Justin Slaten earned the save after pitching 2 1/3 of scoreless relief in the Red Sox’ win over the Mariners on Sunday.
Slaten was taken by the Mets in the Rule 5 Draft this offseason and then immediately traded to the Red Sox. The 26-year-old was lights out during the spring, allowing two hits and no earned runs in 6 1/3 innings while striking out six batters. In his MLB debut on Sunday, he struck out one, walked none, and gave up no hits. With Kenley Jansen nursing a bad back and Chris Martin a likely trade candidate this season, Slaten is emerging as a name to watch in the Red Sox bullpen. He pairs a 96 mph fastball with a solid sweeper he throws 33 percent of the time and a 90 mph cutter that had a 33 percent whiff rate on Sunday.