Red Sox get key bullpen piece Guerrero back from the injured list
This browser does not support the video element.
ST. PETERSBURG -- The bullpen depleted a little of late, the Red Sox got a key weapon back for Sunday’s game against the Rays, activating righty setup man Tyron Guerrero from the 15-day injured list.
Guerrero had been down since Sept. 1 with right shoulder inflammation.
Not only was Guerrero back, but interim manager Chad Tracy didn’t rule out Aroldis Chapman (lat issue) returning after a week-long absence if there is a chance to save the game and officially punch Boston’s ticket to the postseason.
“There’s a chance of it, I guess,” said Tracy. “We could also wait until next week.”
Chapman played long toss prior to Sunday’s game.
Guerrero, 35, has averaged 100.2 mph with his sinker this season, coming out of nowhere after not pitching in the Major Leagues since 2019. He has a 3.26 ERA in 38 outings.
“That's important. I'm really happy [that Guerrero is back] today,” said Tracy. “I think there's a high likelihood we get him in the game today. With him, it's about how do we manage getting him on there today and getting him as many outings as we can, not overdoing it, but to get him back on his feet.
"It's been a minute, but everything's gone well with the checkpoints. He's obviously a very important piece to this puzzle in our bullpen. So having him back and being able to manage at least a handful of outings prior to the end of the season is really important.”
To make room for Guerrero on the roster, Wyatt Olds was optioned to Triple-A Worcester. The 27-year-old righty, over multiple callups, has a 1.20 ERA in the first 13 outings of his career.
“He’s been throwing the ball great,” said Tracy of Olds. “He's got big stuff. He, obviously, was one of the guys that came here when Tyron went down. So, it was very tough [to send him back down]. But it’s important we have the length that we need and the innings that we need to make sure that we manage the next week, especially in the fashion that we want to manage it, and not having to rely on, lean on back-end guys in spots that you don't want to lean on them.”