Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Matt Barnes. Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Red Sox reliever Matt Barnes tests positive for COVID-19

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 3/27/21

Boston Red Sox reliever Matt Barnes tested positive for COVID-19 and will self-isolate away from the team for 10 days, manager Alex Cora said Saturday, via MassLive's Chris Cotillo.

Reliever Matt Andriese and several other players are undergoing contact tracing.

Lots of players in contact tracing protocols. "It's a fire drill," Cora says. Andriese among players in protocols.

Barnes will need to be away for around 10 days. https://t.co/s1DyV9HWGB
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) March 27, 2021

As a result of the positive test, Barnes, who was projected to be Boston's closer, will not be on the Opening Day roster, Cotillo adds. The Red Sox are scheduled to open the season against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park on Thursday.

Barnes has spent his entire seven-year career with the Red Sox. During the pandemic-shortened campaign last year he went 1-3 with nine saves, a 4.30 ERA, 1.391 WHIP and 31 strikeouts in 23 innings.

It's unclear who will serve as Boston's closer with the 30-year-old sidelined.

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