Red Sox: Three up, three down based on April results

ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 18: Mitch Moreland #18, Hanley Ramirez #13, and J.D. Martinez #28 congratulate Rafael Devers #11 of the Boston Red Sox after his grand slam during the third inning of a game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium on April 18, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

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BOSTON, MA – APRIL 11: Heath Hembree #37 of the Boston Red Sox looks on during the fourth inning against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park on April 11, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Down: Heath Hembree

While Heath Hembree has never been an elite reliever, he’s historically been an important piece out of Boston’s bullpen. He can often go multiple innings and do so on successive nights and served as a quality setup man last season. In 2017, Hembree totaled 14 holds and 70 strikeouts in 62 innings and took a good deal of pressure off closer Craig Kimbrel.

This season, so far, he’s been harder to trust. He put up a 4.50 ERA in April and isn’t off to a great start in May. Though five of the six runs he allowed last month came in just two games, he’s allowed an earned run in each of his last three appearances, spanning 4.1 innings. On the plus side, he’s fanned 16 batters in 15.1 total innings.

His numbers will likely improve as the year goes on and he’ll surely be a key reliever yet again, but Hembree’s performance has so far left much to be desired.

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