Hanrahan down with hamstring injury
Red Sox closer Joel Hanrahan got off to a great start at the beginning of the season. His first three outings were spectacular; he threw three innings while striking out two and not allowing a single run. His next three outings were not so good: 1.2 innings, six earned runs, and four walks. It was as if someone had flipped a switch on the new closer, but a recent report shows that something may be amiss.
Hanrahan has been temporarily taken out of action due to what seems to be a hamstring injury. Hanrahan sent panic throughout all of Boston in Saturday’s game versus the Rays when he nearly handed them a win. After the game he remarked on issues with his mechanics, specifically citing his legs as the problem.
“I’m fighting some things with mechanics in my legs,” Hanrahan said. “It’s just something I’ve got to work on. I guess I’m more of a warm-weather guy, I don’t know. But it’s just something we’ve got to fight through.”
It appears Hanrahan is correct in saying he is a “warm-weather guy,” as he went to manager John Farrell Sunday morning to report soreness in his hamstring. Hanrahan injured his hamstring last April when with the Pirates, but after a few days of rest he was able to come back strong.
The hope is that he can do the same here in Boston. Farrell does not seem too fazed though as he maintains his calm demeanor as always.
“Clearly the right hamstring soreness is in the back of his mind,” Farrell said. “Looking at some video again this morning, it looks like his right leg is collapsed a little bit in his delivery. It’s caused him to work uphill or a little bit more side-to-side and not have that same effectiveness. He’s day-to-day right now.”
Andrew Bailey will take over the role as closer until Hanrahan is ready to get back on the mound. Bailey has been stellar thus far; over 4.1 innings of work he has yet to give up a run while striking out seven.
Until his hamstring heals, Hanrahan will just have to remain optimistic about returning strong. He’s pitching for a big market team now and the pressure is on, but he does not seem fazed.
“It’s something I’ve got to get right,” Hanrahan said. “Everybody’s got a little bump and bruise. At this point, I’m going to take a couple of days and get it right.”
