BOSTON — Red Sox reliever Edward Mujica has avoided the disabled list.
Mujica felt oblique discomfort while warming up in the bullpen before the ninth inning of Saturday’s game against the Oakland Athletics at Fenway Park. The ailment prompted the Red Sox to call upon Chris Capuano — and eventually Koji Uehara — on Saturday, but Mujica said Sunday morning he feels better and Boston decided not to put the right-hander on the DL.
Red Sox manager John Farrell said Mujica likely will be unavailable for Sunday’s series finale against the A’s. The Sox are off Monday, which will enable the reliever to get some additional rest. Farrell said the club will reevaluate Mujica on Tuesday before the Red Sox begin a two-game series against the Cincinnati Reds at Fenway.
“You put him through some functional tests — more range of motion and rotational — before you put a ball in his hands,” Farrell said. “That’s the progression he’s going through.”
Mujica said after Saturday’s game that he felt a “pinch” whenever he took a deep breath. It’s something the 29-year-old said he’s never dealt with in his career.
Mujica, who signed a two-year, $9.5 million contract with the Red Sox over the offseason, figured to be Boston’s secondary closer on days in which Uehara is unavailable. He has struggled to this point, though, posting a 9.00 ERA in 10 innings over 11 appearances.
