The Red Sox don’t expect reliever Justin Slaten to return this season, interim manager Chad Tracy told reporters (links via Tim Healey of The Boston Globe and Perla Paredes of MLB.com). The right-hander received a platelet-rich plasma injection after being diagnosed with “degenerative changes in his flexor mass,” as Tracy put it.
Slaten landed on the injured list a month ago with elbow inflammation. The flexor issue comes as something of a setback, as the manager called it “substantially different news” than the initial diagnosis. Flexor injuries can sometimes be precursors to elbow surgeries, but there’s no indication that Slaten has any ligament damage.
The 29-year-old Slaten was a great find in the 2023 Rule 5 draft. He provided the Red Sox 55 1/3 innings of 2.93 ERA ball while striking out more than a quarter of opponents as a rookie. Slaten pitched his way into a setup role by the end of that season. While he has remained a trusted leverage arm over the last two years, he has battled injuries and hasn’t been quite as effective. Slaten missed a couple months with shoulder inflammation in 2025 and pitched to a 4.24 ERA over 34 innings.
This year’s 31 1/3 frames will go down as a career low. Slaten’s ERA climbed further to 4.60 despite his pushing his strikeout rate to a personal-best 28.5% clip. He and Tyron Guerrero are tied for second on the team with 17 holds, trailing Garrett Whitlock’s 25. Only Whitlock and Aroldis Chapman have pitched in higher-leverage situations on average.
Despite the loss, Boston should go into October with one of the best relief groups in the American League. Chapman remains an elite closer. Whitlock is on the short list of the best setup men in MLB. Erik Miller has been fantastic since coming over from the Giants at the deadline, giving them a high-octane lefty whom they can call upon before the ninth inning.
Brayan Bello has struggled as a starter but pitched very well out of the bullpen this year. Guerrero, who should return from the injured list this week, has been a nice find on an offseason minor league deal. Alec Gamboa has emerged as a decent lefty option in the middle innings, while Greg Weissert has performed well since coming back from Triple-A a month ago.
Garrett Crochet, Tanner Houck and Johan Oviedo are all working back from injury and may be available in October — though only Crochet would be a lock for the 13-pitcher playoff roster even if they’re all healthy. Slaten is on the 15-day injured list and can move to the 60-day IL to open the 40-man roster spot if any of Crochet, Houck or Oviedo are able to come off the injured list.
Hence then, the article about red sox expect justin slaten to miss remainder of 2026 was published today ( ) and is available on MLBtraderumors ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Red Sox Expect Justin Slaten To Miss Remainder Of 2026 )
Also on site :