Red Sox closer Matt Barnes given clean bill of health
The Red Sox received some good news today as All-Star closer Matt Barnes was given a clean bill of health after testing negative for COVID. Boston’s chief fireballer had been feeling sick the last few days and the team had him quarantine in the hotel yesterday out of precaution. While he passed an initial test they were cautious and made sure that he tested negative again. Now that they have that hurdle behind them they can bring the righty back into the fold and they could really use him.
The #RedSox today reinstated RHP Matt Barnes from the COVID-19 Related Injured List.
— Red Sox (@RedSox) August 4, 2021
To make room on the active roster, INF Jonathan Araúz was optioned to Triple-A Worcester.
Before yesterday’s loss to the Tigers, Alex Cora spoke about not having Barnes but being optimistic based on his first negative result that he’d be back today. Once again the skipper hit the nail on the head and the closer will be back in the bullpen tonight.
"“He tested negative,” said manager Alex Cora. “We’ll check him throughout the night, how he feels and all that. He did test negative, so hopefully, everything goes well tonight and he will be with us tomorrow.”"
The rest of the team and staff had tested negative but they were still waiting on Barnes’ test result. With the negative outcome yesterday and another today, Cora now gets back one of his best weapons and it couldn’t happen soon enough. Even though he only missed one game and the bullpen held pretty strong last night, it feels odd not seeing him pitch in close games.
This has been a season for the ages for Barnes as he had free agency looming. But thanks to a strong first half he earned a two-year/$18.75M extension from the Red Sox and looks to be the closer for the foreseeable future. He’s currently in the Top-10 for saves (23) and is ranked fifth among all relievers in MLB, per Fangraphs. Not bad for a guy who was not Red Sox Nation’s choice to be the final man on the mound when it counts the most.
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Barnes is proving to be the right choice as he not only earned the job in spring training but then made sure to not put any questions in the decision makers’ minds. Through 43 games he’s amassed a 5-2 record with a 2.30 ERA in 43 innings pitched. More impressively he owns a 13.8 K/9, 2.3 BB/9, and a 0.814 WHIP. He really has grown into this role of being the closer and the Red Sox made a great decision in extending him.
In order to get Barnes back on the active roster, the Red Sox had to make a corresponding move to free up the spot. Boston chose to option Jonathan Araúz back to Triple-A Worcester. The infielder wasn’t with the club for long but has posted a .286/.412/.357/.769 line through seven games in 2021. This most recent stretch saw him go 2-7 with a walk and two strikeouts but saw him pick up two very costly errors against Tampa Bay. Araúz celebrated his 24th birthday yesterday and has plenty of time to make his mark with the big club in the future.
The Red Sox are reeling right now and the AL East is feasting on their rough patch. Getting Barnes back may not completely turn the ship around but having one of your best pitchers back in the bullpen doesn’t hurt. Matty Backpacks will look to continue to build upon his great start in 2021 and look to give whatever he can to get the Red Sox back to October baseball. It’s great to see that he’s in good health and is free and clear of anything more serious.