Here are the latest injury updates on a trio of Red Sox relievers
One step forward, two steps back? There's good news on the horizon for Chris Martin, but Kenley Jansen and Chris Murphy remain sidelined.
With Opening Day just over a week away, the Red Sox face roster uncertainty as injuries continue to plague pitchers.
The expectation over the offseason was that newly-signed veteran Lucas Giolito would be a starter. However, following a devastating UCL injury and subsequent surgery last week, Giolito likely won’t be back on the diamond until 2025.
Some of the roster has been solidified, with manager Alex Cora announcing Tuesday that Brayan Bello will be the Opening Day starter. The rest of the pitching staff, however, remains be contingent upon the health of Cora’s bullpen.
And although it feels like a “one step forward, two steps back” situation, some relievers are finding their way to the mound just in time for Boston’s season opener against the Mariners on March 28.
Good news first: Chris Martin made a one-inning appearance Tuesday, calling his performance “encouraging.” The critical reliever allowed three runs on three hits (including a home run), struck out one, and threw 12 of 17 pitches for strikes.
After exiting batting practice early on March 9 due to groin tightness, Martin appeared to be in good shape, throwing at 95-96 mph.
“I saw the velo,” Martin said to reporters per MassLive’s Christopher Smith. “I don’t know if I’ve thrown that hard in spring training since probably when I was trying to make teams. Last year, I was probably like 92-93.”
The 37-year-old hasn’t had many reps so far in spring training, but plans to throw in exhibition games ahead of the 28th, according to the Globe’s Alex Speier and Peter Abraham.
“Obviously, that’s easier said than done, saying I’ll be there,” Martin told reporters. “It’s just day by day right now. I know physically I’m good.”
Meanwhile, closer Kenley Jansen was scratched yet again due to back soreness. The veteran reported for camp with lat soreness and has yet to play a full inning in a Grapefruit League game.
Cora said Monday that Jansen is “running out of time” to get healthy and loose before Opening Day.
The righthander is frustrated by his delayed recovery timeline and has been adamant about making a swift return, according to Cora per Speier and Abraham.
“He got here early [on Tuesday] working with the [medical staff]. He’s very honest about it [saying], ‘I can grind through it.’ But it doesn’t make sense. So we’ll be ready for [Thursday] and if it doesn’t happen, we’ll shoot for the next day. And from there we’ll do the math.”
The math, unfortunately, has not been on Cora’s side this week.
Lefthander Chris Murphy’s fate currently hangs in the balance, as he faces a potentially season-ending elbow injury. Cora confessed Monday that he was “worried” about Murphy.
Initial imaging revealed ligament damage, according to Speier, who posted the update on X Tuesday.
“Sox still figuring out next steps. There’s concern but they don’t know yet if surgery will be the next step — they’ll figure that out in the coming days,” Speier wrote.
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