Red Sox manager John Farrell confirmed that he plans to use Ziegler to close out games in the absence of Koji Uehara and Craig Kimbrel unless matchups dictate the need to use him in an earlier situation, Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal reports.

EDGE Analysis

Uehara is undergoing an MRI on Wednesday and has already been placed on the DL, while the Red Sox are still hoping that Kimbrel will return from his knee surgery within the initial three-to-six week timetable provided. Robbie Ross and Tommy Layne may also emerge as candidates for match-up based saves in the short term if Ziegler is needed in a high-leverage situation that arises earlier in the game.

Ziegler could be in line for save opportunities in the short term after Koji Uehara left Tuesday's game with a pectoral injury.

EDGE Analysis

Craig Kimbrel (knee) won't return until sometime in August, and Uehara could also be headed for a stay on the DL, although his prognosis may not be known until Wednesday. Ziegler has by far the most closing experience of anyone left standing in the Red Sox's bullpen, so he is the most likely candidate to save games in the short term.

Ziegler needed just seven pitches to record a perfect seventh inning in Friday night's win over the Yankees.

EDGE Analysis

Both of Ziegler's appearances since being acquired by the Red Sox have been perfect -- three up, three down -- and efficient. Twelve of the right-hander's 15 pitches have gone for strikes.

Ziegler mowed the side in order to preserve Boston's 4-0 win over Tampa Bay on Sunday. He struck out two and induced a groundball out with seven of his eight pitches finding the strike zone.

EDGE Analysis

This wasn't a save situation, but one could easily see how Ziegler will be a boost to Boston's bullpen, whether as a part-time closer of full-time setup guy. Manager John Farrell named Koji Uehara the temporary closer while Craig Kimbrel (knee) is out of action, but the 41-year-old Uehara's performance this season has not been worthy of being a closer. We suspect Ziegler will get some save opportunities over the next month, or perhaps elevate to the fill-in closer job if Uehara (4.81 ERA, eight homers, 33.2 innings) continues to pitch like he has in the first half of 2016.

Ziegler will serve as Boston's closer whenever Koji Uehara is not available while Craig Kimbrel (knee) remains on the disabled list, Meredith Perri of Mass Live reports. "Koji's our closer," manager John Farrell said after Saturday's win over the Tampa Bay Rays. "On days when he's not going to be available, we've got Brad to turn to."

EDGE Analysis

It looked like Ziegler, who had been closing for Arizona when he was acquired late Friday, could easily step into Boston's closer role after the Kimbrel injury, but Farrell felt Uehara was the better option. He told reporters that he thought it "important to maintain some consistency late in the game, and that's where Koji is going to serve as our closer." So, it looks like Ziegler will fill a late-inning role for Boston, but will not getting save chances like he was getting with the Diamondbacks.

Ziegler has been traded to the Red Sox for two minor leaguers.

EDGE Analysis

The Red Sox are shoring up their depth in the bullpen with the move, getting a versatile late-inning arm capable of inducing a heavy supply of his outs on the ground. Ziegler's BABIP (.330) is his highest mark since 2009, which has fueled his 1.46 WHIP this season. Despite his occasional struggles, Ziegler was 18-for-20 in save opportunities with the D-Backs this season after going 30-for-32 a year ago.

Ziegler (2-3) blew his second save as he allowed two runs on three hits and two walks to take the loss Tuesday against the Phillies.

EDGE Analysis

Ziegler has now blown two of his past three save opportunities and has given up eight baserunners over those three innings. His ERA is up to 2.88, but it will probably take a few more blowups like this before he runs the risk of losing his job to someone else in the Diamondbacks bullpen.

Ziegler blew his first save of the season but also picked up a win Thursday against the Rockies, allowing no earned runs in 1.2 innings while striking out two.

EDGE Analysis

Ziegler entered the game in the eighth with two runners on base, and he allowed a hit to tie the game. But he limited the damage from there, and the Diamondbacks scored the winning run in the top of the ninth. Ziegler's club-record streak of 43 consecutive saves came to an end.

Ziegler picked up his 15th save of the year in Monday's win over the Phillies, giving up one hit and striking out one in a scoreless ninth.

EDGE Analysis

Ziegler is perfect in save opportunities this season and has converted 43 straight dating back to last season. He entered Monday's game with just a 5.76 K/9 rate, but he continues to find a way to puzzle hitters and rack up saves.

Ziegler recorded his 14th save with a clean ninth inning in Saturday's 4-1 victory over the Phillies. He allowed only one hit and recorded a strikeout.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran closer remains perfect in save opportunities this season, and has a three-appearance scoreless streak as well. Ziegler often makes things at least mildly interesting when out there, but needed only eight pitches-- his lowest pitch count of any appearance this season-- to dispose of the Phillies on Saturday.