The Red Sox bullpen is going to be without a major piece for a while.
The team announced that Heath Hembree is headed to the 10-day injured list with a right elbow extensor strain. The move is retroactive to June 11. Taking Hembree's place on the 25-man roster is Josh Taylor.
Hembree has not allowed a run in his last nine appearances and has surrendered just one earned run in 17 1/3 innings over his last 20 outings, a stretch in which he has held opponents to a .119 batting average. He last appeared Monday against Texas, retiring all four batters he faced, three via strikeouts.
The righty has become one of the most valuable pieces of the Red Sox bullpen, joining Matt Barnes, Marcus Walden and Brandon Workman as the late-inning options for Alex Cora. He was slated to pitch the seventh inning Thursday night before complaining of forearm soreness.
Taylor has made five appearances for the Red Sox.