Joel Hanrahan tossed a scoreless ninth inning Wednesday to nail down his first save of the season in a win over the Yankees. Hanrahan permitted a leadoff single to Eduardo Nunez, but he then retired three straight, including one via the strikeout, to preserve the three-run lead. He also had a scoreless inning on Opening Day and is off to a nice start in his first year in Beantown.

Working in a major league game for the first time in nine days, Joel Hanrahan pitched a perfect frame against the Rays on Sunday. Hanrahan was also effective on May 9 after giving up nine runs -- six earned -- in his first three innings of the spring. The Red Sox acquired him to be their closer, and his job will be safe until he blows a couple of chances in the regular season.

Joel Hanrahan took a blown save after giving up three runs -- one earned -- in two-thirds of an inning against the Yankees on Sunday. It came in the sixth inning, rather than the ninth. Hanrahan was let down by his defense today, but he has only himself to blame for the two walks and a wild pitch. He's allowed five runs -- two earned -- and walked three in 2 2/3 innings this spring.

Joel Hanrahan said he would be open to a contract extension with the Red Sox. Hanrahan is a free agent after this season, but the Red Sox want to see how he pitches before considering a long-term deal. "It has been great here so far," Hanrahan said. " If they want to talk about something, I would listen."

Red Sox avoided arbitration with RHP Joel Hanrahan by agreeing to a one-year, $7.04 million contract. He receives a nice raise in his final year of arbitration after netting a $4.1 million salary last season. Hanrahan has notched 76 saves over the last two seasons and will be set to strike it rich as a free agent if he can put up another great year in his first season in Beantown.

Red Sox assistant general manager Brian O'Halloran said Wednesday that manager John Farrell wants the newly-acquired Joel Hanrahan to be the closer. In other words, the Red Sox will not have a closer controversy going into spring training. Andrew Bailey was acquired last offseason to be the closer, but he'll now be pushed into a set-up role alongside the recently-signed Koji Uehara.

Red Sox acquired RHP Joel Hanrahan and INF Brock Holt from the Pirates for OF/1B Jerry Sands, RHPs Stolmy Pimentel and Mark Melancon and INF Ivan DeJesus, Jr. The deal is now official. The Pirates weren't willing to pay Hanrahan another raise in arbitration, especially after re-signing Jason Grilli, but he should be excellent insurance for the oft-injured Andrew Bailey. The 31-year-old right-hander has saved 76 games over the past two seasons. He is currently due to become a free agent next offseason.

Peter Gammons of MLB Network reports that the Joel Hanrahan deal between the Pirates and Red Sox is done. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports confirms that the deal is done and the players involved are being notified. It's expected to be a six-player deal, with four (including Jerry Sands, Stolmy Pimentel and Mark Melancon) going to Pittsburgh and two (including Hanrahan) going to Boston.

According to Jim Bowden of ESPN and SiriusXM, Joel Hanrahan will be dealt to the Red Sox and Jerry Sands is indeed part of the deal. This had been speculated by CBS Sports' Jon Heyman earlier in the day. Bowden cautions that the deal is not yet completed, but is nearing the final stages.

ESPN Boston's Gordon Edes reports that Joel Hanrahan is close to being dealt to the Red Sox. Edes cautions that there's still work that needs to be done, but it sounds like the Red Sox have emerged as the clear favorites to land the 31-year-old closer. It's unclear what the Pirates would be getting back for Hanrahan, though it's expected to be a "significant return." Hanrahan earned $4.1 million in 2012 and is entering his third season of arbitration eligibility. If acquired, he'll likely push Andrew Bailey into a setup role.