One day separates the Boston Red Sox from Opening Day, as the team made some big moves this offseason in hopes of returning to the postseason for the first time in three seasons.
As the team prepares for a four-game series in Texas to get the season underway, manager Alex Cora provided insight on who will close the majority of games for Boston this year.
Alex Cora Announces Aroldis Chapman as Primary Closer for Red Sox
The 37-year-old Chapman has been announced as the primary closer for Boston in 2025. This decision comes after a Spring Training battle between he and Liam Hendriks, where Chapman impressed, while Hendriks did not.
Aroldis Chapman will be the Red Sox primary closer, Alex Cora said (via @alexspeier🦋).
— Boston Sports Gordo (@BOSSportsGordo) March 25, 2025
He will also see some time in the 8th. pic.twitter.com/0NjLk2Jjty
Chapman signed a one-year, $10.75 million deal with the Red Sox in December. After losing Kenley Jansen and Chris Martin to free agency, the Red Sox chose to fill the void with the seven-time All-Star and 15-year MLB veteran.
The Holguin, Cuba native has 335 career saves and an impressive resume of postseason success. He was the primary closer for the 2016 Chicago Cubs and a key bullpen arm on the 2023 Texas Rangers as a two-time World Series champion.
While the Red Sox closer battle was mostly between Chapman and Liam Hendriks, the former pulled away with an impressive Spring showing. Chapman pitched 14.1 innings (8 appearances), striking out 14 batters en route to a 2.45 ERA.
Liam Hendriks didn't have the Spring he was hoping for after recovering from Tommy John surgery in 2024. The 36-year-old had a 9.95 ERA in 6.1 innings (7 appearances) while striking out four. Boston will be hoping for Hendriks to bounce back and find his stuff again in the bullpen. Hendriks has 116 career saves, being named an All-Star three times as a member of the Athletics and White Sox.
Chapman being announced as the team's closer doesn't mean he will only see time in the ninth, however. Manager Cora talked about how he plans to use the lefty fireballer, as situations may arise where Chapman could be needed in the eighth inning.
"But if Corey Seager leads off the eighth, he could be used in the eighth. And there's certain times he's gonna pitch the eighth, but most [often], he'll pitch the ninth inning."Alex Cora
Having Chapman ready to face left-handed hitters late in games is great for Boston, and should give them a matchup advantage that they didn't have last season.
The Red Sox bullpen consists of the aforementioned Chapman and Hendriks, Garrett Whitlock, Justin Slaten, Justin Wilson, Zack Kelly, and Greg Weissert. The final bullpen spot will either go to lefty Brennan Bernardino or Cooper Criswell.
Chapman will lead the charge for a Boston bullpen that's looking to improve on last year's 4.39 ERA (seventh-worst in the MLB), a group that needs to be better if the Red Sox want to return to the postseason.
This season, Boston looks to capture their first AL East title since 2018 and make the playoffs for the first time since 2021. On FanDuel Sportsbook, the Red Sox are (+260) to win the AL East and (-158) to make the playoffs.
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