Jake Diekman gives great answer on being Red Sox closer after clutch performance

With Matt Barnes still unavailable with a back injury and Garrett Whitlock slated to pitch next in Detroit, the Red Sox needed an arm to trust to take on the heart of the Yankees’ order in the ninth inning on Sunday night. So Alex Cora called upon Jake Diekman for the save situation.

The veteran left-hander, who signed with Boston for two years and $8 million this offseason, rose to the occasion to strike out Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and Joey Gallo to finish off a 4-3 win and Boston’s first victory of 2022.

While the Red Sox do not have a full-time closer set in stone at this point, Diekman showed poise in making quality pitches with the game on the line. Diekman historically worked as a setup man prior to joining the Red Sox, and he will most likely operate in that role most often moving forward. At the same time, his performance on Sunday night keeps him in the mix as a candidate to give Barnes and Whitlock more breathers as a fill-in closer.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Diekman noted - profanely - that having a set role in the bullpen is not a priority. When asked after the game if he wanted to be the closer, Diekman replied: "I don't really give two s***s."

Diekman looks to continue to be a high-leverage arm for Cora to turn to after building some early confidence.

Red Sox Opening Day ended up being pushed back due to rain in New York, but the team still released it's initial roster on Thursday. As part of the new CBA, teams will begin the season with 28 players, up from 26 (the limit returns to 26 on May 2).

This year's Opening Day roster includes 15 pitchers and 13 hitters, with three Major Leaguers beginning the season on the IL. Here's a look at the group the Red Sox will begin the season with...

--RHP Nathan Eovaldi
--RHP Nick Pivetta
--RHP Tanner Houck
--RHP Michael Wacha
--LHP Rich Hill

This rotation, especially the bottom three spots, could be flexed as the season begins. Tanner Houck begins the year as the third starter, but could also be flexed to the bullpen. Garrett Whitlock is beginning the season in the bullpen, but could be moved to the rotation.

--RHP Matt Barnes
--RHP Garrett Whitlock
--RHP Hansel Robles
--RHP Ryan Brasier
--RHP Hirokazu Sawamura
--RHP Kutter Crawford
--RHP Phillips Valdez
--LHP Matt Strahm
--LHP Jake Diekman
--LHP Austin Davis

After struggling down the stretch last season, Matt Barnes bounced back with a strong performance this spring. He'll likely begin the season as the closer, although Garrett Whitlock could see time in that role as well. The remainder of the bullpen is still being sorted out, with the two extra roster spots being used to get a longer look at the situation.

--Christian Vazquez
--Kevin Plawecki

No changes from last year. With a lot of moving pieces both in the rotation and bullpen, how these two work with the staff will be as important as what they add at the plate.

--1B Bobby Dalbec
--2B Trevor Story
--SS Xander Bogaerts
--3B Rafael Devers
--CIF Travis Shaw
--IF Jonathan Arauz
--IF Christian Arroyo

With the addition of Story, this might be one of the best infields in all of baseball. How this season goes for the Red Sox hinges on this group as much as any other.

--Jackie Bradley Jr.
--Alex Verdugo
--J.D. Martinez
--UT Kiké Hernandez

The addition of Story to play second base does free up Hernandez to play more in the outfield, which will be a big help. The Red Sox are going to be forced to use Martinez some in the outfield due to a lack of depth at the position. If the team is going to make an in-season move, it should come at a corner outfield position.

--LHP Chris Sale
--LHP James Paxton
--LHP Josh Taylor

Both Sale and Paxton will begin the year on the 60-day IL. Sale is dealing with a rib injury he suffered training during the lockout, and his timetable is uncertain. Paxton is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, and may not pitch this year. Taylor is dealing with a back issue, and is on the 10-day IL.

There will be plenty of roster moves throughout the season, so these aren't the only 28 players you'll see suit up for the Red Sox this year. Who just missed the cut that could make the jump from Worcester?

If the Red Sox need another starting pitcher, recalling Connor Seabold as an opener would be an option. Seabold made his major league debut in 2021, throwing three innings in his lone start.

In the bullpen, the team has more options. Darwinzon Hernandez spent significant time with the club last year, and could come back for a stint. Eduard Bazardo also figures to factor in, although he was DFA'ed on Thursday. Tyler Danish had a strong spring, and despite being optioned during final roster cuts could see Major League time as well. There are also rookie options in Kaleb Ort and Durbin Feltman.

As mentioned above, the Red Sox currently lack depth in the outfield. If they feel like that's a situation that needs to be addressed quickly, both Jarren Duran and Rob Refsnyder would be candidates to be recalled.

The real name to know here though is first baseman Triston Casas. Casas is the top prospect in the Red Sox organization, and is expected to be MLB-ready at some point this year. Bobby Dalbec currently projects as the weak link in the infield, and if he gets off to a slow start expect to hear the calls for Casas to make  his debut.

NEXT: Mazz: How the Red Sox played hardball with Giancarlo Stanton last night – and won