Red Sox’s Alex Cora Issues Clarifying Update On Injured Reliever

BOSTON — The Red Sox made several pre-trade deadline acquisitions, including swinging a trade for right-handed relief pitcher Luis García who was placed on the 15-day injured list before the team snapped its four-game losing streak on Tuesday night.

García’s injury, which came just 11 relief appearances deep into the 37-year-old’s first stint with Boston, isn’t expected to be anything major. Although the right-hander has undergone a struggling stretch since joining the Red Sox in July, the franchise will need all the assistance and depth it can snag as the regular season heads for its conclusion.

“García with elbow inflammation, not season-ending so we’ll see where we’re at in the coming days,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora revealed before Wednesday night’s matchup against the Blue Jays at Fenway Park.

Boston’s chief baseball officer Craig Breslow acquired García to help stabilize the team’s bullpen, providing a 12-year experienced arm to prevent any late-inning meltdowns to secure some desperately needed second-half wins. But so far, that plan hasn’t panned out in favor of the Red Sox as García’s first 11 1/3 innings of relief with Boston have produced an inflated 10.32 ERA. García entered the All-Star break with a 4.32 ERA with three saves in 40 appearances (40 1/3 innings), but in the second half, it’s risen to a 5.04 ERA with opponents hitting .318 with four home runs in 14 appearances (14 2/3 innings).

Fellow Red Sox relief pitchers Liam Hendricks, who’s expected to make a rehab appearance with Triple-A Worcester on Thursday, and Cam Booser, who’s slated to begin his rehab on Thursday, remain on track to return and join Boston’s bullpen amid its most critical stretch.