Rotation Management and Bullpen Concerns
Key Questions
What record did Aroldis Chapman set recently?
Aroldis Chapman set the all-time relief strikeout record and was named an All-Star, making him likely to stay with the team. He also passed Eckersley for 9th all-time in saves with 391.
What bullpen moves were made involving Tommy Kahnle and Danny Coulombe?
Tommy Kahnle re-signed to a minor league deal while Danny Coulombe was DFA'd. Garrett Whitlock returned from the IL, though Zack Kelly's elbow injury further depleted depth.
Is the Red Sox bullpen targeting any specific relievers?
The team is targeting an elite reliever, with Mason Miller among the options discussed in trade rumors. Recent games showed the bullpen nearly blowing leads, with Weissert and Whitlock shaky.
Sonny Gray returned Sept. 5 and threw seven scoreless innings in a 5-0 sweep-clinching win, following Ranger Suarez's seven scoreless innings in the previous shutout. Slaten's elbow soreness, Guerrero's injury, Whitlock's absence and broader bullpen workload remain risks, while Crochet, Houck and Oviedo progress toward possible limited September roles.