Pivetta scheduled to start as Boston hosts Cleveland
The Red Sox will send Nick Pivetta to the mound Sunday and the Indians will give Zach Plesac the startSEPTEMBER 5, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
MATT BARNES #41 - PITCHER - WASHINGTON NATIONALS
0-0 W-L •
1.50 WHIP •
6.75 ERA
0-0 W-L
1.50 WHIP
6.75 ERA
Verdugo's RBI single in bottom of 9th lifts Bosox past Tribe
Alex Verdugo hit an RBI single with bases loaded and two out in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Boston Red Sox a 4-3 win over the Cleveland IndiansSEPTEMBER 5, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Houck expected to start as Boston hosts Cleveland
The Red Sox are expected to send Tanner Houck to the mound Saturday and the Indians plan to give Eli Morgan the startSEPTEMBER 4, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
OF Duran latest Red Sox player added to COVID-related list
The Boston Red Sox have placed outfielder Jarren Duran on the COVID-19-related injured list, bringing the team’s total to nine players added to the list in a span of a weekSEPTEMBER 3, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Eovaldi scheduled to start as Boston hosts Cleveland
The Red Sox will roll out Nathan Eovaldi to the mound Friday and the Indians will give Cal Quantrill the startSEPTEMBER 3, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Rodriguez scheduled to start for Boston against Tampa Bay
The Red Sox will start Eduardo Rodriguez on Thursday and the Rays are expected to counter with Shane McClanahanSEPTEMBER 2, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Muñoz is latest Red Sox player to test positive for COVID-19
Boston infielder Yairo Muñoz has become the latest Red Sox player to test positive for COVID-19 as the virus surge impacting the team remains unrelentingSEPTEMBER 1, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Sale scheduled to start for Boston against Tampa Bay
The Red Sox will start Chris Sale on Wednesday and the Rays are expected to counter with Drew RasmussenSEPTEMBER 1, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Rays win 9th in row; Red Sox star Bogaerts tests positive
Randy Arozarena, rookie Wander Franco and the Tampa Bay Rays won their ninth straight game, breaking away from Boston soon after Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts was pulled becaus...SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Boston's Bogaerts pulled from game after positive virus test
Boston Red Sox star shortstop Xander Bogaerts has tested positive for COVID-19 and been pulled from a game at Tampa BayAUGUST 31, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
LEADING OFF: Báez, Lindor set to hear from miffed Mets fans
Mets fans get their say after it was revealed stars Francisco Lindor and Javier Báez were among the New York players making derogatory hand gestures at Citi Field crowdsAUGUST 31, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Franco, AL East-leading Rays win 8th in row, top Red Sox 6-1
Wander Franco extended his on-base streak 30 games with a two-run single, fellow rookie Luis Patiño pitched neatly into the sixth inning and the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays won...AUGUST 31, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
LEADING OFF: Báez, Lindor set to hear from frustrated fans
Mets fans get their say after it was revealed stars Francisco Lindor and Javier Báez were among the New York players making derogatory hand gestures at Citi Field crowdsAUGUST 31, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tests positive for COVID-19 Barnes (COVID-19) tested positive for the virus Monday and will be out no fewer than 10 days, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.
Impact The struggling closer will miss at least the first nine days of September, as dictated by MLB's health and safety protocols. Updates about Barnes' potential symptoms and expected return date should become available in the next week or so.
AUGUST 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Lands on COVID-19 injured list Barnes was placed don the COVID-19 injured list Monday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Impact It's not yet clear whether Barnes has tested positive for the virus himself or if he's merely out due to contact tracing, so it's hard to say how much time he'll need to miss. Adam Ottavino should be the top option for saves until he returns.
AUGUST 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Bosox put pitchers Pérez, Barnes on virus list, others out
Boston Red Sox pitchers Martín Pérez and Matt Barnes were put on the COVID-19 injured list before Monday night’s game at Tampa Bay, and there were more virus developments after a 6...AUGUST 30, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Mops up in win Barnes allowed a walk, hit a batter, and threw a wild pitch while striking out two over a scoreless ninth inning in Thursday's 12-2 win over the Twins.
Impact Red Sox manager Alex Cora talked about getting Barnes into low-leverage situations, and situations don't get much more low-leverage than this. The plan is to fix whatever's been ailing Barnes during the month of August, but Thursday's results were not encouraging.
AUGUST 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Role in flux Boston manager Alex Cora suggested Barnes may not be used in a save situation the next time he pitches, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.
Impact Cora avoided using Barnes on Wednesday after Boston's closer failed to get out of the ninth inning the previous two days. Going back to the beginning of August, Barnes has an ugly 16.88 ERA with three losses and two blown saves. "We'll see how the games go, right? We'll use him accordingly," Cora said. "I don't want to say, 'He's not the closer,' or, 'He is the closer,' 'He's a setup guy.' We've got to get him right. That's the most important thing." That statement is ambiguous and open to interpretation, but it suggests Barnes may be used in a low-leverage situation, then Cora will go from there. Garrett Whitlock and Hansel Robles replaced Barnes in relief Monday and Tuesday and could be in line for more opportunities.
AUGUST 26, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Donaldson, Cave homer in 10th to lead Twins past Red Sox 9-6
Josh Donaldson hit a two-run homer leading off the 10th inning and Jake Cave added a three-run shot to help the Minnesota Twins beat the Red Sox 9-6AUGUST 26, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
David Ortiz Offers Advice To Matt Barnes Amid Red Sox Closer's Struggles Matt Barnes' recent stretch of outings have been bumpy, and his former Boston Red Sox teammate, David Ortiz, gave the closer some advice.
AUGUST 25, 2021 • NESN.COM
Sox may give Barnes break from closing BOSTON -- For the second straight game at Fenway Park, the Red Sox's bullpen turned in what could best be described as a high-wire act. And...
AUGUST 25, 2021 • MLB.COM
Fails to record out Barnes allowed one earned run on one hit and two walks while failing to record an out Tuesday against Minnesota.
Impact Barnes was called upon to hold a three-run lead in the ninth inning. However, he surrendered a solo home run to the first batter he faced and proceeded to walk the next two hitters prior to being pulled. Barnes has been excellent for the vast majority of the season, though he's now allowed 10 earned runs across his last 4.1 innings of work spanning eight appearances. Hansel Robles relieved Barnes to earn the save Tuesday, and he could be a candidate for the closer role should Barnes be displaced.
AUGUST 25, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Renfroe homers twice, Red Sox hold on to beat Twins 11-9
Hunter Renfroe homered twice and the Red Sox held onto the lead and their wild-card chances with a 11-9 victory over the last-place Minnesota TwinsAUGUST 25, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Blows save Monday Barnes gave up two runs on four hits while recording only one out to blow his sixth save of the season in Monday's 8-4 extra-innings win over the Rangers.
Impact Entering the game in the ninth inning and entrusted with a 3-1 lead, Barnes didn't allow much hard contact but still found himself facing Andy Ibanez with the bases loaded, only for the young Ranger to smoke a ground-rule double into the right-field bullpen to tie things up. Barnes has seen only two saves chances since Aug. 4 and blown them both, and his 15.20 ERA through eight appearances and 5.1 innings so far this month is a far cry from the 2.30 ERA he carried into August. His job as closer doesn't yet seem to be in jeopardy, but Boston may not be able to afford him too much patience as they fight to hang onto a playoff spot.
AUGUST 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Shaw hits grand slam as Red Sox beat Rangers 8-4 in 11
Travis Shaw hit a game-ending grand slam in the 11th inning, and the Boston Red Sox beat the Texas Rangers 8-4AUGUST 23, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
