ARLINGTON -- Right-handed reliever Justin Slaten’s season is over, Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy announced ahead of Boston’s three-game series opener against the Rangers at Globe Life Field on Tuesday night.
According to doctors Slaten visited on Tuesday, he had “degenerative changes in his flexor mass” in his right elbow.
“Probably just means a chronic thing over time, but I’m speculating there,” Tracy said. “I just know that the conservative course of action is [a platelet-rich plasma injection]. He’s going to rehab and go from there, but because of that, it’s going to probably cost him the season.”
Slaten was placed on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation on Aug. 16. His throwing program was temporarily shut down after he continued to feel symptoms.
“As we sit here right now, we were operating and moving forward, planning on having to operate without him,” Tracy said. “This maybe adds some finality to the fact that, ‘OK, now the chances of getting him back are slim.’”
The 29-year-old Slaten posted a 4.60 ERA with 39 strikeouts across 31 1/3 innings over 36 appearances for Boston.
“It’s a big loss,” Tracy said. “At least now the finality of knowing we can’t have him back. But you guys have seen the way he can come in and pitch in those big-moment cleanup innings, to get you out of the sixth, seventh inning. We’ve seen him do that, so he’s an important arm. But we have to deal with it and move on.”
Slaten and Garrett Whitlock served as the Sox’s top right-handed setup men when both went down last month. Whitlock returned from the IL on Aug. 29.
When Slaten and Whitlock first went down, Tracy believed he had enough arms to navigate the bullpen.
Right-hander Tyron Guerrero, who landed on the IL on Sept. 1 with right shoulder inflammation, could return as early as Wednesday. Trade Deadline acquisition Erik Miller and Greg Weissert have significant roles in the bullpen, along with closer Aroldis Chapman.
The injury could open opportunities for Wyatt Olds or Tanner Houck, who is on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester.