Barnes credits Workman for curve
Matt Barnes and Brandon Workman were walking out from the Camden Yards dugout to the bullpen Friday night, like they’ve likely done many times as Red Sox teammates over the last seven years, when Workman was called back.
Workman, along with Heath Hembree, had been traded to the Phillies in the Red Sox’ first move prior to the deadline.
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Barnes had seen the rumors swirling around his two friends and longtime teammates all day. He understands it’s a business. But it was still difficult to accept.
It was especially hard for him to see Workman go. They became close friends after meeting as teammates with the Wareham Gatemen of the Cape Cod League in 2009, then coming up through the Red Sox system together. Barnes learned a lot from Workman, including how to throw a curveball.
“He’s probably helped me more than any other player has helped me in my professional career,” Barnes said. “I remember sitting in Double-A with him and (Anthony) Ranaudo behind an L-screen trying to figure out how to throw a curveball because I, for the life of me, couldn’t do it. And his ability to come back and overcome things, he was a guy who went through Tommy John and missed almost two years, came back and was on the brink of not making the team last year and to go from all of that to then being one of the most dominant relievers on the planet.
“The mental fortitude that takes and the will, and the grit and the desire and the work ethic that he brought to the field and the leadership he brought to this team every single day, it made a huge impact not only on myself and where I’m at in my career but on a lot of the guys in this clubhouse so he’s a great teammate and somebody you could always count on to be there regardless of the situation. Also to give you a kick in the ass when you need it, which some of us need.”
Barnes will certainly take those lessons into his new role with the Red Sox.
He won’t be a closer in the traditional sense, but he’ll be used in high-leverage situations in either the eighth or ninth, depending how that particular game is shaping out.
It’s a similar role to what he was in last season, when the Red Sox employed something of a closer by committee until Workman emerged as the closer. There was some confusion about exactly what Barnes’ role was last season, but after going through it and talking with Red Sox manager Ron Roenicke about it Saturday, he feels much better about it.
“There was still a little bit of uncertainty of how exactly that was going to work and having gone through that now and talking with Rags today, I think there’s a greater clarity on exactly what he’s looking for,” Barnes said.
As for Barnes’ future with the Red Sox, who are certainly active on the trade market, he said he wasn’t worrying Friday, in the wake of seeing Workman and Hembree leave, about possibly being next. He admitted it’s naturally something he wonders about, but does his best to not let it be the focus.
“If rumors and stuff start floating around, obviously you’re going to see them, but at the end of the day, I’m on the Red Sox right now and I need to go out there and be prepared to go get three, four, five outs, whatever it may be that’s called upon me if the situation arises,” Barnes said.
“Obviously things can change by the minute right now, but that’s part of the business, that’s part of what we sign up for and until Chaim (Bloom) or Rags or somebody calls me into the office and says you’re no longer with us, my full attention and my full devotion is to this organization and winning ballgames.”
Making moves
The Red Sox recalled lefthander Jeffrey Springs and right-hander Robert Stock from their alternate training site to fill the two open roster spots left by Workman and Hembree. Roenicke said they’ll be used early in games to eat up innings if and when a starter can’t go deep. …
Andrew Benintendi, who was placed on the 10-day injured list on Aug. 12 with a right rib cage strain, is still “a ways” from returning, Roenicke said. The manager wasn’t sure if he had taken further X-rays.
Brewers’ Holt sent down
Former Red Sox utility man Brock Holt was designated for assignment by the Brewers on Saturday. Holt, who was a fan favorite in Boston from 2013-19, had gone just 3-for-30 in 16 games this season.