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Uehara 'praying' injury not serious after exit

Michael Ivins/Boston Red Sox / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Just over a week after All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel was ruled out for the next three to six weeks, the Boston Red Sox could be in danger of losing his replacement, Koji Uehara, who departed Tuesday's game in the ninth inning after throwing just seven pitches.

Uehara appeared to grab at his right shoulder after a first-pitch ball to Buster Posey, and was quickly removed from the game after a visit from the team trainer. Manager John Farrell said after Boston's 4-0 win over San Francisco that Uehara suffered a strained pectoral, and will undergo further evaluation Wednesday.

"I can't tell you at this time how much time Koji will miss," Farrell said, according to ESPN's Scott Lauber.

Losing Uehara for an extended period of time would represent yet another huge blow to Boston's bullpen, which has also been without Junichi Tazawa since July 3 due to an impingement in his right shoulder.

Kimbrel, who suffered a torn ligament in his left knee, underwent surgery last week and might not return until September.

"It's just some soreness," Uehara told reporters. "I'm just praying it's not that serious."

The 41-year-old right-hander entered Tuesday's game with a career-high 4.54 ERA, but had converted four straight save opportunities since July 8.

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