Beset with the worst ERA in the American League and a starting rotation that too often can't get past the fifth inning, the Red Sox fired pitching coach Juan Nieves Thursday.
The team did not immediately name a replacement.
Nieves was hired in November of 2012 and in his first season, oversaw a staff that helped the Red Sox win the World Series. That year, the club had a 3.79 ERA, the lowest mark for the franchise since 2002.
But the team followed that success with a last-place finish in 2014 and the team is off to a poor start through the first 28 games of 2015.
The Red Sox' pitching has been a major disappointment. The team added three established starters in the off-season -- two by trade (Rick Porcello, Wade Miley) and one free agent signing ( Justin Masterson).
But the Sox have a league-worst 4.86 staff ERA and their starters also ranked dead last with a 5.54 ERA.
When Justin Masterson failed to get out of the fifth inning, it marked the eighth time in 28 games that has happened this season.
Additionally, a number of young pitching prospects have stalled when trying to make the transition to the major leagues.
Brandon Workman was an effective reliever in the final two months of 2013 and again in the postseason, but took a major step backward last season.
A number of other prospects -- including Allen Webster, Rubby De La Rosa and Anthony Ranaudo -- all stumbled in 2014 and were all dealt away last winter.