The beleaguered Boston Red Sox bullpen has taken yet another hit.
Matt Barnes has been placed on the COVID-19 injured list, becoming the fourth Boston player overall to hit the reserve in the last few days. Fellow reliever Martin Perez was also placed on the list Monday, the team announced.
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Barnes has struggled mightily in the month of August, going 1-3 with a 13.50 earned run average in 11 appearances. A first-time All-Star this season, Barnes has seen his ERA balloon from 2.25 at the beginning of the month to 3.81 through Monday.
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It was not immediately clear if Barnes had tested positive for COVID-19. He last pitched a third of an inning in Sunday's 7-5 loss to the Cleveland Indians.
Perez, who began in the year in Boston's rotation, has a 6.43 ERA over nine appearances since being demoted to the 'pen earlier in August. His last appearance was Saturday, also for a third of an inning, in a 5-3 Boston win.
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To address the bullpen issue earlier Monday, the Red Sox acquired veteran right-hander Brad Peacock from the Indians. Peacock has been pitching for Cleveland's Triple-A affiliate in Columbus in 2021, going 0-4 with a 7.68 ERA.