Stint In Triple-A Next Up For Kimbrel Before Returning To Red Sox Bullpen
BOSTON (CBS) -- After another successful bullpen session on Wednesday, it appears Craig Kimbrel is inching towards a return to the Boston bullpen.
A quick stint in Triple-A is up next for Kimbrel.
"He came though today's bullpen, I think, in good shape," manager John Farrell said of Kimbrel's outing on Wednesday. "The next step would be a game on Saturday with Pawtucket."
"Quick stint" may be a bit of an understatement, as Farrell said Kimbrel may make just one appearance for the PawSox before rejoining Boston on their 11-game road trip.
"It'll just be dependent upon, physically, how Craig feels," said Farrell. "If he feels like just the one appearance, just to get back into a game environment, puts him in a good spot to rejoin us out on the West Coast, that would be the most optimistic scenario."
Kimbrel, who underwent MCL surgery back on July 11, has 17 saves in 19 opportunities for Boston this season, sporting a 3.55 ERA with 50 strikeouts in 33 innings of work.