FORT MYERS, Fla. –– Alfredo Aceves is the odd man out of the Red Sox' starting rotation race.

When Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine revealed the plan to start Felix Doubront and Daniel Bard in the rotation, the declaration ultimately signaled Aceves' return to the bullpen.

Two days earlier, Aceves expressed his desire to crack the rotation, saying "it's like a dream to start." Unfortunately for the 29-year-old, Valentine elected to go in a different direction.

"I like to be a dream maker, not a dream breaker," Valentine said. "He wasn't happy about it obviously and I told him he has a very, very important role on this team that I think he's one of the best pitchers in camp. Trying to figure out where it is we need him the most is very difficult. It's a perplexing problem."

By far, Aceves has posted better numbers this spring. With the exception of a horrendous start against the Phillies –– where he surrendered nine runs through three innings –– Aceves has dazzled in his other appearances, giving up just two runs.

Bard, meanwhile, has allowed three or more runs in each of his last four spring training starts. From Valentine's point of view, Aceves' value to the bullpen was simply too beneficial to sacrifice.

"As far as Ace is concerned, he did nothing –– he didn't lose the job," Valentine said. "It's just when we look at the situation with this team, it seems he has incredible value not being locked down one day."

In 55 appearances last season, Aceves tallied a 10-2 record with a 2.61 ERA. He made four starts in 2011.

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