Three Red Sox players tested positive for COVID-19, while Matt Barnes could be a fourth as Jeff Passan reports that he’s headed to the COVID-19 injured list.
Red Sox reliever Matt Barnes is headed onto the COVID IL, sources tell ESPN. He’s the fourth player in the last few days to join, alongside Kiké Hernandez, Christian Arroyo and Martin Perez. Boston’s depth will be tested over the next week or so as those on the IL recover.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 30, 2021
It’s unclear yet if Barnes tested positive or not, as he could just be a close contact to Martin Perez. He joins Kiké Hernandez, Christian Arroyo, and Perez on the list, who all tested positive.
UPDATED: The Red Sox make the move of Barnes and Perez official. They both go to the COVID-19 injured list.
As a corresponding move, Boston has called up Phillips Valdez and Raynel Espinal.
Espinal, 29, has a 3.74 ERA this season with Triple-A Worcester through 18 outings (16 starts). As noted by Masslive.com, the righty was acquired in the minor league portion of the 2019 Rule 5 Draft from the Yankees.
Valdez will be recalled after several stints with Boston this season. He’s racked up a 5.56 ERA through 26 outings with the Sox, while he’s posted a 3.68 ERA through 15 appearances with the WooSox this season.
(Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)