Red Sox manager still confident in Uehara despite recent struggles

Boston Red Sox manager John Farrell confirmed Tuesday that he still has faith in closer Koji Uehara, despite the 39-year-old's recent struggles, according to MLB.com's Jamie Ross.

"He's gone through a bit of a stretch where he hasn't been as efficient or effective as we're accustomed to seeing," Farrell said on Tuesday. "But that does not take away our belief or confidence in him."

Uehara blew his second consecutive save opportunity Monday night against the Toronto Blue Jays, and has been charged with at least one earned run in three of his last four outings. Questions about fatigue followed Monday's performance, as Uehara has logged more innings than all but six relievers over the last two seasons.

"We realize that he's thrown a lot for us," Farrell said. "We're not going to apologize for playing a full month extra last year, so if there is some residual effects, it's possible. And he's thrown some high-leverage innings for us this year."