ALERT: Chad Tracy REVEALS Justin Slaten Injury—Is the Boston Red Sox SEASON in DANGER?

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The Red Sox just lost one of their most reliable bullpen arms that they were really hoping to have in October. So who replaces him? Because the answer might completely change this bullpen. [upbeat music] You are Locked On Red Sox, your daily Boston Red Sox podcast. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. Hello, and welcome to Locked On Red Sox, your daily Boston Red Sox podcast. I'm your host, Gaby Maljanian, and today's episode is brought to you by Calci. For a limited time, download Calci and use code LOCKEDON to get $25 when you trade $25. Calci, trade what's next. Happy Thursday. Welcome to the show. Lots and lots of pitching to discuss today. Garrett Crochet and Tanner Houk on their way back. Where could they potentially fit with this team? Who replaces a key reliever that is now out, and who is that reliever, and what impact does it make on the Boston Red Sox? So unfortunately, Justin Slayton is out for the rest of the season. Red Sox manager Chad Tracy delivered the news on Tuesday prior to the series opener against the Rangers. He will not return for the remainder of the 2026 season, unfortunately, after a recent evaluation revealed degenerative changes in his right flexor mass. So what happened is he had been sidelined since August with right elbow inflammation, and he traveled with the Red Sox to Arlington, where he received an evaluation from Dr. Keith Meister, who revealed the degenerative changes in his flexor mass that required a PRP injection. So that evaluation changed the Red Sox plans for him. Instead of attempting to bring him back late in the season, the team will have him receive a platelet-rich plasma injection and focus on his recovery for 2027. So obviously a tough blow. He made 36 appearances for Boston this season, going two and four with a 4.60 ERA and a 1.37 walks plus hits per innings pitched over 31.1 innings. The 29-year-old had provided the Red Sox with a reliable bullpen option before his elbow issues returned. This is also his fourth injured list stint across three Major League seasons, so he hasn't actually been able to show that he can stay healthy, which is truly unfortunate. So that's a big blow because you look at Justin Slayton and you think, "That is a high-leverage reliever." And at first glance you see that 4.60 ERA and you think, "Okay, that's not that bad," because he hasn't been pitching that well, but it's a much bigger loss than that number makes it look because his value isn't just about his earned run average over 31 innings, it's about the type of pitcher that the Red Sox just lost, the