The Boston Crimson Sox have the most effective pitching staffs within the league. Their beginning rotation has been wonderful, however their bullpen has been even higher.
The Crimson Sox are second in bullpen ERA at 3.14, simply behind the New York Yankees.
With the common season winding down, a key flamethrowing piece of that bullpen has been shut down indefinitely.
Based on Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald, reliever Justin Slaten has been shut down with proper elbow irritation.
Slaten has not pitched in a recreation since August 12 and can now seemingly be out for a minimum of the rest of the 2026 season.
What Is Happening With Justin Slaten of the Boston Crimson Sox?
Boston has been with out Slaten for nearly a month on account of proper elbow irritation. On Monday, Crimson Sox interim supervisor Chad Tracy stated that whereas Slaten had been throwing, he has been shut down as a result of the identical “signs” that landed him on the Injured Listing within the first place have returned.
“Chad Tracy stated Justin Slaten started throwing, and issues had been ‘going effectively,’ however then a few of [the] identical signs that prompted the IL stint returned, so the Crimson Sox shut him down once more,” Starr wrote.
The Texas Rangers chosen Slaten within the third spherical of the 2019 MLB Draft out of the College of New Mexico. In 2023, the New York Mets drafted Slaten within the Rule 5 Draft. The Mets would then commerce Slaten to Boston for a minor leaguer.
Slaten made his main league debut in 2024, pitching to a 2.93 ERA in 44 video games (55.1 innings). Earlier than touchdown on the Injured Listing, Slaten had a 4.60 ERA in 36 appearances in the course of the 2026 season.
Whereas his ERA doesn’t sound nice, Slaten was one of many Crimson Sox’s key high-leverage choices. And he was actually beginning to discover his groove earlier than this newest harm popped up. Slaten logged a 2.77 ERA in his final 15 video games earlier than the harm.
What Does This Imply?
Any time a pitcher is coping with an elbow problem, it’s regarding. For the Crimson Sox, the best-case state of affairs can be Slaten getting wholesome and getting again on the hill earlier than the common season involves an finish. Nevertheless, that could be wishful considering.
The Crimson Sox ought to child this harm, with two key items getting back from accidents of their very own.
The Crimson Sox have two pitchers working their manner again who can be key for the bullpen down the stretch. These pitchers are Tanner Houck and Garrett Crochet. Houck is predicted to start a minor league rehab project with Double-A Portland on Tuesday. The 2024 All-Star has not pitched since early 2025 after present process Tommy John surgical procedure.
Crochet threw his first bullpen on Friday. The expectation is that he’ll throw one other bullpen on Tuesday. Clearly, Crochet has functioned as a starter since 2024, however has not pitched in a recreation since April 25.
Since he would want extra time to ramp as much as be a starter, Crochet will possible perform as a reliever down the stretch and within the postseason. He has the stuff for the bullpen and the expertise, so it shouldn’t be that a lot of a tradition shock.
Regardless, Slaten’s harm is hard, however not devastating for Boston.
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