BOSTON — Walker Buehler, who got the final out in the Los Angeles Dodgers' World Series victory last season and was expected to be a key member of the Boston rotation this year, was released on Friday after the Red Sox concluded he couldn't help their playoff push from the bullpen.

Buehler, 31, has struggled since signing a $21.05 million contract with Boston, going 7-7 with a 5.45 ERA. He made 22 starts before he was demoted to the bullpen last week; in his only relief appearance since earning a save in Game 5 of the Series, he allowed two runs in 2 1/3 innings of a loss to the New York Yankees on Sunday.

“It's tough, but this is where we're at,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said before Friday night's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. “I know it didn't go his way, or our way. He expecte

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