BOSTON -- If Jonathan Papelbon pitches again this season, it won't be for the Boston Red Sox.
With Wednesday marking the deadline for players to be eligible to appear on a postseason roster, the Red Sox have not heard from Papelbon and won't keep waiting around, president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski told ESPN.com.
"We have not had any conversations," Dombrowski said, "so we assume he is not going to play."
Citing a major league source, WEEI.com reported that Papelbon doesn't plan to sign with any team Wednesday.
Papelbon requested his release from the Washington Nationals and was cut loose on August 13. The Red Sox contacted the veteran reliever, who holds the franchise record with 219 saves from 2005 through 2011, with manager John Farrell even communicating with Papelbon directly.
But with Papelbon remaining unsigned, the odds that he will pitch again this year are rapidly diminishing, especially because a player must be in an organization by August 31 in order to be eligible for the postseason.
The Red Sox are seeking bullpen help, specifically a setup man who can handle the eighth inning. They acquired veteran reliever Brad Ziegler in July, but Farrell prefers not to use the submarining right-hander against left-handed batters.
Papelbon posted a 4.37 ERA in 37 appearances for the Nationals, allowing 37 hits and 14 walks in 35 innings. He gave up nine runs (eight earned) in 3⅓ innings over his final five appearances and hasn't pitched since August 6.
"Now it would take time for him to get in shape unless he has been throwing somewhere on a regular basis," Dombrowski said.