Red Sox reliever Daniel Bard will have the opporunity to become a member of the starting rotation.

Manager Bobby Valentine said Bard would “get innings as a starter” in spring training and general manager Ben Cherington confirmed, according to WEEI.

“He’ll come to camp as a starter,” Cherington said. “Daniel knows we’ll do everything we can to help him succeed in that role and ultimately he’s ready to do whatever it takes to win games.”

Valentine also said Bard would become the closer if things don’t pan out in spring training.

“I told him to prepare to be a starter and if that, in fact, does not happen to be ready and willing to be our closer,” Valentine said.