Red Sox manager John Farrell said Wednesday that he's not ready to guarantee Joel Hanrahan (hamstring) will regain the closer job when he returns from the disabled list.

"I don't think we're sitting here today ready to make that claim," Farrell said. "I think we've got to get through some things first, particularly how he responds with the hamstring. He's going to need a couple of (minor league) rehab appearances, just to get himself going again." Ultimately, it would be a surprise if Hanrahan doesn't get his job back, but the Red Sox do have a fellow two-time All-Star closer in Andrew Bailey as a secondary option. Hanrahan owners should pick up Bailey if he's still out on the waiver wire.

Red Sox manager John Farrell said during an appearance on WEEI on Wednesday that Joel Hanrahan (hamstring) has resumed throwing off flat ground.

Hanrahan landed on the disabled list earlier this week with a right hamstring strain, but Farrell said that the symptoms are "beginning to slow down." He'll likely need a brief minor league rehab assignment, but should be ready to return as soon as he's eligible around May 1. Andrew Bailey will fill in as closer for now.

Red Sox placed RHP Joel Hanrahan on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to April 14, with a sore right hamstring.

The Red Sox are confident that Hanrahan's recent struggles are a result of the injury, so they are hoping that two weeks off will get him healthy and back on track. Andrew Bailey will continue to fill in for Hanrahan at closer, despite blowing a save on Monday. He's a must-own in all fantasy formats.

Joel Hanrahan will be placed on the disabled list with a right hamstring injury.

Joel Hanrahan will be sidelined for at least the next few days due to a right hamstring injury.

It sounds like he'll probably avoid a stint on the disabled list, though it's possible that could change if Hanrahan doesn't feel improvement over the next couple days. Red Sox manager John Farrell said it's a "manageable situation," but he admits the closer's mechanics have been compromised. Andrew Bailey will handle the ninth inning for now.

Joel Hanrahan has some soreness in the back of one of his legs that the Red Sox believe could be affecting his mechanics.

"I'm fighting some things with my mechanics and my legs, and it's just something that I got to work on," Hanrahan said Saturday. "I guess I'm more of a warm-weather guy, I don't know but you know it's just something that we got to fight through." Hanrahan blew a save Wednesday and was removed from Saturday's game after walking the only two batters he faced. It doesn't sound like the leg issue is a DL situation, but if it leads to more struggles, the Red Sox could eventually turn to Andrew Bailey.

Red Sox manager John Farrell said Saturday that Joel Hanrahan will remain the team's closer.

Hanrahan blew a save Wednesday and was removed from Saturday's game after walking the only two batters he faced. But the Red Sox aren't ready to make a change quit yet. Andrew Bailey still warrants stashing.

Joel Hanrahan is likely unavailable for Thursday evening's series finale against the Orioles.

Hanrahan needed 31 pitches in his blown save on Wednesday. Andrew Bailey will probably fill in on Thursday night.

Joel Hanrahan blew his first save of the season Wednesday, allowing five runs in just 2/3 of an inning against the Orioles.

The Red Sox closer had converted his first three save opportunities of the season before Wednesday's implosion. The big damage was done on a Manny Machado three-run homer, but Hanrahan allowed a total of three hits and two walks among his 32 pitches. Every closer blows a save once in a while, and manager John Farrell has already said Hanrahan will keep the job despite the blow up. No need to panic until days like Wednesday become more frequent.

Joel Hanrahan tossed a scoreless ninth inning Wednesday to nail down his first save of the season in a win over the Yankees.

Hanrahan permitted a leadoff single to Eduardo Nunez, but he then retired three straight, including one via the strikeout, to preserve the three-run lead. He also had a scoreless inning on Opening Day and is off to a nice start in his first year in Beantown.

Working in a major league game for the first time in nine days, Joel Hanrahan pitched a perfect frame against the Rays on Sunday.

Hanrahan was also effective on May 9 after giving up nine runs -- six earned -- in his first three innings of the spring. The Red Sox acquired him to be their closer, and his job will be safe until he blows a couple of chances in the regular season.

Joel Hanrahan took a blown save after giving up three runs -- one earned -- in two-thirds of an inning against the Yankees on Sunday.

It came in the sixth inning, rather than the ninth. Hanrahan was let down by his defense today, but he has only himself to blame for the two walks and a wild pitch. He's allowed five runs -- two earned -- and walked three in 2 2/3 innings this spring.

Joel Hanrahan said he would be open to a contract extension with the Red Sox.

Hanrahan is a free agent after this season, but the Red Sox want to see how he pitches before considering a long-term deal. "It has been great here so far," Hanrahan said. " If they want to talk about something, I would listen."

Red Sox avoided arbitration with RHP Joel Hanrahan by agreeing to a one-year, $7.04 million contract.

He receives a nice raise in his final year of arbitration after netting a $4.1 million salary last season. Hanrahan has notched 76 saves over the last two seasons and will be set to strike it rich as a free agent if he can put up another great year in his first season in Beantown.

Red Sox assistant general manager Brian O'Halloran said Wednesday that manager John Farrell wants the newly-acquired Joel Hanrahan to be the closer.

In other words, the Red Sox will not have a closer controversy going into spring training. Andrew Bailey was acquired last offseason to be the closer, but he'll now be pushed into a set-up role alongside the recently-signed Koji Uehara.

Red Sox acquired RHP Joel Hanrahan and INF Brock Holt from the Pirates for OF/1B Jerry Sands, RHPs Stolmy Pimentel and Mark Melancon and INF Ivan DeJesus, Jr.

The deal is now official. The Pirates weren't willing to pay Hanrahan another raise in arbitration, especially after re-signing Jason Grilli, but he should be excellent insurance for the oft-injured Andrew Bailey. The 31-year-old right-hander has saved 76 games over the past two seasons. He is currently due to become a free agent next offseason.

Peter Gammons of MLB Network reports that the Joel Hanrahan deal between the Pirates and Red Sox is done.

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports confirms that the deal is done and the players involved are being notified. It's expected to be a six-player deal, with four (including Jerry Sands, Stolmy Pimentel and Mark Melancon) going to Pittsburgh and two (including Hanrahan) going to Boston.

According to Jim Bowden of ESPN and SiriusXM, Joel Hanrahan will be dealt to the Red Sox and Jerry Sands is indeed part of the deal.

This had been speculated by CBS Sports' Jon Heyman earlier in the day. Bowden cautions that the deal is not yet completed, but is nearing the final stages.

ESPN Boston's Gordon Edes reports that Joel Hanrahan is close to being dealt to the Red Sox.

Edes cautions that there's still work that needs to be done, but it sounds like the Red Sox have emerged as the clear favorites to land the 31-year-old closer. It's unclear what the Pirates would be getting back for Hanrahan, though it's expected to be a "significant return." Hanrahan earned $4.1 million in 2012 and is entering his third season of arbitration eligibility. If acquired, he'll likely push Andrew Bailey into a setup role.

Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports that the Red Sox and Dodgers are interested in trading for Joel Hanrahan.

The Pirates have reportedly put Hanrahan on the block following the re-signing of Jason Grilli, who could take over as closer. Hanrahan is set for a raise in arbitration over his $4.1 million 2012 salary, and with the Pirates unlikely to retain him in free agency, it would make sense to move him. Heyman notes that the Dodgers appear set on adding a reliever and could also make a play for Chris Perez or Bobby Parnell.