John Farrell identifies Matt Barnes as Red Sox new set-up guy

Credit: Matt StoneThe next man in the set-up job: Matt Barnes.

In spring training, it was Joe Kelly that Farrell kept talking up as the eighth-inning guy, at least until Tyler Thornburg and Carson Smith return from their respective injuries. But with 3-\u2154 mostly-impressive innings from Barnes to start the year, Farrell is now looking at a different pitcher to handle the eighth.

“Depending on the inning,” Farrell said. “You know, I think the way Matt Barnes has thrown the baseball you would say that he’s going to have the eighth inning provided he’s not gone two innings the day before. So, you know, as best we can and as rapidly as we can to settle into roles, we’re moving in that…