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The Red Sox are having a COVID problem, and it doesn’t appear to be going away. Over the weekend, they placed a couple of key position players on the COVID list with Kiké Hernández and Christian Arroyo both hitting the list. Now the issues have spread into the bullpen. It was announced earlier on Monday that Martín Pérez had tested positive, and later Jeff Passan of ESPN reported that Matt Barnes was also being placed on the 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
This is the this time Barnes has found himself on the COVID list this season. Right before the season the righty was put on the COVID list with what was later deemed a non-infectious positive. And then earlier this month, he was put on the list but only for a day as he was only feeling symptoms but never tested positive. It’s not yet clear what the situation is this time around.
What we do know, however, is that the bullpen is shorthanded at an inopportune time given the big series coming up against the Rays and the plan for a bullpen game on Tuesday. For the time being, Phillips Valdez and Raynel Espinal will join the roster.
As first reported by @JeffPassan, Matt Barnes has been placed on the Covid-19 related injured list. He joins Martin Perez. Phillips Valdez and Raynel Espinal are filling the roster spots tonight.
— Ian Browne (@IanMBrowne) August 30, 2021