Jake Diekman’s response when asked if he wants to be the Red Sox closer
Jake Diekman closed the door on the Yankees on Sunday night earning his first save with the Red Sox. Diekman was the de facto closer for manager Alex Cora with the Red Sox up 4-3 against the Yankees. The save was the 15th of Diekman’s career.
The left-hander struck out Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton and Joey Gallo in the bottom of the ninth. After an 11 pitch at-bat against Judge, he made quick work against Stanton and Gallo.
Following the game, the Boston Globe’s Pete Abraham asked Cora if Diekman was the closer.
“He was tonight,” answered Cora.
Diekman threw 14 of his 19 total pitches for strikes. He threw all three of his pitches, sinker, four-seam fastball, slider for strikes.
When reporters asked Diekman if he wanted to be the Red Sox closer, the veteran left-hander response?
“I don’t really give two shits,” said Diekman.
Ian M. Browne of MLB.com asked the veteran hurler if he could quote him, Diekman responded, “Yeah, do it, I don’t really care.”
The Red Sox haven’t named a closer to begin the 2022 season. All-Star Matt Barnes was the closer last season but fell out of favor in the second half. Cora has not committed to the right-hander.
Barnes has missed the last three games of the season with a back issue. He is expected to be available on Monday to begin the series with the Tigers.
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