A new role didn’t instantly spark better results for Walker Buehler.

Recently removed from the starting rotation, Buehler made his first appearance out of the Boston Red Sox bullpen on Sunday night. The 31-year-old allowed two hits, a walk and two runs over 2 1/3 innings in a 7-2 loss to the New York Yankees.

After the game, per The Athletic’s Jen McCaffrey , Red Sox manager Alex Cora assessed Buehler’s initial outing as a reliever.

“The most important thing with him is how he’s going to bounce back,” Cora said. “This is a first for him, and we have to be patient in the beginning. I don’t want to say ease his way into the role, but we have to be smart, because we want to keep him healthy.”

Boston trailed 5-2 when Cora inserted Buehler into the game with two out in the bottom of the

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