MLB Injury Updates

Red Sox Rumors: Joel Hanrahan day-to-day with hamstring issue

Closer Joel Hanrahan has struggled in his last three appearances for the Red Sox. The flame-throwing righty is dealing a hamstring issue that is hampering his mechanics.

By Mattsullivan@EH_Decker Apr 14, 2013, 1:00pm EDT

Struggling Red Sox closer Joel Hanrahan is dealing with a soreness in one leg that is causing him mechanical issues on the mound, reports Evan Drellich of MassLive.com.

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The Red Sox acquired Hanrahan over the off-season in a trade with the Pirates to give them a better option at closer after a difficult season from closers Alfredo Aceves and Andrew Bailey in 2012. Hanrahan began the year with two saves in three strong outings but in his fourth appearance he began to show signs of the command issues that plagued him in 2012. He allowed two hits, including a home run, in that game but still recorded the save. His next outing was a disaster. He allowed five runs on three hits, two of which were home runs, and walked two batters while striking out just one, costing the Red Sox the win. He was replaced in the ninth inning last night without having recorded an out after walking both hitters he faced.

Control issues are nothing new for Hanrahan. Last season, he walked 5.4 batters per nine innings and over his career he has walked 4.4 per nine. He has also had trouble with his hamstrings in the past, missing five games last year with a related injury. Home runs have not troubled him nearly as much, however. He has a career 0.89 HR/9 rate with 9.4% of his flyballs finding the stands.

Hanrahan has been dealing with this hamstring soreness since his second appearance, reports Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald. Manager John Farrell describes the problem as "manageable," according to Lauber. He is not expected to be placed on the DL at this point, but he is considered day-to-day as result of this issue.