Mujica Temporarily Replaces Uehara As Red Sox' Closer
BOSTON (CBS) -- Koji Uehara will not be closing games for the Boston Red Sox for the near future, but the team hopes to have him back pitching the ninth inning by the end of the season.
Red Sox manager John Farrell announced that Uehara has been temporarily moved out of the closer's role on Friday, and Edward Mujica will now have the honors of closing out games for Boston.
Farrell said Uehara, who blew his third save in his last five chances Thursday night in New York, will get a few days off and then pitch in "lower-leverage" situations.
"He was understanding and understands the reason for it," said Farrell. "Ideally, we have him close out games before the season ends. That's the plan moving forward. When that is remains to be seen."
Farrell said they will not shut down Uehara, who has allowed 10 earned runs on 14 hits over his last six appearances.
"First of all he's healthy, so there is no reason to shut down a healthy player," said Farrell. "There is no intent to shut him down... We're dealing with a stretch of games that might be similar to a stretch he had when he first started with Texas, and we're working with him to get through this."
In 56 appearances this season, Mujica is 2-4 with a 4.13 ERA and has three saves, one blown save and three holds.
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