PT TOMORROW: AL East—Kimbrel’s health among division’s biggest questions

Boston Red Sox

One of the bigger concerns floating around the Red Sox is the health of the team’s closer, Craig Kimbrel (RHP, BOS), who had to be yanked from a save situation Aug. 9 after being unable to secure the final out and walking four batters.

Afterward, Kimbrel acknowledged that his left knee, on which he had surgery July 11 to repair a torn meniscus, was sore. Kimbrel had been expected to need three to six weeks to recover, but was back on the major league mound by Aug. 1, at the early end of that timeline.

Coming to the rescue in that Aug. 9 game was Matt Barnes (RHP, BOS) and his 96.8-mph average fastball, even though experienced closer Brad Ziegler (RHP, BOS) was available.

While Barnes got the job done, he was roughed up...

Almost!

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