Manager Alex Cora said Sunday he believes Brasier (toe) has "time to be ready for (Opening Day)," according to Alex Speier of The Boston Globe.

EDGE Analysis

Brasier has been brought along slowly this spring, but no issues were reported after he threw from 90 feet Friday, and he is scheduled to do the same Sunday. Brasier still has several steps to go before he's ready for game action, but with over three weeks to go before Opening Day, there should be time for him to build up before regular-season action kicks off. As things stand, Brasier will toss his name into the mix for Boston's closer spot once he is cleared to pitch in games.

Brasier played catch Friday for the first time since recovering from a toe infection, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Brasier threw from 90 feet and reported no issues following the session. It's unclear if he'll remain on a throwing program or progress to pitching off a mound. He and Matt Barnes are considered the leaders for the open closer role.

Brasier (toe) is scheduled to play catch Thursday, Guerin Austin of NESN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Brasier has been sidelined for a little more than a week with an infection on his pinky toe, but he's finally ready to resume throwing. Once healthy, Brasier will look to stake his claim on the team's vacant closer role.

Brasier (toe) returned to camp but has not resumed normal activities, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Brasier flew to Boston earlier in the week to have an infected pinkie toe on his right foot examined. On Friday, he was limited to indoor activities, such as work in the pool and conditioning. "Nothing yet as far as going out there and moving around," said manager Alex Cora.

Brasier (toe) could return to the Red Sox's spring training facility Wednesday night or Thursday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

As initially suspected, Brasier's infected toe doesn't appear to be of any long-term concern. He figures to be back in camp soon with his eyes on the vacant closer gig.

Brasier went back to Boston on Tuesday to get an infection on his pinky toe looked at, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

It doesn't appear that the issue is a serious one, so Brasier should be able to remain in the closer conversation for the Red Sox. If he does end up missing time, Matt Barnes could win the job by default unless the team brings in a proven closer.

President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said Brasier is a candidate to close for the Red Sox in 2019, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Dombrowski also mentioned Matt Barnes, Steven Wright and Tyler Thornburg as potential internal options for closer, though he noted Brasier and Barnes are the two frontrunners for the gig. Brasier is coming off an impressive 2018 campaign that saw him post a 1.60 ERA, 0.77 WHIP and 29:7 K:BB across 33.2 innings of relief with the Red Sox. Assuming Boston doesn't sign a capable ninth-inning arm prior to Opening Day, Brasier will compete for the closer's role in spring training.

Brasier allowed two hits and struck out three over 1.1 innings and picked up his sixth hold in Saturday's 6-1 win over the White Sox.

EDGE Analysis

Brasier removed any doubt as to who is the most trusted, high-leverage reliever in Boston's bullpen. He entered with two outs in the sixth inning after Nicky Delmonico's double plated Yolmer Sanchez, reducing Boston's lead to 2-1. Brasier fed Avisail Garcia four straight four-seamers and struck him out on a 98 mph rising heater. One inning later, after the first two men reached on singles, he set down the final three batters, liberally using the same high heat that set down Garcia. The Red Sox relievers have had some trouble of late, but Brasier has stood out. Over the month of August, Boston's bullpen has a 3.79 ERA and a league worst 37.2 LOB% while Brasier has a 1.50 ERA and 89.3 LOB%.

Brasier (foot) allowed one earned run on a solo home run across an inning of relief against the Marlins on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Brasier was able to return to the mound after being unavailable to pitch Tuesday due to a foot injury. He should be fully operational moving forward and is expected to be ready to go during Thursday's series opener versus the White Sox. On the year, he's logged an impressive 1.29 ERA and 18 strikeouts across 21 innings of relief.

Brasier suffered a foot injury Tuesday and was not available to pitch in that night's game, Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald reports. "He was out there throwing today, and his left foot was bothering him, so he was out," manager Alex Cora said.

EDGE Analysis

Details about the nature of the injury are not available. It has potentially serious implications as Brasier has been the club's steadiest and most effective reliever of late. There was no bigger indicator of what Brasier's absence portends than the bullpen's implosion in Tuesday's 8-7 win over the Marlins. Matt Barnes, Heath Hembree and Craig Kimbrel combined to allow six runs, seven hits, two home runs and three walks over two innings.