The Red Sox are going through some tough times right now as the team continues to not only underperform, but lose constantly. Throughout the entire season the Boston bullpen has been taxed due to a struggling pitching staff that not only gives up a ton of runs, but can't go deep in games. Roster moves involving the pitching staff have just seemed to happen every couple of days in 2015, as the team attempts to keep a weak bullpen fresh. A couple of roster moves were made before the season finale against the Chicago White Sox on Thursday, in order to lend some help to a pen that badly needs it.

2013 World Series hero Daniel Nava burst onto the scene all the way back in 2010 hitting a grand slam in his very first at bat. His story of what he went through to make his baseball dream come true seemed to spread like wildfire. Fans across the sport rooted for Nava, he was a stand up guy who never took an opportunity for granted in the majors. He dominated the 2013 season hitting .303, bounced back in 2014 after a rough start to the season to hit .270, but in 2015 hasn't found that success from the past. In 29 games this season, Nava has put together an ugly .152 batting while dealing with a thumb injury that kept him out for nearly two months. Now with the Red Sox needing fresh arms in the bullpen, the 1B/OF was designated for assignment so that reliever Jonathan Aro could come up. There's a small chance Nava could still pass through waivers, but with a track record like he has, it's likely someone will take a flier on him.

Reliever Jonathan Aro is back up for the second time this season to help the aid the bullpen. In 4.2 innings with the Major League club this season, the righty has put together an ugly 11.57 ERA. Aro has posted very strong numbers down in the minors this season, at both Triple-A and Double-A. The 24-year-old will likely just serve in a mop-up rule until he gets adjusted to pitching in the bigs. The bullpen just needs guys who can eat innings at the moment, as the starting rotation struggles to go late in games. If Aro pitches well while with the Sox, he could earn himself a shot in the bullpen for at least the rest of the season to prove what he can do.

Lefty Tommy Layne was optioned down to Pawtucket prior to the game as well, with Jean Machi taking his place on the Major League roster. Layne has been solid for the Red Sox this season posting a 3.51 ERA even while John Farrell continued to use him in the wrong situations. Tommy is a great LOOGY, but using him against righties puts him in a very tough position to succeed. Farrell seemed to trust him a bit too much in certain situations this season. With the bullpen being as taxed as it is, Layne will likely be back at some point this season. He can fill a few roles for a bullpen that badly needs some consistency. 

Jean Machi joins the Red Sox after being DFA'd by the San Francisco Giants. The righty is having a tough year, registering an ugly 5.14 ERA with a 1.49 WHIP across 35 innings. Prior to this season Machi had been a great reliever for the Giants, compiling a 2.49 ERA from 2013-2014. With two months left in the 2015 season, the Red Sox could possibly get Machi back on track for 2016. If they're able to do that, Jean could find himself in a role with the team next year. At the very least, he'll help the Red Sox eat innings in what has become another losing season.

Over the next month there will likely be even more roster moves as the Red Sox call up some of their prospects before the off-season. It's important they figure out what they have for 2016, prior to making any huge moves for the future.

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About the author
Tyler Milliken
Hi my names Tyler, I'm just a guy who fell in love with the sport of baseball and the Boston Red Sox. I am a 18 year old at Curry College who has the hopes to one day be a well respected baseball journalist within this industry. Check me out on twitter @tyler_milliken for constant baseball debates and news. On this page my articles will range all the way from news across the league to my opinion on what teams should do involving prospects and potential moves. I Hope you all enjoy my work and thanks for checking it out! Have a nice day!