Barnes not hip to injury
No timetable set for return of standout set-up reliever
In a bullpen that isn’t short on talent but lacks reliable options, the Red Sox just lost their top dog.
Matt Barnes, who is having a career year as the set-up guy to closer Craig Kimbrel, is out of action with left hip inflammation and hasn’t pitched in almost a week.
There is no timetable for his return, and the Sox must simply wait for the inflammation to die down before Barnes can throw again.
“There’s the discomfort of pitching with it a little bit,” he said. “The biggest thing is you kind of subconsciously compensate. We don’t want to do that. We want to make sure I’m completely healthy. We felt like this was the right time to do it.”
On Aug.28, he allowed four runs against the Marlins in his worst outing of the year. He’s allowed six runs in his last four outings, which has pushed his ERA from 2.62 to 3.49.
Still, his 1.20 WHIP is the lowest of his career and 14.2 strikeouts per nine innings is the highest he’s ever posted. His walk rate remains an issue, but he’s largely been able to avoid damage because he misses so many bats.
“He’s been grinding it out,” manager Alex Cora said. “For him to go out there and grind it out, it makes no sense for him or for the team. When we feel that the symptoms are not there, then we’ll decide what’s next.”
Strive to improve
Catcher Blake Swihart was at third base taking ground balls while second baseman Brandon Phillips was over at first base stretching to receive the throw.
This was the scene at Fenway Park a few hours before the Red Sox’ 5-3 loss to the Astros yesterday.
Cora isn’t done messing with his team.
Tonight, Cora might send out another brand new lineup card, this time with Phillips as the starting first baseman against left-hander
Dallas Keuchel.
“With Dallas, it looks like it’s like reverse splits, but actually the last month and a half he’s been dominating lefties,” Cora said. “So, might be a good chance that Brandon plays first (tonight) or DHs and he’ll be in the lineup. We’ll see.”
Mitch Moreland was 0-for-4 with two strikeouts Friday and 1-for-4 with two strikeouts yesterday. He’s in an extended slump that’s led to a .179 average since the All-Star break. He has just 10 extra-base hits in those 35 games.
The Sox aren’t giving up on him, but they have to see what else they have at first base. Steve Pearce is an option against lefties, and soon the Sox may have to see if there’s a better option vs. righties.
“It’s not lack of effort,” Cora said of Moreland’s struggles. “As far as health-wise, he feels better . . . . I feel he’s going to be back.”
If Phillips can stick at first base, J.D. Martinez moves to right field, Mookie Betts to center and Pearce handles the DH spot, suddenly the Red Sox look better than the league average team against lefties that they’ve been all year.
Catching puzzle juggle
Cora still has no firm plan on who is going to get the bulk of the catching duties moving forward.
Sandy Leon’s connection with the pitching staff can’t be denied. He’s helped David Price turn his season around (he has a 2.04 ERA in his last nine starts since Leon took over for Christian Vazquez) and continues to handle the bullpen with seemingly more flow than the other catchers on the roster.
But Cora wants to see more of Vazquez. And the manager still likes Swihart as a third option, a guy who brings more to the offense as a switch-hitter who can also run the bases with speed.
Leon is hitless in his last 20 trips to the plate and could see his workload diminish over these final few weeks.
“I don’t know if we’re going to unplug it, that he’s not going to catch, but one thing we’ve been talking about it is we need these guys to feel comfortable with everybody because you never know what can happen,” Cora said. “We have to make sure everybody is comfortable with (different catchers). If we feel we should play somebody else because we need offense, we’ll do that.”
Loss on the farm
Triple-A Pawtucket manager Kevin Boles, the manager for the last five seasons, is leaving the organization to pursue other opportunities.
“I was very surprised,” Cora said. “Our relationship was great, the way we work the whole season. I actually talked to him two days ago, wished him luck. Whatever he wants to do, he’ll accomplish. I told him that for being my first time doing this he was very helpful.”