After experiencing bullpen struggles throughout what has so far been a disappointing 2019 season, the Boston Red Sox are looking to turn to an unconventional option to take over at closer.

Red Sox sources told NESN on Monday that the Red Sox are planning to use Nathan Eovaldi as their closer after the pitcher returns from elbow surgery, which is expected to happen this week.

It’s not surprising that the Sox have decided to make a change and remove Matt Barnes, who had a horrendous end to the month of June after giving up 8 earned runs in 4 appearances. He has a bloated 4.93 ERA this season, which is one of the main reasons that the Sox are second in baseball with 17 blown saves this year.

Boston hasn’t had a good start to the post-Craig Kimbrel era in the 9th inning, and they’re hoping that Eovaldi can be the solution. The flame-throwing righty has been a starter for the majority of his career, making 152 starts in 160 big league appearances.

The Red Sox look like they’re willing to make a bet on his high-90s fastball and bulldog mentality in hopes of solving one of the main problems that have led them to a disappointing 44-40 start to the year only a season after winning the World Series.

The post Sources: Red Sox to Use Nathan Eovaldi as Closer appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Boston Red Sox didn’t open the 2019 MLB in the best way possible and things could get even worse as they are set to play without their starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi in the coming weeks. Red Sox announced on Tuesday that Eovaldi underwent surgery on his right elbow.

According to Boston’s manager Alex Cora, the team still doesn’t have a timetable on Eovaldi’s return while noting that the surgery went well. Sources close to the team, however, report that the 29-year-old might miss four to six weeks.

Nathan Eovaldi had a similar surgery in 2018 while being a member of Tampa Bay Rays and recovered in two months.

“I went right into the surgery [in 2018], and it worked out really well for me,” – Eovaldi told reporters on Saturday. “It’s one of those things where we’re at in the year, too. It’s so early in the season, we have a lot of time left, we don’t want anything to get worse toward the end of the season. I felt like the procedure went really smoothly last year and the recovery was fast. It’s two weeks until you have your range of motion back.”

Boston Red Sox acquired Eovaldi from Tampa in July 2018 and he managed to help the team win a World Series title. Thanks to his good performances, he managed to secure a four-year, $68 million contract in the offseason to return to Boston.

Eovaldi played four games this season in which he posted 6.00 ERA alongside 16 strikeouts. His  MLB career stats include 44–53 record, 4.23 ERA and 650 strikeouts.

The post Red Sox’s Nathan Eovaldi Undergoes Surgery, Could Be Out for 4-6 Weeks appeared first on SportzBonanza.

After experiencing bullpen struggles throughout what has so far been a disappointing 2019 season, the Boston Red Sox are looking to turn to an unconventional option to take over at closer.

Red Sox sources told NESN on Monday that the Red Sox are planning to use Nathan Eovaldi as their closer after the pitcher returns from elbow surgery, which is expected to happen this week.

It’s not surprising that the Sox have decided to make a change and remove Matt Barnes, who had a horrendous end to the month of June after giving up 8 earned runs in 4 appearances. He has a bloated 4.93 ERA this season, which is one of the main reasons that the Sox are second in baseball with 17 blown saves this year.

Boston hasn’t had a good start to the post-Craig Kimbrel era in the 9th inning, and they’re hoping that Eovaldi can be the solution. The flame-throwing righty has been a starter for the majority of his career, making 152 starts in 160 big league appearances.

The Red Sox look like they’re willing to make a bet on his high-90s fastball and bulldog mentality in hopes of solving one of the main problems that have led them to a disappointing 44-40 start to the year only a season after winning the World Series.

The post Sources: Red Sox to Use Nathan Eovaldi as Closer appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Boston Red Sox didn’t open the 2019 MLB in the best way possible and things could get even worse as they are set to play without their starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi in the coming weeks. Red Sox announced on Tuesday that Eovaldi underwent surgery on his right elbow.

According to Boston’s manager Alex Cora, the team still doesn’t have a timetable on Eovaldi’s return while noting that the surgery went well. Sources close to the team, however, report that the 29-year-old might miss four to six weeks.

Nathan Eovaldi had a similar surgery in 2018 while being a member of Tampa Bay Rays and recovered in two months.

“I went right into the surgery [in 2018], and it worked out really well for me,” – Eovaldi told reporters on Saturday. “It’s one of those things where we’re at in the year, too. It’s so early in the season, we have a lot of time left, we don’t want anything to get worse toward the end of the season. I felt like the procedure went really smoothly last year and the recovery was fast. It’s two weeks until you have your range of motion back.”

Boston Red Sox acquired Eovaldi from Tampa in July 2018 and he managed to help the team win a World Series title. Thanks to his good performances, he managed to secure a four-year, $68 million contract in the offseason to return to Boston.

Eovaldi played four games this season in which he posted 6.00 ERA alongside 16 strikeouts. His  MLB career stats include 44–53 record, 4.23 ERA and 650 strikeouts.

The post Red Sox’s Nathan Eovaldi Undergoes Surgery, Could Be Out for 4-6 Weeks appeared first on SportzBonanza.