Boston manager Alex Cora suggested Barnes may not be used in a save situation the next time he pitches, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cora avoided using Barnes on Wednesday after Boston's closer failed to get out of the ninth inning the previous two days. Going back to the beginning of August, Barnes has an ugly 16.88 ERA with three losses and two blown saves. "We'll see how the games go, right? We'll use him accordingly," Cora said. "I don't want to say, 'He's not the closer,' or, 'He is the closer,' 'He's a setup guy.' We've got to get him right. That's the most important thing." That statement is ambiguous and open to interpretation, but it suggests Barnes may be used in a low-leverage situation, then Cora will go from there. Garrett Whitlock and Hansel Robles replaced Barnes in relief Monday and Tuesday and could be in line for more opportunities.

Barnes allowed one earned run on one hit and two walks while failing to record an out Tuesday against Minnesota.

EDGE Analysis

Barnes was called upon to hold a three-run lead in the ninth inning. However, he surrendered a solo home run to the first batter he faced and proceeded to walk the next two hitters prior to being pulled. Barnes has been excellent for the vast majority of the season, though he's now allowed 10 earned runs across his last 4.1 innings of work -- spanning eight appearances. Hansel Robles relieved Barnes to earn the save Tuesday, and he could be a candidate for the closer role should Barnes be displaced.

Barnes gave up two runs on four hits while recording only one out to blow his sixth save of the season in Monday's 8-4 extra-innings win over the Rangers.

EDGE Analysis

Entering the game in the ninth inning and entrusted with a 3-1 lead, Barnes didn't allow much hard contact but still found himself facing Andy Ibanez with the bases loaded, only for the young Ranger to smoke a ground-rule double into the right-field bullpen to tie things up. Barnes has seen only two saves chances since Aug. 4 and blown them both, and his 15.20 ERA through eight appearances and 5.1 innings so far this month is a far cry from the 2.30 ERA he carried into August. His job as closer doesn't yet seem to be in jeopardy, but Boston may not be able to afford him too much patience as they fight to hang onto a playoff spot.

Barnes (6-4) allowed two runs on one hit and one walk while striking out one to take the loss Sunday against the Blue Jays.

EDGE Analysis

For the second time in the series against the Blue Jays, Barnes was on the mound for a gut-punch loss. He served up a walkoff home run to Marcus Semien in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader, then ex-UConn teammate George Springer took him deep for a three-run shot in the eighth inning Sunday to wipe out all the good work Boston's offense did in a 9-8 loss. The Red Sox are coming apart at the seams right now, who lost of eight of 10 on a road trip, including six of seven to division rivals Toronto and Tampa Bay.

Barnes (6-3) made two appearances in Saturday's doubleheader against the Blue Jays. He was tagged with the loss in the first game and with the win in the second one.

EDGE Analysis

Barnes gave up a walkoff homer to Marcus Semien in the first game of the doubleheader, but he bounced back in the nightcap and pitched a scoreless inning to pick up his sixth win of the campaign. The homer to Semien is the only run Barnes has allowed in his last 10 appearances, and his 2.40 ERA across 46 appearances this season represents a career-best mark for him.

The Red Sox reinstated Barnes (illness) from the COVID-19 injured list Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Barnes was placed on the IL on Tuesday while he was recovering from an illness, but the Red Sox's decision to deactivate him looks to have been out of an abundance of precaution. He's tested negative for the coronavirus in the 24 hours since landing on the IL and is apparently feeling healthy again, so Barnes should be ready to pitch Wednesday against the Tigers if a save situation is presented. Infielder Jonathan Arauz was optioned to Triple-A Worcester to clear a spot on the active roster for Barnes.

Barnes tested negative for COVID-19 and is expected to be activated from the injured list Wednesday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

EDGE Analysis

Barnes was placed on the specialized injured list Tuesday, but he'll quickly rejoin the Red Sox after producing a pair of negative test results. The 31-year-old will immediately slot back into the closer's role after missing Tuesday's 4-2 loss to Detroit.

Barnes was placed on the COVID-19 injured list Tuesday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports. He has not tested positive for the virus yet.

EDGE Analysis

The righty's initial test came back negative, but he's expecting another result Tuesday night. How long Barnes is sidelined depends on whether he tests positive or not, with a positive test keeping him out for at least 10 days. An update on his status figures to come out Tuesday night, or whenever his test results are determined.

Barnes earned his 23rd save of the season Wednesday, picking up one strikeout in his inning of work.

EDGE Analysis

Barnes hit Lourdes Gurriel Jr. to open the seventh inning but rebounded to fan Randal Grichuk before inducing a double-play ball from Santiago Espinal to close out the nightcap of the doubleheader. Barnes has now strung together seven consecutive outings without allowing an earned run, dropping his ERA to 2.30 on the year. He owns a sparkling 0.81 WHIP in 43 innings overall this season, and opponents are hitting just .164 against the 31-year-old.

Barnes pitched a perfect ninth inning to earn the save in Monday's 5-4 win over Toronto.

EDGE Analysis

Barnes needed just nine pitches to protect a one-run lead that materialized on Alex Verdugo's two-run home run in the eighth. The 31-year-old right-hander is now 22-for-26 in save chances with a 2.36 ERA and 0.83 WHIP in 42 innings. He's pitched on each of the last two days, so there's no guarantee he'll be utilized if a save chance comes up Tuesday.