr. has earned another look.
Ross is closing because the Red Sox have no one else, with both Junichi Tazawa and Koji Uehara sidelined for the remainder of the season. And frankly, some of Ross's successful saves have been wild and wooly affairs, with balls hit hard and some leads shaved.
But while the Red Sox look to blow up the bullpen and start over, Ross should return. Not as closer, of course -- that role will go to Uehara again, or perhaps someone else obtained in a trade, who would push Uehara back to a set-up role.
Still, Ross can be of some use as lefty with some velocity. Not every reliever in the bullpen has to have lights-out, closer-caliber stuff. He can be valuable as a sixth or seventh inning weapon, one who can provide multiple innings at times.