“I Just Don’t Know”: Alex Cora Under Fire for Overusing Red Sox Bullpen Amid Justin Slaten’s Mysterious Injury
Boston, MA – June 15, 2025 – Concerns are mounting over Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora’s potential overuse of his pitching staff, following a puzzling setback for pitcher Justin Slaten that has sparked speculation about bullpen fatigue.
🚨 Haunting Words from Slaten
After being activated from the injured list, Slaten was sent for further evaluation due to neck pain radiating to his right shoulder — an unusual issue for a pitcher. He expressed uncertainty in a worried tone:
“I just know that nobody knows what’s going on… Right now, it’s all day-by-day.”
⚾ The Pressure of the Numbers
According to EssentiallySports, the Red Sox bullpen has faced 1,115 plate appearances since the beginning of the season — the 6th highest in the league.
In May alone, starters failed to complete five innings in half of the team’s games, forcing Cora to tap into the bullpen early and often throughout the month.
🔍 Warning Signs Mount
Slaten is considered a high-leverage reliever, often deployed in the 8th inning before the closer.
In May, he appeared in 12 of the team’s 28 games, pitching more than one inning in seven outings — leading to signs of clear fatigue.
Slaten clarified the issue was neurological, not just muscle fatigue or general soreness.
🔎 Experts and Fans Raise Flags
Some analysts suggest that Cora has abandoned standard bullpen limits, relying more on instinct than on data analytics to guide usage.
On Reddit, loyal Red Sox fans echoed concerns:
“He used too many arms too hard, and now we’re burning through the reserves.”
🧩 Long-Term Consequences
Overusing the bullpen doesn’t just hurt the short-term performance — it can lead to long-term injury risks and physical burnout for pitchers.
With no clear recovery timeline for Slaten, the spotlight is now firmly on Cora. The big question looms:
Will he adjust his strategy to protect his pitching staff — or risk burning them out further?