The Boston Red Sox placed veteran right-handed reliever Koji Uehara on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday with a right pectoral strain.
Uehara (2-3, 4.50 ERA) tossed just seven pitches in the ninth inning of Tuesday night’s 4-0 victory over San Francisco before grasping his right arm. The 41-year-old native of Japan quickly summoned Red Sox manager John Farrell to the mound and promptly made his exit into the clubhouse.
Boston, which is already without the services of closer Craig Kimbrel (knee), is expected to turn to recently acquired veteran right-hander Brad Ziegler to finish off games. The 36-year-old Ziegler (2-3, 2.61 ERA) notched 18 saves with Arizona this season before being traded to the Red Sox on July 9.
“As we’ve had to go to other guys to step up, we’ll look to do that. I can’t tell you at this point how much time Koji will miss,” Farrell said.
Boston recalled right-hander Noe Ramirez from Triple-A Pawtucket on Wednesday to fill Uehara’s roster spot. The 26-year-old has yet to record a decision this season and posted a 6.55 ERA in 11 appearances with the Red Sox.