Boston Closer Papelbon Says His Season Is Over

Jonathan Papelbon’s outstanding rookie season probably is over -- and his days as Boston’s closer could be too.

Sidelined by a sore shoulder since Sept. 1, Papelbon said Friday he doesn’t expect to pitch again this season, and he’s already planning a switch to a starting role next year.

“I’m probably going to be done for the year right now, unless something crazy happens,” Papelbon said. “I just think it’s smart, especially with what happened to [Francisco] Liriano. He’s a young pitcher. If we were in this thing still, I’d go out and pitch.”

Liriano, another contender for AL rookie of the year, was sidelined for a month because of an ailing elbow. The Minnesota Twins left-hander tried to return from the injury but left his comeback start Wednesday after only 28 pitches, saying he heard a pop in his elbow.

Papelbon said the plan to become a starter next year is not definite -- but he was already thinking about joining the Red Sox rotation alongside Curt Schilling, Josh Beckett and Tim Wakefield.

The 25-year-old Papelbon has 35 saves in 41 chances. He is 4-2 with an 0.92 earned-run average in 59 appearances with 75 strikeouts and only 13 walks in 68 1/3 innings.

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Andy Pettitte will not make his scheduled start for the Houston Astros Sunday against Philadelphia because an elbow injury. He left in the third inning of Tuesday’s game in St. Louis after straining a flexor muscle in his left elbow.... The Detroit Tigers claimed first baseman-outfielder Matt Stairs off waivers from the Texas Rangers.