Red Sox Bullpen Takes Another Major Hit With Justin Slaten Injury originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Boston Red Sox bullpen suffered another significant loss at the worst possible time.
Boston is placing right-handed reliever Justin Slaten on the injured list with elbow soreness, according to The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier. Left-hander Raymond Burgos will be recalled from Triple-A Worcester to fill Slaten’s roster spot.
The move comes only three days after the Red Sox placed setup man Garrett Whitlock on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation.
Boston now has lost two of its most trusted right-handed relievers in less than one week, leaving interim manager Chad Tracy with a much different late-inning picture behind closer Aroldis Chapman.
Justin Slaten Injury Creates Another Bullpen Problem
Slaten owns a 4.60 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 39 strikeouts this season. Those numbers are not as dominant as his 2.93 ERA from a terrific 2024 rookie campaign, but the 28-year-old has remained one of Boston’s most frequently used relievers. His absence is particularly concerning because of his injury history.
Justin Slaten is being placed on the IL with elbow soreness, according to @alexspeier. Another big hit for the Red Sox bullpen.
— Gordo (@BOSSportsGordo) August 16, 2026
Raymond Burgos recalled. pic.twitter.com/KO5mx0TWKY
Slaten spent time on the injured list with right elbow inflammation during the 2024 season. He then missed nearly three months in 2025 because of right shoulder inflammation.
The Red Sox have not announced the results of any additional testing or provided a potential recovery timeline. Describing the issue as soreness rather than inflammation or structural damage could be viewed as encouraging, but any elbow problem involving a pitcher deserves caution. Slaten also opened the 2026 season on the injured list with a right oblique strain. He completed rehab assignments with Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester before rejoining Boston on May 9.
The latest setback removes another bridge to Chapman.
Whitlock had been handling many of Boston’s most important setup situations before his elbow forced him to the injured list. Slaten was one of the natural candidates to inherit more of those opportunities.
Tracy instead will have to lean more heavily on Greg Weissert, Erik Miller, Seth Martinez and other available relievers during the late innings.
Raymond Burgos Returns After Strong Red Sox Audition
Burgos returns to Boston only one week after being optioned to Worcester. The 27-year-old made two appearances during his previous stint with the Red Sox and allowed two runs across six innings, producing a 3.00 ERA. He surrendered only two hits, did not issue a walk and recorded four strikeouts.
Burgos also earned his first major league save by finishing Boston’s 13-1 victory over the Athletics on Aug. 7. He followed that performance with three more innings two days later, allowing two runs during a 5-4 loss. His Triple-A numbers have been less impressive. Burgos owns a 5.54 ERA and 1.62 WHIP across 65 innings for Worcester, with 54 strikeouts.
The left-hander’s ability to cover multiple innings remains useful for a bullpen that could quickly become overworked. Burgos made 14 starts in his first 15 appearances for Worcester, so he is capable of absorbing more than a typical one-inning reliever.
That versatility does not make him a direct replacement for Slaten. Burgos gives Boston length and another left-handed option. He does not provide the proven late-inning experience Slaten and Whitlock brought to Tracy’s bullpen.
Red Sox Injury List Continues To Grow
Slaten’s placement is one of two injured-list moves Boston is making Sunday. Designated hitter Masataka Yoshida also is going to the injured list with a left hamstring strain. Mickey Gasper will replace Yoshida on the active roster.
The Red Sox already were without Whitlock, Garrett Crochet, Roman Anthony, Trevor Story, Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Curtis Mead. Some reinforcements are approaching. Story began a rehab assignment with Worcester on Sunday, while Anthony is scheduled to begin playing for Portland on Tuesday. Those returns will help the lineup, but they will not solve Boston’s bullpen problem.
The Red Sox have survived injuries throughout their surprising playoff push. Losing Whitlock and Slaten within days of each other presents one of their toughest challenges yet.
Boston still has Chapman at the back end.
Getting the ball to him with a lead just became considerably more difficult.