'I just don't know': Alex Cora called out for overusing bullpen after strange Red Sox injury
Boston Red Sox fans are starting to worry as unexpected pitching problems come to light. The team's bullpen has been used a lot this season, and now one of their key relief pitchers is hurt again.
People are beginning to ask serious questions. Is manager Alex Cora overworking his bullpen, and is it starting to show in the worst possible way?
Alex Cora's heavy bullpen use questioned after Justin Slaten's injury update
Reliever Justin Slaten of the Boston Red Sox disclosed on Saturday, June 8, 2025, that he is once more battling an injury. According to The Boston Globe, the 27-year-old right-hander, who was nearing a comeback from the injured list, is now undergoing treatment for discomfort in his neck and right shoulder.
He said the issue is challenging to describe but might have a connection to nerves.
'I could wake up tomorrow and it's gone, or maybe not,' Slaten said. 'There's no set date. It's really just day to day.'
This mystery injury has raised alarms because Slaten pitched in 12 of Boston's 28 games in May. In seven of those games, he threw multiple innings. With the team's starting pitchers struggling to last five innings, Alex Cora has often had to use relievers like Slaten early and often.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025
Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List
Undo
Now fans and analysts are wondering if that constant workload is starting to break down the bullpen. Even though Slaten says he doesn't think the usage caused the injury, it's hard to ignore the timing.
Also Read:
What Alex Cora Revealed About Alex Bregman's Significant Injury And How It Changes Red Sox's Plans
Justin Slaten's comments spark concern as Red Sox bullpen shows signs of burnout
Justin Slaten's injury comes at a time when the Red Sox bullpen has already faced 1,115 batters this season, one of the highest numbers in the league as of mid-June.
Slaten told The Boston Globe,
'We were all throwing a lot, and it flared up in that moment.
I don't think it was the cause, just bad timing.'
'Unfortunately, there is not a timetable right now. We're not trying to keep anybody in the dark. I just don't know and they don't know. It truly is as day-to-day as day-to-day can be,'
he further added.
Presently fourth in the AL East, the Red Sox have a record of 36–36. With a 4. 03 team ERA, they are 19th in Major League Baseball. The team has also given up 71 home runs, a sign that opponents are hitting them hard.
One of the few bright spots has been rookie Hunter Dobbins, who has a 3.74 ERA in 11 games. But overall, Boston's pitching has been below expectations, and fans are pointing fingers mostly at Cora's bullpen strategy.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
3 hours ago
- Mint
Boston Red Sox call up top prospect Jhostynxon Garcia ahead of New York Yankees series
Aachal Maniyar Published 22 Aug 2025, 01:21 AM IST Jhostynxon Garcia #11 of the Boston Red Sox at bat in the third inning during the 2025 All-Star Futures Game at Truist Park on July 12, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Getty Images via AFP) The Boston Red Sox are gearing up for a four-game series against the New York Yankees, and they are bringing in fresh talent to strengthen their lineup. According to reports, the team has called up outfield prospect Jhostynxon Garcia ahead of the series. With the Red Sox trailing the Yankees by just 1.5 games in the American League standings, this series could be a turning point for both teams.
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Hindustan Times
Oviedo earns 1st major-league win since 2023 as Pirates beat Blue Jays 2-1 to take the series
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Johan Oviedo earned his first major-league win since 2023 and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Toronto Blue Jays 2-1 on Wednesday to take the three-game series. HT Image In his second start since having Tommy John surgery in late 2023, Oviedo (1-0) struck out six, allowed two hits, one run and had a walk in five innings. His last win came with six scoreless innings in an 8-6 victory against the Cubs on Sept. 21, 2023. Dennis Santana struck out one in a perfect ninth for his ninth save. Toronto, first in the AL East, dropped two of three to Pittsburgh, last in the NL Central. George Springer quickly put the Blue Jays ahead, driving the 10th pitch of his leadoff at bat to the left-field bleachers for his 21st homer. Tommy Pham then plated a pair with a double in the bottom half. Bryan Reynolds hit a two-out double, Spencer Horwitz walked and Pham brought them in with a liner just inside the left-field line. Blue Jays starter Chris Bassitt (11-7) was tagged for two runs and six hits, tying a season-high with 10 strikeouts and walking two in 5 2/3 innings. Bo Bichette led off the fourth with a double. Oviedo kept him at second by striking out Alejandro Kirk, getting Daulton Varsho to fly out and sending Nathan Lukes down swinging after hitting Ty France with a pitch. The Pirates are 23-27 in a major-league high 50 games decided by a single run. Blue Jays RHP Shane Bieber (0-0, 0.00 ERA) makes his season debut Friday, opening a three-game series at Miami. The 2020 AL Cy Young winner was traded by Cleveland to Toronto on July 31 and has not pitched in the majors since undergoing Tommy John surgery in April 2024. The Pirates open a three-game home set against the Colorado Rockies on Friday. ___ AP MLB:
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
'F**k you p**sy': Jarren Duran caught on broadcast yelling at fan after key strikeout in Boston Red Sox loss to Orioles
Jarren Duran caught on broadcast yelling at fan after key strikeout in Boston Red Sox loss to Orioles (Image via Getty) Jarren William Duran, outfielder for the Boston Red Sox, seemed to lose his cool on Tuesday night, August 19, 2025, at Fenway Park in Boston. Right after striking out with the bases loaded against the Baltimore Orioles, he appeared to yell, 'F* you, p*y,' at a heckling fan while walking back to the dugout. The Red Sox went on to lose the game 4-3 in 11 innings, and neither Duran nor the team commented after the match. Jarren Duran yells foul words at fan after strikeout at Fenway Park Jarren Duran struck out swinging on three pitches from Orioles reliever Rico Garcia during the bottom of the eighth inning. As he headed to the dugout, a fan's taunt triggered a sharp response from Duran. Video from the broadcast shows him shouting the curse words. This isn't Duran's first clash with fans. Last year, on August 11, 2024, he used a homophobic slur during a game against the Houston Astros. That resulted in a two-game suspension, and the Red Sox donated his pay for those games to PFLAG, an LGBTQ+ advocacy group. Jarren Duran's past clashes with fans and suspension history This isn't the only incident this season. Back on April 27, 2025, during a game at Progressive Field against the Cleveland Guardians, a fan made an inappropriate comment referencing Duran's past suicide attempt, which he had publicly shared in the Netflix documentary The Clubhouse: A Year With the Red Sox. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is this legal? Access all TV channels without a subscription! Techno Mag Learn More Undo Security and umpires intervened, and the fan was ejected. The Guardian issued an apology afterwards. Also Read: 'As Racist As Always': Martina Navratilova Lashes At Donald Trump For Attacking Smithsonian Museums On Slavery Off the field, Duran's struggles and openness about his mental health have drawn attention and support. In the series, he revealed a 2022 suicide attempt. Despite the backlash in Cleveland, he bounced back that series, going 7 for 15 with three RBIs, showing both his resilience and talent. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
