Red Sox Place Pitcher On Injured List Before Yankees Series
The Boston Red Sox adjusted their bullpen before starting a seismic three-game series against the New York Yankees.
Boston placed relief pitcher Brennan Bernardino on the 15-day injured list with a left lat strain, retroactive to Sept. 10, before Friday’s game. The Red Sox filled his spot by recalling fellow southpaw Chris Murphy from Triple-A Worcester.
Bernardino has tied Justin Wilson for the fourth-most appearances (55) out of Boston’s bullpen this season. The 33-year-old has registered a 3.14 ERA and 1.26 WHIP, allowing just one home run in 51 2/3 innings.
His 43 strikeouts and 26 walks are far from dominant, but Bernardino stifles hard contact with a 49.7 percent ground-ball rate and opposing 87.6-mph average exit velocity. The 6-foot-4 hurler also isn’t a mere left-handed specialist, containing opposing righties to a .560 OPS.
Bernardino had worked 11 straight scoreless innings when the Red Sox optioned him to make room for deadline acquisition Steven Matz. He’s allowed three runs in eight innings since returning to the majors on Aug. 19.
Murphy returns to the Red Sox two days after getting demoted to Triple-A. The 27-year-old, who missed all of the 2024 season recovering from Tommy John surgery, has a 2.81 ERA in 25 2/3 big league innings.
Murphy threw a pair of scoreless innings during Boston’s series against the Athletics this week. The Red Sox may promptly need him when opposing a Yankees lineup featuring right-handed hitters Trent Grisham, Cody Bellinger, Ben Rice, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Austin Wells and Ryan McMahon.
Friday’s game between the Red Sox and Yankees starts at 7:10 p.m. ET on Apple TV+.