Peter Abraham
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FORT MYERS, Fla. — Righthanded reliever Carson Smith left the Red Sox clubhouse at JetBlue Park on Tuesday morning to get further tests on his forearm.
Smith left Monday’s game against the Cardinals with what was described as cramping.
“Not much of an update. I saw the doctor when I got back [Monday]. It checked out pretty positive,” Smith said. “I’ll be going for a few more tests and we’ll see where it’s at.”
Presumably Smith will get an MRI at some point on Tuesday but he did not know what tests were scheduled. Before Smith spoke to three reporters, a Red Sox official pulled him aside and spoke to him in quiet tones.
“It feels all right. It doesn’t feel too bad,” Smith said. “I’m relieved a little bit and we’ll see where it goes. It’s pretty close to normal. I can’t say it’s normal, but it’s feeling better.”
Smith, 26, was obtained from the Seattle Mariners in December. The Red Sox view him as a key set-up man in their bullpen. Smith appeared in 70 games for Seattle last season, allowing only 49 hits over 70 innings and striking out 92.
If Smith starts the season on the disabled list, righthander Matt Barnes moves into consideration for a spot on the roster. Barnes has thrown 8 1/3 scoreless innings in spring training, allowing five hits and striking out nine with one walk.
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