Bullpen bounces back
Yesterday in Chicago he hopped off the bullpen bench in the 9th inning to warm up for a save situation, finally! Unfortunately, or not depending on your disposition, the Red Sox tacked on two more runs and the save situation evaporated.
Either way, he walked onto the mound in the bottom of the 9th ready to close out the win just like he had never left. He faced four hitters, threw 11 pitches, 9 for strikes, and gave up a homer. That long ball would not have spoiled the save if the Red Sox had not gotten those two runs in the top of the 9th.
With his return, the rest of the bullpen can get back to their customary roles. Things can settle down again and the Red Sox can focus on holding opponents to win ballgames.
On a side note, the Red Sox signed left handed reliever Rafael Perez to a minor league deal. He comes from the Twins after having shoulder surgery last November where he was not yet showing signs of returning to being one of the best setup men in baseball.
Is this the move to back up the depth in the bullpen? Are the Red Sox management a bit skittish after all the injuries so far? Or is this just a normal move in cycle of cultivating pitchers in their farm system? Does Andrew Miller have to worry about his future as a setup man?
Post a comment or hit me up on twitter @ericschabell with your thoughts.
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