The Boston Red Sox's pitching depth has been whittled down throughout the season, and they lost yet another arm to injury ahead of their final series against the New York Yankees.
The Red Sox on September 12 placed lefty reliever Brennan Bernardino on the 15-day injured list with a lat strain, retroactive to September 10, first reported by Gabrielle Starr of The Boston Herald. Boston has recalled Chris Murphy to take his place on the roster.
Bernardino started the season as one of the Sox's most valuable relievers, but he faltered in June. He clocked a 1.52 ERA over 27 appearances through May 31, but he posted a 12.38 ERA in June. Bernardino found himself again, however, and his full-season ERA is back down to 3.14 with 43 strikeouts and 26 walks over 51.2 frames.
Lat injuries can be troubling, and there are only 15 games remaining in Boston's season. Bernardino is eligible to come off the injured list on September 25, but that would be a quick turnaround for a shoulder ailment.
Red Sox place Brennan Bernardino on 15-day IL, recall Chris Murphy without updating on Romy Gonzalez
The #RedSox today placed LHP Brennan Bernardino on the 15-Day Injured List (retroactive to September 10) with a left lat strain. To fill his spot, Boston recalled LHP Chris Murphy from Triple-A Worcester
— Red Sox (@RedSox) September 12, 2025
Murphy was sent to Triple-A on Wednesday as the corresponding move for the Sox's activation of Kyle Harrison. Murphy's command hasn't been great in the big leagues, but he's largely been reliable for Boston. He's posted a 2.81 ERA with 21 strikeouts and 14 walks over 25.2 innings in the big leagues this year.
Update: Alex Cora said before the Red Sox's September 12 game that Romy Gonzalez is "doing OK," but remains "a little bit banged up." He'll be available off the bench and could start on September 13 against lefty Max Fried. Gonzalez was also seen taking batting practice on Friday afternoon.
Red Sox fans await an injury update on Romy Gonzalez, who was removed from their September 9 game against the A's after his knee locked up on him. Boston officially reported he was scratched with knee soreness.
Gonzalez told reporters after the game that he felt "a lot better" and hoped to be back in action by Friday. Red Sox manager Alex Cora corroborated Gonzalez's report and said he's expected to be day-to-day and avoid an IL stint. Gonzalez is not in the lineup for Boston's Friday game against the Yankees, but with a righty starter on the mound, Cora may be managing his workload — the Sox will face lefty Max Fried on September 13.
The Red Sox can't afford to lose Gonzalez to the IL as the season winds down. Roman Anthony will be sidelined for the rest of the season with an oblique strain, and Gonzalez has been on a wicked tear offensively that has helped pick up some of the slack in his absence. The utility infielder is slashing .392/.407/.471 in his last 15 games, and his 12-game hitting streak is the longest active in MLB.