Peter Gammons of The Athletic storied potential names for an assortment of MLB teams with the Aug. 2 trade deadline looming. The one name he mentioned for the Boston Red Sox was Colorado Rockies reliever Daniel Bard.
When’s the last time you heard that name?
Bard’s last appearance with the Red Sox was in 2013, when he walked two batters in nine pitches. His struggle with the yips is well documented – he had a six-year hiatus from the majors including a two-year retirement because of it. But since 2020, he’s been back with the Rockies.
At the age of 37, Bard has his lowest career ERA. The 1.88 earned run average and 0.94 WHIP are a big reason his WAR (1.7) this season is the second best of his career. His slider gives opponents many problems this season, the opposing batting average against his specialty pitch is .094.
He also has 15 saves this season, and Boston has 14 blown saves this season. But since Tanner Houck took over the role in the month of June, he has six saves with a 1.54 ERA.
Gammons reported in the article that Boston is in the market for two right-handed relievers and that they will “likely be in” on trading for the familiar face. The only two Red Sox pitchers to have a better WAR than Bard this season are Nick Pivetta and Michael Wacha.
Boston is in second place in the American League East and at the top of the AL Wild Card picture at 42-31. Relief pitching seems to be the primary focus of improvement at the trade deadline. Colorado is last in the NL West this season at 31-42, so it shouldn’t be a surprise if they’re willing to sell quality players such as Bard for picks and prospects.
PHOTOS: Red Sox sweep three-game series over Guardians in Cleveland
Red Sox give injury updates on Chris Sale, two others
Sep 1, 2021; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale (41) throws a pitch during the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The Boston Red Sox currently hold a streak of seven consecutive wins, and now receive some promising injury updates regarding its pitching staff. Ace pitcher Chris Sale, along with James Paxton and Josh Taylor are all progressing towards taking the mound coming off injury.
Pitching is on fire for Boston over this seven-game stretch, allowing a 1.27 ERA in that span. Nathan Eovaldi and Nick Pivetta hold down the top of the rotation, and Michael Wacha provides the Red Sox with an unexpected spark. He’s 4-1 with a 1.99 ERA in nine starts and also has the most wins above replacement (WAR) of any Boston pitcher.
The additions of Sale, Paxton and Taylor could bulk up the rotation and add bullpen depth the Red Sox know they will need to compete with the league’s best.
Here’s the latest that we know on where each pitcher currently stands:
Chris Sale
Aug 13, 2019; Cleveland, OH, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale (41) delivers in the first inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
After suffering a stress fracture in his rib cage in February, Sale found himself starting the season on the 60-day IL. From there, a small personal medical issue caused a setback in his rehab process. That staged Chaim Bloom to tell media they were thinking his return would come, “a few weeks beyond” when he’s eligible, which was June 6.
Sale threw Wednesday after a “stomach bug” held him out of throwing on Tuesday, per Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic. McCaffrey also said that Sale will throw one more bullpen this weekend before throwing to hitters next week.
If Bloom’s words hold true and Sale doesn’t face any more setbacks, he should find himself in the Red Sox’s rotation in July.
James Paxton
SEATTLE, WA – SEPTEMBER 24: James Paxton #65 of the Seattle Mariners pitches against the Oakland Athletics in the second inning during their game at Safeco Field on September 24, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
Paxton signed a 1 year, $10 million deal with the Red Sox in the offseason. This came after a season where Paxton had a single start before needing Tommy John surgery in April of 2021.
There was a setback in early May where he experienced “posterior elbow soreness,” Bloom told reporters.
Boston Manager Alex Cora told media he is “hoping” that Paxton will throw on a mound during his team’s upcoming series in Seattle. Paxton started throwing, but has yet to do so on a pitching mound.
Due to the minor setback, Paxton’s timeline isn’t as solidified as Sale’s. Paxton told media he wanted to return before the All-Star break, which is July 18-20. That was before his setback, making it difficult to know when he will debut in the Red Sox’s pitching rotation.
Josh Taylor
Jun 23, 2021; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Josh Taylor (38) throws a pitch during the sixth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Just like Sale and Paxton, Taylor had an injury and then a setback to that injury. A back strain that started at the end of the 2021 season is making it for Taylor to find his way back in game action.
The relief pitcher also has a similar schedule to Sale, as McCaffrey reported that Taylor will throw a bullpen on Friday before facing hitters next week.
Taylor, nor Bloom or Cora has commented on when they think the 29-year-old righty to return to the bullpen.