Joel Hanrahan to the DL; what it means for the Red Sox

According to Peter Gammons, Joel Hanrahan is going to be placed on the DL, and Steven Wright is going to be called up from Pawtucket to take his place.
We knew that Hanrahan was ailing with sore legs, which made it difficult for him to throw strikes in the lower half of the zone. While you never want to see your closer get hurt and placed on the DL, this should be somewhat encouraging news for the Red Sox. It seems as if all of Hanrahan's struggles this season have been due to weakened legs. It is unclear whether his pulled groin is the same injury as his sore legs, or was caused by overcompensating.

Hanrahan will be eligible to come off of the DL April 28, as he last pitched April 13. To take his place, the Red Sox will call up Steven Wright. The 28 year-old knuckleballer has never pitched in the majors, and will most likely see his first action coming from the bullpen. He has started two games in AA this season, allowing 3 earned runs, 7 walks, and striking out 11 in 10 innings pitched.

Wright could fill in for Lackey's start while he is on the DL, moving Alfredo Aceves back to relief. Aceves does not have many fans in Boston, but between him and Wright he is the lesser of two evils (even with his "satan eyes"). Aceves has proven that he can be a fill-in starter in the big leagues (4.13 ERA in 52.1 career innings as a starter), while Wright has never pitched in the majors.

The Red Sox are hot right now, and their bullpen -- 3.00 ERA in innings san Hanrahan -- should be able to manage just fine without their closer.


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