Red Sox News & Links: The Kyle Barraclough Game

Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty ImagesSo, about last night. . . It’s confusing that Kyle Barraclough, a 33-year-old who was playing independent league ball a few months ago and who wasn’t particularly effective in AAA, was brought in with the lead against the Astros in the first place, and then left out there even as it became apparent very quickly that he would not be effective. The strange bullpen usage has led to all sorts of speculation about whether Alex Cora may have been trying to send a message, was ready to give up on the season, or just plain blacked out. But according to one report, the medical staff informed Cora that almost no one other than Barraclough, Chris Martin, or Kenley Jansen was available out of the bullpen last night. (Sean McAdam, MassLive)

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