Bailey Activated and Back in the Pen

With the Red Sox trailing the White Sox 6-4 in the seventh there is a possibility that Andrew Bailey might get into some action with a a little luck. Bailey has been activated and is ready for action in Boston’s bullpen. The Red Sox optioned right-hander Jose De La Torre to Triple-A Pawtucket to make room on the roster for Bailey.

April 28, 2013; Boston, MA USA; Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Andrew Bailey (40) pitches during the ninth inning against the Houston Astros at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

The 28-year old right hander was placed on the 15-day disabled list on May 6 with a strained right biceps. Skidding shortly after Bailey’s injury, Boston’s bullpen recovered admirably with Junichi Tazawa and, to a lesser extent, Koji Uehara closing out games. Bailey’s 1.46 ERA and five saves in 13 appearances should bolster the rebounding Boston pen. With just two more games in Chicago Bailey will be needed more then ever as the Sox next cruise into Cleveland to play Terry Francona‘s hot Indians club.

“Physically he came through it fine,” Farrell told MLB.com’s Patrick Donnelly on Sunday morning after Bailey’s tuneup appearance on Saturday. “He showed consistent velocity pre-injury. He’ll rejoin us [Monday]. He’ll get checked on, as anyone would in a situation like his, but he came out of last night feeling good physically.”

Bailey’s teammate in Oakland, Craig Breslow, said, “Bailey was throwing as well as he has in the last five years,” So as long as he can come back and just be himself, I feel like we’re going to be in really good shape.”