Boston Red Sox: Koji Uehara Headed to the DL

Red Sox current closer Koji Uehara will miss some time with a pectoral injury. What is the fantasy fallout after another loss to the Red Sox bullpen?

Current Boston Red Sox closer Koji Uehara entered the 2016 season as the main set-up man after the team acquired Craig Kimbrel. Unfortunately, both players now have something else in common, they are both on the DL.

Uehara is headed to the DL after suffering a pectoral injury on July 19th. The 41-year-old reliever has been no stranger to injury, but for fantasy owners and the organization, losing a capable closer is a tough blow right on the heels of losing Kimbrel.

Since coming over to MLB in 2009, Uehara has been one of the more effective relievers in the game. But, he is in the midst of a career worse season, thanks in large part to him being susceptible to the long ball.

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Fortunately enough for the Red Sox, Dave Dombrowksi did a great job in getting Brad Ziegler right before the injury big hit, and it seems as though Ziegler will now slide into the closing role. Ziegler has a 2.61 ERA this season, and has not surrendered a run with Boston, so his fantasy value should be at an all time high.

Uehara and Kimbrel’s return dates are still up in there, but the team will get back key set up man, Junichi Tazawa, this weekend. With Ziegler and Tazawa back in the fold, the Red Sox bullpen will at least has some pieces to utilize, but there is one other pitcher that should intrigue fantasy owners.

Matt Barnes was once a top rated starting prospect in the Red Sox system, but so far his role with the big league club has been out of the bullpen. He currently sits with a, 3.07 ERA/44 K, line over 44 innings this season.

But the most intriguing part, is the prototypical closer arsenal that Barnes has. His fastball velocity averages around 98 mph, which only further enhances his nasty curveball and its effectiveness. While he will probably not unseat Ziegler, Barnes is a guy to watch in case Ziegler struggles.

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The Red Sox have had to battle through their pitching struggles, both in the rotation and in the bullpen, this season. Armed with one of the best lineups in the game, they have been able to offset some of those inefficiencies. Their offense will offer plenty of save opportunities moving forward, but losing Kimbrel, and now Uehara, may force the team to be active again in the relief market at the trade deadline.

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