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Race to 25: Update on the Red Sox Roster Battles

By Max Sandgrund

Mar 9, 2016; Bradenton, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox infielder Travis Shaw (47) celebrates with his teammates after hitting a two run home run in the first inning of the spring training game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at McKechnie Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2016; Bradenton, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox infielder Travis Shaw (47) celebrates with his teammates after hitting a two run home run in the first inning of the spring training game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at McKechnie Field. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 14, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Matt Barnes (68) pitches during the sixth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Baltimore Orioles defeated Boston Red Sox 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 14, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Matt Barnes (68) pitches during the sixth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Baltimore Orioles defeated Boston Red Sox 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

FIFTH RIGHT-HANDER IN BULLPEN

There are five spots available for right-handed relievers in the Red Sox bullpen.  Assuming health, the first four are going to Craig Kimbrel, Koji Uehara, Carson Smith and Junichi Tazawa, leaving one spot available.  John Farrell has gone on record indicating he would like the fifth spot to be filled by someone who can pitch multiple innings.

The Candidates

  1. Steven Wright
  2. Matt Barnes

The State of the Competition

As discussed in a prior slide on the starting rotation, Wright pitched four scoreless innings this week.  Wright has pitched seven innings this spring and has compiled a 2.57 ERA.  Based on the length of his appearances thus far, Wright is clearly capable of providing the Red Sox with multiple innings of work out of the bullpen.  However, he appears to be the favorite to land a spot in the Opening Day starting rotation, which puts Barnes in control of his own destiny this spring.  Could Carlos Marmol emerge as a candidate in this competition?  It is possible, but unlikely.  Marmol has not been very effective in years and regardless, he is not a multiple-inning pitcher.

Putting aside the situation involving Wright and the starting rotation, Barnes is currently pitching his way into the fifth right-hander spot in the bullpen.  Over 3.2 innings of work this spring, Barnes has yet to give up a run and has struck out five batters while walking only one.  Opponents are hitting a measly .167 off him.

The Leaderboard

  1. Matt Barnes
  2. Steven Wright

Next: Starting Third Baseman

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