Slaten allowed one hit and zero walks in a scoreless ninth inning to pick up his second save of the season in Sunday's season finale against Tampa Bay.
Slaten allowed a bunt single to Dylan Carlson to lead off the ninth but otherwise had no trouble wrapping things up. With incumbent closer Kenley Jansen on the injured list, Slaten was able to notch his first save since March 31. The 27-year-old Slaten had an encouraging rookie season out of the Red Sox bullpen, pitching to a 2.93 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 58:9 K:BB in 55.1 innings with six wins, 13 holds and two saves. The 37-year-old Jansen is set to become a free agent, so Slaten could find himself in the mix for saves next season.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Sunday that he will "mix and match" at closer with Slaten and Chris Martin following the season-ending injury to Kenley Jansen (shoulder), Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.
Slaten has looked sharp since returning from his elbow injury last month, posting a 1.69 ERA and 12:2 K:BB over 10.2 innings covering 11 appearances. Cora indicated Sunday that he envisions the Rule 5 pick as a potential long-term closer option, and the 27-year-old could get a look in the role this week. Jansen is an impending free agent, so Boston will be looking for a new closer next season.
Slaten struck out one over a scoreless inning in the second game of Monday's doubleheader against Toronto.
Slaten, who was activated from the 15-day injured list earlier in the day, made his first appearance for the Red Sox since July 7. He came on in the fourth inning and worked around an infield error. The Red Sox have felt Slaten's loss, and they hope the right-hander can stabilize what has been a shaky bullpen in the second half.
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Red Sox's Justin Slaten: Returns from IL
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The Red Sox activated Slaten (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Monday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.
Slaten has been shelved since just before the All-Star break with right elbow inflammation, but he's been cleared to return after allowing one run while retiring one batter in his lone rehab appearance. The righty has been an excellent find for the Red Sox as a Rule 5 pick, having collected a 3.38 ERA and 45:9 K:BB over 42.2 frames.
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Red Sox's Justin Slaten: Throws bullpen Sunday
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Slaten threw a bullpen session prior to Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.
Slaten began a rehab assignment Friday for Double-A Portland, in which he exhibited shaky command, and Sunday's session was to address those issues. Boston manager Alex Cora told MLB.com that Slaten will most likely be with the Red Sox "in the upcoming days." That could mean at least one more rehab appearance for the right-hander.
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Red Sox's Justin Slaten: Might need another outing
Rotowire
Boston manager Alex Cora was non-committal Saturday when asked if one rehab outing would be enough for Slaten (elbow) before returning from the 15-day injured list, MLB.com reports.
Slaten threw 17 pitches (eight strikes) for Double-A Portland on Friday, giving up a run on one hit and one walk while striking out one over one-third of an inning. Cora said Slaten was fine in terms of health but noted that the right-hander was out of rhythm. The Red Sox will evaluate him this weekend and decide if Slaten needs another rehab outing prior to being activated.
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Red Sox's Justin Slaten: Begins rehab assignment
Rotowire
Slaten (elbow) allowed one run on one hit and one walk while striking out one over one-third of an inning for Double-A Portland on Friday.
Slaten kicked off a rehab assignment Friday and threw 17 pitches (eight strikes). The Red Sox haven't indicated whether the right-handed setup reliever will require additional rehab outings before he is activated.
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Red Sox's Justin Slaten: Set for rehab assignment
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Slaten (elbow) is expected to begin a rehab assignment Friday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
Slaten threw a bullpen session Monday, and he's now slated to take the final step in his recovery from right elbow inflammation. It's unclear where Slaten will report to for his rehab assignment, but he likely won't require an extensive stay before ultimately returning to the Red Sox bullpen.
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Red Sox's Justin Slaten: Bullpen Monday, rehab stint after
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Slaten (elbow) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Monday and start a minor-league rehab assignment shortly thereafter, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.
Slaten will incorporate an up and down into Monday's bullpen before embarking on what's expected to be a brief rehab assignment. The 26-year-old has been on the shelf since July 12 due to elbow inflammation. The issue wasn't expected to sideline Slaten for more than the minimum 15 days, but his recovery was thrown off schedule by an illness.
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Red Sox's Justin Slaten: Now throwing at 120 feet
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Slaten (elbow) has been cleared to throw up to 120 feet, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.
Slaten has been progressing through a throwing program after landing on the 15-day injured list due to right elbow inflammation July 12. He's yet to gain clearance for mound work but could get approval to do so shortly if all continues to go well in his rehab.
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Red Sox's Justin Slaten: Limited to playing catch
Rotowire
Slaten (elbow) remains limited to playing catch from 75 feet out as of Monday, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.
Slaten landed on the 15-day injured list July 12 with right elbow inflammation and was believed to be in line for a minimum-length stay on the shelf, but a bout with an illness ended up delaying him from starting up a throwing program. He looks like he'll still need some time to increase his throwing distance off flat ground before the Red Sox clear him for mound work.
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Red Sox's Justin Slaten: Plays catch Saturday
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Slaten (elbow) played catch Saturday, MLB.com reports.
Slaten came out of the session feeling good and will continue to throw from flat ground for now. The Red Sox hope he won't require an extensive ramp-up period after that. The right-hander has been a key bullpen piece for Boston this season, and the team could have used him after being swept by the Dodgers over the weekend.
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Red Sox's Justin Slaten: Headed to IL
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The Red Sox placed Slaten on the 15-day injured list Friday with right elbow inflammation, retroactive to July 9, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.
Slaten has logged a 3.38 ERA across 42.2 innings with the Red Sox this season and will be shelved for at least two weeks to manage inflammation in his throwing elbow. Cam Booser was recalled from Triple-A Worcester in a corresponding move.
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Red Sox's Justin Slaten: Hits rough patch
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Slaten allowed two runs on two walks and struck out one over two-thirds of an inning in Thursday's 6-5 extra-innings win over Miami.
Slaten managed to pick up his ninth hold of the season, but he walked the eighth- and ninth-place batters and was replaced by Brennan Bernardino, who allowed both inherited runners to score. Slaten, a Rule 5 selection who has performed well overall, has hit a rough patch of late. In his last eight outings, the right-hander has allowed eight runs (seven earned) on nine hits (including two home runs) and four walks over 11 innings. Prior to that, Slaten owned a 2.73 ERA and walked just four batters in 29.2 innings.
