Red Sox shutdown veteran reliever after not ‘bouncing back’
The Red Sox have shut down right-handed reliever Chris Martin, who is on the injured list with right elbow inflammation, after he experienced some discomfort on Friday.
“He played catch yesterday. He didn’t feel great,” manager Alex Cora said Saturday at Fenway Park.
Martin, who was placed on the 15-day injured list on July 5, will return home for the All-Star break. Initially, the righty was scheduled to travel with the Red Sox on the road in Los Angeles and Colorado. Instead, he will fly back to Boston and be here following the break.
“No imaging,” Cora said. “But he just didn’t bounce back the way he wanted.” The Red Sox skipper was asked if there’s long-term concern; he said, “Not concern, but it’s going to take longer than we expected.”
This is the second IL stint for Martin this season; he missed 14 games in early June dealing with anxiety. He also missed games earlier this year due to an injury to his left shoulder. The injury to his non-pitching arm affected his delivery, and the Red Sox gave him some rest.
Martin has pitched to a 3.42 ERA, 29 strikeouts, and two walks in 26 outings (26 1/3 innings) this season.
The 38-year-old is the second Red Sox reliever to land on the IL in recent days. Justin Slaten was placed on the IL with right elbow inflammation on Friday.
The Red Sox bullpen will move forward with closer Kenley Jansen, Brennan Bernardino, Cam Booser, Bailey Horn, Zack Kelly, Greg Weissert, and Josh Winckowski. Boston has additional depth at Triple-A Worcester with Isaiah Campbell, Brad Keller, and Trey Wingenter.
