The Boston Red Sox are thinking outside the box to work Nathan Eovaldi back into the mix.
Tom Caron of NESN reported on Monday that the right-hander will close for the team once he returns from the injured list. Caron also says that Eovaldi will be a traditional closer and not part of a bullpen-by-committee.
The 29-year-old Eovaldi has been out since April with a pitching elbow injury but should hopefully be back after the All-Star break. Meanwhile, the Red Sox bullpen has been unspectacular this season (4.37 ERA as a unit, per ESPN), and they have largely gone with a timeshare in the ninth inning.
Eovaldi, a starter for his entire career, had a successful cameo as a reliever in last year’s World Series and may be a solution for the underachieving Red Sox in his new role.
