No, not the Matt Barnes who laid the wood on Derek Fisher. That’s the NBA’s jewel, Matt Barnes.
I’m talking about the 19th overall pick in the 2011 MLB draft out of UConn. The Matt Barnes who has become a stabilizing force in Boston’s bullpen over the course of this season. And It really couldn’t have come at a better time.
After making deals for both Carson Smith and Craig Kimbrel during the offseason, the Red Sox have watched both land on the DL. Smith’s injury called for Tommy John surgery and will keep him out indefinitely, while Kimbrel’s also required surgery, but is only supposed to sideline him for 3-6 weeks.