Red Sox on the verge of adding injured veteran reliever to bullpen
The Red Sox added to their bullpen at the MLB trade deadline, acquiring both right-handers Lucas Sims and Luis Garcia. Boston is on the verge of adding high-leverage reliever Chris Martin in the coming days to their newly revamped bullpen.
Alex Cora provided an encouraging update on the veteran reliever while in Texas on Sunday. Martin, who has been on the injured list for over a month dealing with an elbow issue, is slated to pitch on Wednesday.
The club was expected to have Martin complete a rehab assignment in the minors, but Cora left the door open for the possibility that Martin could return straight to the majors.
"That bullpen yesterday, 35 pitches—that was a lot. And the quality of the pitches, he felt like he was able to bounce back from every pitch and execute," said Cora to reporters in Texas. "He feels healthy. Tomorrow is the big day. If he feels like he can go, he'll go with us."
"He's going to let us know how he feels on Monday," Cora added. "If he feels like he can go at this level, we'll be ready. He'll pitch Wednesday somewhere; it may be in Kansas City."
Cora referred to getting Martin back as “huge” for his club’s bullpen as they navigate the schedule over the final two months in an attempt to make the playoffs.
The 38-year-old is 2-1 with a 3.42 ERA and 10 holds this season. Martin already missed 14 games this season while on the 15-day IL from June 2–18 with anxiety. He also dealt with an injured left shoulder in his non-pitching arm, which affected his delivery earlier this season.
Boston begins a three-game series in Kansas City, and if Martin remains on track, he will be available to potentially pitch in the series finale on Wednesday.
