Barnes placed on 10-day DL with lower back strain

CLEVELAND -- After allowing the tying run to score in the eighth inning of Monday’s 5-4 loss to the Indians, Matt Barnes – tied for second in appearances in the American League – was asked how he felt in the final full week of August.

“I feel good right now, I do,’’ said Barnes.

Apparently something changed overnight. Barnes was placed on the disabled list Tuesday afternoon with a lower back strain. He was placed on the 10-day DL and replaced by righthander Hector Velazquez.



"It's something I dealt with a decent amount last year,'' said Barnes Tuesday after the announcement was made, "and this year, on-and-off. I came in today and it was tight, more tight than normal. That's kind of where we're at.''

Barnes, 6-3 with a 3.60 ERA, was also tied for sixth in innings pitched. But when asked whether he could benefit from an extended rest period – as the Sox gave Heath Hembree several weeks ago – Barnes gave little indication that that would be necessary.

“I haven’t talked to anybody about taking time or getting any extended period of time off,’’ said Barnes Monday night.  “It’s August. I challenge you find somebody who isn’t tired. We’ve played 120 games and we’re in the thick of things right now. This is the part (of the season) where you kind of have to man up and find a way to get through it and still perform and finish the season strong.’’

When asked the same question again Tuesday, Barnes didn't change his answer much.

"I'm focused on trying to make sure the lower back is right and ready to go,'' said Barnes. "It's not going to hurt (the arm to get some rest), but like I said, the main focus is making sure the back is OK, get it right, get it where it needs to be and be back out there in 10 days.''

Manager John Farrell would have liked to go to Addison Reed for the eighth inning, but citing Reed’s recent workload in the Yankees series – 31 pitches and five outs on Friday and another full inning on Sunday – he said Reed was unavailable.

Barnes walked the first hitter he faced, then allowed a line single to left before being lifted. The leadoff batter he walked -- Francisco Lindor -- then came around to score the tying run. The Indians won on a walk-off in the ninth against Brandon Workman.

Barnes filled the eighth inning role from the beginning of the season somewhat by default, with injuries to Carson Smith and Tyler Thornburg making both unavailable. When the Sox landed Reed on the day of the non-waiver deadline, it was to give Farrell more late-inning options, but Barnes has continued to see plenty of high-leverage usage.

He’s struggled away from Fenway, both with his walk rate (19 in 27.2 innings) and his overall performance (5.53 ERA).

"I'm not going to make excuses for not throwing the ball well (in recent weeks),'' Barnes said, "because of anything other than some inconsistencies and being in a bit of a funk.''