The Boston Red Sox just got hit with a double whammy, and it’s rough timing. They’re losing designated hitter Masataka Yoshida, one of their hottest bats, to the injured list with a strained left hamstring, and top bullpen arm Justin Slaten is sidelined with right elbow soreness. The team announced Sunday that both guys are likely out until September, which is a brutal blow with the wild card battle heating up.
Yoshida’s Hamstring Puts a Hole in the Lineup
Man, you hate to see this happen. Yoshida, 33, was absolutely cruising, especially since the All-Star break. He was already swinging a strong bat for months, but post-break, he put up a .294/.354/.435 slash line, racking up 6 doubles, 2 home runs, and 10 RBI in 96 plate appearances. His season numbers are solid too, batting .274/.347/.399 with 16 doubles, 5 homers, and 28 RBI. This dude was producing!
The injury happened Saturday during their 4-0 win over the Pirates. He stumbled rounding first on a third-inning double and immediately grabbed the back of his left leg. After a quick chat with the trainer, he was out, replaced by Anthony Seigler. Yoshida told reporters he once missed a month with a hamstring injury back in Japan, so this ain’t new territory, though he did say this strain is in a different spot. It’s a bummer, especially since he joins a whole crew of Red Sox batters on the IL, including Roman Anthony, Trevor Story, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, and Curtis Mead. The good news is Story, Anthony, and Kiner-Falefa are all starting minor league rehab assignments this week, so reinforcements might be coming for the lineup eventually. Mead, though, fractured his wrist in July and might not be back until September.
Bullpen Takes Another Hit With Slaten’s Elbow
As if losing a key bat wasn’t enough, the bullpen just got thinner. Justin Slaten, 28, has been one of Boston’s most effective relievers this season. He was on fire from July 7 to August 2, making 10 straight appearances without giving up a single run, allowing only 3 hits in 8 2/3 innings during that stretch. Yeah, he had a couple of shaky outings after that, giving up an earned run in two consecutive games, but he bounced back with a scoreless inning against the Blue Jays on August 12. He hasn’t pitched since.
This isn’t Slaten’s first stint on the sidelines this year either; he missed 28 games earlier in the season from April to May with a right oblique strain. Now it’s elbow soreness. To make it worse, this comes just three days after Garrett Whitlock also went on the IL with right elbow inflammation. That’s two of their best relievers gone right when they’re battling the New York Yankees for the American League’s top wild-card spot and trying to stay ahead of at least six other teams in the standings. Slaten has 39 strikeouts in 31 1/3 innings with a 4.60 ERA in 36 appearances, while Whitlock has been a beast with a 2.05 ERA in 45 games and 49 strikeouts in 45 innings. Losing both of them simultaneously is a massive hit to their relief corps.
To fill the gaps, the Red Sox called up catcher/DH Mickey Gasper and lefty reliever Raymond Burgos from Worcester. Gasper’s been hitting well, with a .337/.450/. slash line, so maybe he can provide some spark. But man, the Red Sox are facing a real challenge right now. They’ve gotta keep grinding, hope for quick rehabs, and pray these new call-ups can hold the line in this tight wild card fight.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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