But when it's Aug. 6, the deficit in the playoff race is five-and-a-half games, Hideki Okajima is injured and there is a four-gamer with the New York Yankees, such long-term plans are rendered obsolete.
Doubront made just one two-inning appearance as a reliever Tuesday at home against Durham before getting his third call-up Friday, replacing the disabled Okajima.
"Kind of hoping to maybe lengthen that acclimation a little more," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said of the plan to convert Doubront from a starter into a reliever. "So much for development. Here's the Yankees — go get 'em, kid."
And with that. Doubront's extremely abbreviated transition from promising left-handed starter to we-need-you-right-now reliever was essentially complete. He was with the club prior to the opener with New York on Friday.
The soft-spoken Doubront, 23, was even stunned by the news, fully expecting to get more work at the minor league level.
When asked if he feels he had enough work in preparation, he smiled and said, "No."
"Yeah, very surprised," Doubront added.
While that might frighten some Red Sox fans, the club would never make a move without a degree of confidence. In Doubront's three starts in place of injured Boston starters earlier this year, his numbers were not eye-popping, but his poise, demeanor and complete lack of awe at the situation showed the organization that he's just about ready to make the leap.
Doubront, who will not be used as a lefty specialist but more in the same role that Okajima has held, was 1-2 with a 4.11 ERA as a starter with the Red Sox, striking out 10 and walking eight in 15 1/3 innings.
However, his next start may not come until 2011. For now, out of necessity, Boston will give Doubront a chance to learn on the fly.
