Red Sox’s Heath Hembree Not Dealing With Injury, Despite Struggles

Heath Hembree has struggled since his return from the injured list, but the Boston Red Sox aren’t concerned about a potential injury.

Alex Cora was asked about Hembree’s recent problems on the hill before Saturday afternoon’s matchup with the New York Yankees at Fenway Park, but Cora didn’t mention any physical ailments. The right-hander gave up two runs on two hits and one walk without recording an out in Boston’s 10-5 win on Friday.

“The breaking ball wasn’t good,” Cora said, per MassLive’s Christopher Smith. “The fastball command wasn’t great. As everybody knows, (Hembree) is a guy that lives upstairs regardless of the velocity and everything was down in the zone. He hung a slider to (Austin) Romine. … I think the command of the fastball wasn’t there.”

Hembree has surrendered seven runs on 10 hits with four walks in nine appearances since returning from the injured list. The reliever previously was dealing with a right elbow extensor strain.

In 34 2/3 innings this season, Hembree has posted a 3.63 ERA with 42 strikeouts.