It was understood that part of the reason Ryan Brasier was behind the other relievers in this spring training stemmed from having to tend to a personal issue at the outset of camp.
But Sunday morning, Red Sox manager Alex Cora revealed another obstacle for Brasier that cropped up in the offseason.
"With Ryan, he actually, during the offseason working out, he suffered a small fracture below his pinky, his throwing hand," Cora said. "It wasn’t something that needed surgery but obviously needed time. He was on track as far as his rehab, his progression and everything. He was actually here early in January to take care of that stuff but for personal reason he had to go home and it slowed him down. It put him behind. His progression, he feels good about it. But I think the time he missed early in camp, it put him behind with his schedule. We have to be smart about it. He’s very important or us and we don’t want to push him. I know he wants to do it. We appreciate that but at the same time we have to be very smart with him because as you guys know he’s a very important part of our bullpen. It happened working out in Texas."
Whether or not the setbacks will threaten Brasier's availability for Opening Day remains to be seen, although the righty still hasn't pitched in Grapefruit League action.
If Brasier isn't ready, it might alleviate some tough decisions for Cora and Co., at least in the short term. With the Red Sox' plan to carry 14 pitchers, it would seem the candidates to fill out the final spot in the bullpen are Austin Brice (who doesn't have options), Phillips Valdez and Colten Brewer (who both do have options) and Rule 5 pick Garrett Whitlock.
Brasier was excellent for the final 1 1/2 months of the two-month 2020 season, turning in a 1.89 ERA and .192 batting average against in his final 18 appearances (dating back to Aug. 16).
