Boston Red Sox relievers Liam Hendriks (hip) and Justin Slaten (shoulder) are both in the midst of throwing programs, with Hendriks playing catch up to 150 feet, according to the Boston Herald's Gabrielle Starr. Hendriks landed on the injured list back on May 30 with right-hip inflammation but resumed throwing in the middle of June. However, the 36-year-old veteran is a ways off from a return and most likely won't be back in Boston's bullpen as a setup man until after the mid-July All-Star break. The Australian native is a three-time All-Star and has 116 career saves, but he missed all of last year due to injury and was rusty in 14 relief outings with Boston this year, allowing 11 runs (10 earned) with seven walks and 12 K's in 13 2/3 frames. Slaten has been out a month with shoulder inflammation and also likely won't be back until the second half.

The Boston Red Sox have placed right-handed pitcher Justin Slaten (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation. The 27-year-old has not made an appearance since May 28. In a corresponding move, the Red Sox promoted left-handed pitcher Luis Guerrero from Triple-A Worcester. Through the first two months of the season, Slaten has been an effective high-leverage relief option in the Boston bullpen. Through 23 1/3 innings of work, the 27-year-old has posted a 3.47 ERA with a stellar 0.90 WHIP. He has tallied three saves and four holds. Under the hood, he has generated an elite 2.50 xERA and has allowed hard contact at a 34.3% rate. With Slaten sidelined, fantasy managers should expect Aroldis Chapman to remain the primary closer with Garrett Whitlock operating as a primary setup man.

Boston Red Sox right-hander Justin Slaten preserved a 4-2 win over the Chicago White Sox on Monday. Slaten pitched a scoreless ninth inning while not allowing a baserunner and notching one strikeout to pick up the save. The 27-year-old hurler is perfect in three save chances this season while adding a 4.00 ERA, 0.56 WHIP, and eight strikeouts over nine innings of work on the season. Slaten and left-hander Ardolis Chapman remain part of a committee in Boston as the latter got the hold while allowing a one-run eighth inning. Both relievers hold some fantasy value, although they might provide an occasional headache while siphoning save chances away from each other.

Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Justin Slaten slammed the door on the Rays in the ninth to earn his second save of the season. Slaten got the call from manager Alex Cora with Aroldis Chapman unavailable after pitching three of the last four nights. He retired the heart of the Rays order with a one-run lead, getting Junior Caminero to fly out to center field before striking out Christopher Morel and Jose Caballero to end the game. Slaten had one rough outing against the Orioles, giving up four runs without retiring an out. However, aside from that outing, he has not allowed a run in his eight games, earning a save in both of his chances and retiring the side in order in each of his last four innings. He will continue to sneak a save whenever Chapman isn't available, but Chapman is still Boston's closer of choice for now.

Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Justin Slaten was called upon to hold a three-run lead during Thursday's season opener against the Texas Rangers. This is an interesting development after the organization recently said Aroldis Chapman would be the primary closer. Instead, Chapman was called upon to the face left-handed batter Corey Seager to start the eighth inning. It's worth noting that the game was tied until Wilyer Abreu blasted a three-run home run in the ninth inning. That being said, Slaten did get the save opportunity, but it wasn't like the team was planning to give him the ball in the ninth from the beginning of the contest. However, the Red Sox have made it known that they will play matchups and use Chapman earlier in the game if needed. That being said, Slaten is someone worth keeping an eye on right now.

Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Justin Slaten earned his first career save during Sunday's game against the Seattle Mariners. The right-hander was taken by the New York Mets in the Rule 5 Draft, but then was immediately traded to Boston. Slaten was fantastic during the spring and appears to have carried that over into the regular season. He threw 2 1/3 scoreless innings during Sunday's victory. Current closer Kenley Jansen (back) is nursing an injury and Chris Martin is a possible trade candidate if the season goes sideways. That being said, Slaten could be a possible late inning option for the Red Sox at some point this season.