Report: Red Sox plan to use Eovaldi as primary closer upon return

The Boston Red Sox appear to be changing their plans for Nathan Eovaldi.

Boston will use the 29-year-old right-hander as its primary closer when he returns from the injured list, sources told NESN's Tom Caron. He's currently on the 60-day IL but is expected to return sometime after the All-Star break.

Eovaldi will be used as a traditional closer, not as part of a bullpen-by-committee, Caron adds.

The Red Sox signed the longtime starter to a four-year, $68-million contract in December after he impressed following his acquisition from the Tampa Bay Rays in July 2018.

Eovaldi notably excelled in the 2018 playoffs, recording a 1.61 ERA in 22 1/3 innings, including a memorable, six-inning relief performance in Game 3 of the World Series.

The expectation after Eovaldi's signing was that he'd be a starter for the Red Sox this season, but the team might be concerned about overuse after he underwent surgery April 23 to remove loose bodies from his elbow.

Boston's bullpen has struggled this season, which could also explain Eovaldi's potential move to the bullpen. The unit's combined 4.37 ERA ranks eighth in the American League.