Nathan Eovaldi to be Red Sox closer upon return from IL, report says

Gabrielle McMillen

Nathan Eovaldi to be Red Sox closer upon return from IL, report says image

The Red Sox are looking at Nathan Eovaldi to help fix with their bullpen woes.

The right-hander has been on the 60-day injury list since April 20 after undergoing elbow surgery. According to NESN , he's expected to be ready to pitch again after the All-Star Break, where he will be used in the bullpen at first.

The report noted that Eovaldi will serve as a "traditional" closer and will not share the role with other relievers. 

The move of Eovaldi to the bullpen benefits both the pitcher and the Red Sox — Eovaldi gets to return to the mound sooner than expected because he won't have to stretch out over multiple innings on a rehab assignment and the Red Sox will have a steady closer as the team tries to rectify its bullpen.

Before he was sent to the IL, Eovaldi posted a 6.00 ERA in 21 innings pitched across four starts.

Right now, Boston's bullpen ERA is 4.37, but the past two weeks have seen the group post a 6.18 ERA with eight blown saves in June. It's the second-highest ERA and most lost games of any team in the league in that time span.

 

Gabrielle McMillen