Kimbrel injures knee, could miss All-Star Game

Add Craig Kimbrel to the Boston Red Sox injury ward.

The closer may be forced to miss the All-Star Game after injuring his left knee before Boston's 6-5 win over Tampa Bay on Friday, manager John Farrell told reporters after the game.

Farrell revealed that Kimbrel first experienced discomfort in his knee after shagging flies in the afternoon. He didn't pitch in Friday's game and was sent for an MRI, according to Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe.

The 28-year-old was named an All-Star for the fifth time in his career despite an up-and-down first half in his first season with the Red Sox. Kimbrel's 3.55 ERA stands as the highest of his career, though much of that can be attributed to his save situation splits. He owns a 1.45 ERA, 0.643 WHIP, and just three walks while working in a save situation this year, and those numbers balloon to 6.28, 1.674, and 12 when a save isn't on the line.

A number of Red Sox players suffered injuries Friday in addition to Kimbrel. Utility man Brock Holt sprained his ankle sliding into second base and was in a walking boot after the game; first baseman Hanley Ramirez suffered a shin contusion after fouling a ball off himself; and reliever Junichi Tazawa was unavailable Friday due to shoulder discomfort.