The Red Sox lost one of the key relievers to the injured list ahead of Wednesday afternoon's rubber match against the Brewers and provided another update on Johan Oviedo.
BOSTON-- The Boston Red Sox announced a pretty significant roster move ahead of Wednesday afternoon's rubber match against the Milwaukee Brewers. The Sox will be without one of their top relievers, Justin Slaten, for at least 15 days after he was placed on the injured list with what the team is calling a right oblique strain.
After Tuesday night's 3-2 win over the Brewers, Red Sox manager Alex Cora was asked about Slaten, who had not pitched since April 4, and he said the righty was dealing with soreness in his right side, but made clear he didn't want to call it an oblique. Well, the team used that designation on Wednesday.
According to The Athletic's Jen McCaffrey, Slaten's soreness began after throwing in back-to-back games in Boston's weekend series against the Padres, and didn't subside. He is hoping to spend a minimum of 15 days on the injured list before returning to the Red Sox.
Slaten is no stranger to injuries. After a dominant rookie campaign in 2024, he entered the 2025 season as one of the Red Sox' key bullpen arms. After posting a 3.52 ERA in his first 23 innings of the season, Slaten hit the injured list with a nerve issue in his right shoulder and missed more than two months with the injury. After his return in late August, Slaten wasn't nearly as effective, allowing seven earned runs in 10.1 innings pitched.
The Red Sox announced that lefty reliever Tyler Samaniego would replace Slaten on the major league roster. Samaniego was acquired as part of the offseason deal that saw Johan Oviedo come to Boston in exchange for top 100 prospect Jhostynxon Garcia. In 5.1 innings for Triple-A Worcester, Samaniego posted a 3.38 ERA, walking two batters while striking out three.
According to SoxProspects.com, Samaniego is a "Potential up-and-down left-handed reliever. Ceiling of a middle reliever...Fastball is major league quality, but secondaries need work."
In other Red Sox news
Apr 29, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Boston Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas (36) his a single against the Toronto Blue Jays during the second inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images- After hitting the injured list ahead of Friday's home opener against the Padres, Oviedo met with Dr.Meister, who performed his 2024 Tommy John surgery, where, per McCaffrey, he was diagnosed with a right flexor strain. Oviedo will be shut down for six weeks and then reevaluated.
- Starter Patrick Sandoval is making his first rehab appearance on Wednesday afternoon with the Worcester Red Sox, after his scheduled debut on Sunday with Portland was postponed due to weather. At the time of writing, Sandoval had allowed three runs, all unearned, on three hits, across three innings, while walking three.
- After being diagnosed with an intercostal strain, Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas attempted to restart his swing progression on Monday. “Casas tried to swing. It didn’t go well.” Cora told reporters ahead of Tuesday's win over Milwaukee. “He’s going to go for imaging this week. I don’t know when. That’s where we’re at.” Cora continued.
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