Prior to yesterday’s game, the Red Sox placed left-hander Brennan Bernardino on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to September 10) due to a left lat strain. Southpaw Chris Murphy was called up from Triple-A in the corresponding move, and Murphy tossed a scoreless inning in Friday’s 4-1 Sox loss to the Yankees.
Bernardino hasn’t pitched since September 6, but Red Sox manager Alex Cora told reporters (including MassLive.com’s Christopher Smith) that the injury only arose this past Wednesday in the final game of Boston’s series with the Athletics. “Playing catch the last day in Sacramento, [he] felt something grab him below the shoulder, so he had an MRI yesterday,” Cora said.
The severity of the strain wasn’t specified, and it isn’t known if Bernardino will be able to make it back before the end of the regular season. Given the backdated placement, the earliest the lefty could be activated is September 25, which would make him available for Boston’s final four games of the schedule.
The larger question, of course, is whether Bernardino’s status could be in question for a first-round playoff roster, should the Red Sox clinch at least a wild card berth. While Bernardino hasn’t pitched many high-leverage innings this year, the Sox naturally want as many healthy arms as possible when deciding their optimal October roster.
Bernardino has a strong 3.14 ERA over 51 2/3 frames for the Sox in 2025, but a 4.50 SIERA indicates some red flags behind that excellent bottom-line result. Between his .252 BABIP and his ability to induce soft contact, Bernardino’s ability to keep the ball on the ground (49.7% grounder rate) has again been his biggest strength. However, Bernardino’s 19.2% strikeout rate is well below average, and his 11.6% walk rate is only in the sixth percentile of all pitchers. The left-hander has battled control problems in the past, yet his strikeout rate has been steadily declining over his three full Major League seasons.
Yet Walker Buehler was dealing for the Phillies last night….. I predict the Sox don’t even make the playoffs…. and it still won’t be enough to get rid of the Clown in the Dugout.
Agree Sox are not playing well and won’t challemge for the division or get home field in WC round, but it’s extremely likely (90%+) they will make the playoffs.
I think the biggest problem is the Red Sox offense really misses Anthony and Abreu. Agreed they should make the playoffs.
All, that is 100% right this team misses Anthony he’s already the most important player on this team. Romy was the guy that really picked it up after Anthony went down and they have really missed him. Hopefully he can play today and him along with Refsnyder need to mash against Fried. Bregman really has to step up as well he’s really struggled for an extended period of time now they need him now. This is a really big game today need this one to quiet the seeds of doubt.
Bob – I totally agree, Sox pitching is way too good and the remaining schedule is easy.
@FPG: Are you trying to jinx them? “Remaining schedule is easy” I suggest you put a double reverse whammy on that immediately.
Alex Cora has proven he is not an effective game manager. His lineups are head-scratchers at times and his handling of the bullpen is predictable and disastrous. However, the players seem to love him.
The Sox dismal record in one-run games is a testament to Cora’s poor management skills, but the FO has him locked up for two more years and about $14 million… Unfortunately, he’s not going anywhere.
5 innings isn’t exactly dealing. Let’s see what his next start looks like
Cooper…”Dealing”? .first of all the guy was hot trash pitching in Boston.and come on..he went 5 innings if that’s the current definition of “dealing” what in the heck do you call what crochet has been doing all year?.. it certainly blows “dealing” out of the water..
And based on math and current odds they most definitely are making the playoffs no matter how much you hate cora..fwiw cora is a big part of why they will make the playoffs
Romy Gonzales, hopefully will be back in the lineup this afternoon. He has been the Sox best hitter the last few weeks. 12 game hitting steak .392/407/471 slash line.
Bello has been very good against the empire in his career. Win this one and curb the worries..
Abreu is supposed to return on Monday which is more good news.
Cdc – Of course he and Ref will, they are facing a lefty.
Suit
The sooner the better. Sometimes this lineup looks anemic.
Sometimes? Gonzalez and Story are the only guys hitting the ball right now. This is not a good time for Duran, Rafaela and Bregman to be scuffling. They have two weeks to get back on track. The good news is that with the Yankees remaining schedule against bad teams, the Sox will be playing the WC series in Toronto vs. the Blue Jays instead of vs. the Yankees in NY.
To be honest, I’d rather play the Yankees in NY versus the Blue Jays in Toronto in Round 1. They have owned us up there!
FM
Hopefully Romy is back in there today vs the lefty Fried. He has been out best hitter for a couple weeks. I like our chances with Bello and Crochet going in the next 2.
Cdc – Agreed, look at the numbers last night … Bregman is the ONLY Sox player in the lineup with an OPS over .773 while the Yankees have SIX!!!
Murphy has done a good job on the limited service he’s provided. Should be an upgrade at this point.
It drives me nuts watching Hamilton, I know he’s fast , but he needs to get on base for that to matter. His defense is not very good and he’s just a weak link. At the very least he should learn to BUNT! Sox are becoming famous for trotting weak links out on the diamond every year and they stick with them way too long like Bobby D! I hope they can turn it around and take the next two games!