Red Sox RP Carson Smith Underwent Tommy John Surgery

By Bill Pivetz | May 25, 2016

Aug 22, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher Carson Smith (39) throws a pitch in the ninth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /

Red Sox relief pitcher Carson Smith is the latest pitcher to undergo Tommy John surgery. How does the Boston bullpen and your fantasy team recover?

The Boston Red Sox did their best to compete with the New York Yankees bullpen. The team traded for all-star closer Craig Kimbrel to join Koji Uehara and Junichi Tazawa. The team also traded for Seattle Mariners set-up man Carson Smith, someone who could have been Seattle’s closer this season.

Unfortunately, he won’t be pitching for any team for the rest of 2016. After returning from the DL for a flexor strain on May 3, he will miss the rest of the year as he recovers from Tommy John surgery. This is another blow to the relief pitcher depth in fantasy leagues. Smith looked good upon his return, too.

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He pitched 2.2 scoreless innings, while striking out two and walking one. There isn’t much to analyze, but he would have been a pitcher to add if you needed help in your ratio stats or needed a boost in holds.

In 70 appearances last season, Carson Smith recorded 13 saves with a 2.31 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 92 strikeouts. After the struggles of Fernando Rodney last season, Smith took over the role and was valuable in the second half of the season. His value took a hit by joining the crowded Red Sox bullpen.

He was owned in 4.4 percent of ESPN leagues, now down to 2.0 percent. Like I said, he was someone to add in AL-only or deeper leagues. He was also a decent handcuff to any Kimbrel owner.

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While no one likes to cheer an injury, this does help the value of Uehara and Tazawa. Both men are viable backups to Kimbrel in case he goes down with an injury. If you had to add just one, Tazawa is the guy to own. He has a 1.53 ERA and 0.79 WHIP in 17.2 innings.

There are plenty of other ownable relief pitchers on the waiver wire. Texas Rangers newly promoted closer Sam Dyson is owned in 42 percent of leagues. Brad Boxberger and Huston Street are set to return to their respective teams soon.

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