Manager Alex Cora said Tuesday that Chapman will begin the season as the Red Sox's closer but could see occasional high-leverage work in an earlier inning if the matchup is right, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Browne used the example of Corey Seager leading off the eighth inning as a situation when Chapman may enter before the ninth, but the veteran left-hander should still see the bulk of the save chances early on for Boston. Liam Hendriks, Justin Slaten and Garrett Whitlock seem likely to begin the season as the next men up for saves in said situations, or when Chapman is unavailable.

Chapman "appears to have become the in-house favorite" to open the season as the Red Sox' closer, Chris Cotillo and Sean McAdam of MassLive.com report.

EDGE Analysis

Chapman has clearly outpitched Liam Hendriks (10.80 ERA) this spring, allowing two runs with a 10:4 K:BB over 5.1 innings. Walks are likely to continue to be a major problem for Chapman, but, even at 37, he remains one of the hardest throwers and best bat-missers in the game. His leash is likely to be short if he is indeed named Boston's closer, with Hendriks, Garrett Whitlock and Justin Slaten looming as alternatives.

Chapman's spring struggles along with those of Liam Hendriks leave Boston's closer role unsettled, Sean McAdam of MassLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Chapman has a 4.91 ERA with six walks through 3.2 spring innings, which is better than Hendriks, who has a 13.50 ERA and 11 hits allowed over four innings. Manager Alex Cora acknowledged both pitchers have been knocked around but is taking an optimistic view that both are "going to be OK." If neither Chapman nor Hendriks improve over the last two weeks of the Grapefruit League, then Justin Slaten, unaccustomed to the mental aspects of closing, might sneak in to take on the ninth-inning role.

Chapman hit 101 mph in his spring training debut Wednesday, but walked two batters and only threw 11 strikes among his 23 pitches, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports. He has slimmed down from 250 pounds to 230 pounds this spring.

EDGE Analysis

The early velocity is nice, and Chapman being wild is nothing new no matter what time of the season, given his 39 walks in 61.2 innings last season. Chapman, Liam Hendriks and Justin Slaten are competing for the closer's job, with Garrett Whitlock available for multi-inning saves.

Chapman agreed to a one-year, $10.75 million contract with the Red Sox on Tuesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Control continues to be a major issue for Chapman, who issued 39 free passes over 61.2 innings with the Pirates in 2024. However, he also struck out 98 batters and, even though he will turn 37 years old in February, he still ranked in the 98th percentile in fastball velocity this past season. With Kenley Jansen expected to depart in free agency, Chapman will be a candidate to close in Boston, along with Liam Hendriks and Justin Slaten.

Chapman threw a scoreless two-thirds of an inning Saturday to record his 14th save of the season in a 9-4 win over the Yankees. He struck out one.

EDGE Analysis

Jalen Beeks loaded the bases with one out in the ninth inning, forcing the Pirates to turn to their closer despite a big lead. Chapman needed only nine pitches (five strikes) to convert his eighth straight save chance, striking out Aaron Judge along the way with a 100.6 mph two-seamer. Even at 37 years old, Chapman can still pump heat over the plate, and his success during his late-season closing stint should re-assure prospective employers this winter as he heads back into free agency.

Chapman struck out two batters in a perfect inning to earn a save against the Yankees on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Chapman needed only eight pitches to quickly plow through the Yankees' 7-8-9 hitters and finish off the 4-2 win. It was his 13th save of the season and eight have come in September. He's converted seven consecutive save chances while posting a 2.57 ERA over his last seven appearances. Chapman owns a 3.84 ERA and a 97:39 K:BB through 61 innings this year.

Chapman earned the save against the Brewers on Wednesday, allowing one hit and striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning.

EDGE Analysis

Chapman was called upon to protect a 2-1 lead in the ninth and secured his 12th save when Willy Adames was thrown out trying to stretch a single into a double. Since allowing four earned runs in a blown save Sep. 7, Chapman has locked down six consecutive chances with eight strikeouts. On the season, the southpaw owns a 3.90 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 95:39 K:BB across 60 innings.

Chapman struck out two in a flawless ninth inning to pick up his 11th save of the season Sunday against the Reds.

EDGE Analysis

Called upon with a two-run lead in the ninth, Chapman quickly dispatched the heart of the Reds order to earn his 11th save of the season. Chapman has been outstanding since taking over the closer role from David Bednar in late August, collecting a save in each of his last five appearances. The veteran enters the last week of the season with a 3.97 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 94:39 K:BB with 22 holds while converting 11 of 16 saves.

Chapman earned a save against the Cardinals on Thursday, allowing one hit in one scoreless inning.

EDGE Analysis

Chapman entered in the bottom of the ninth inning with a one-run lead and gave up a leadoff single to Brendan Donovan. However, Donovan didn't advance any further, as Chapman retired the next three batters on just four pitches. Chapman has converted each of his past four save chances, though this was just the second time in that span that he hasn't allowed a run.