Andrew Bailey is no longer the Red Sox’ closer. He doesn’t think that will be the case very long, though.
Bailey, who has been relieved of Boston’s ninth-inning duties after blowing another save on Thursday, said before Friday’s game that he expects to regain the closer’s role at some point this season.
“One bad week doesn’t necessarily make a bad year,” Bailey told reporters in Detroit. “The guy that was here in April and May is still here. I just need to work on some things and I’ll be back out there. I fully believe I’m the guy here to do that job. Right now, we’re going to go with someone else for a little bit, but I don’t think it’s a permanent thing.”
Bailey was sharp early on this season, and he eventually took over the closer’s role after Joel Hanrahan battled both injuries and ineffectiveness. Bailey has struggled mightily of late, though, blowing three of his last five save chances heading into Friday’s game against the Tigers. That prompted John Farrell to name Koji Uehara the new closer for the time being.
Bailey said that he understands Farrell’s decision to go in another direction because he simply isn’t getting the job done. The right-hander is as confident as he is understanding.
“I’ll throw that last pitch of the year,” Bailey said.
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