Red Sox lose Chris Martin (elbow) from injured list before Yankees series

Chris Martin #55 of the Boston Red Sox after allowing a two-run home run in the eighth inning at Fenway Park. (Photo by Matt Stone/Boston Herald)

Chris Martin’s absence was felt Thursday as the Red Sox needed 12 innings and five relievers to complete their sweep of the Marlins in Miami.

Before Friday night’s series opener against the Yankees, manager Alex Cora explained the reason: Martin was placed on the 15-day injured list due to “inflammation of the right elbow.”

It’s been a rough season for the Red Sox setup man; Friday marks exactly one month since the club placed him on the 15-day IL due to anxiety. Since being activated on June 19, he’s looked in top form as usual, having five scoreless appearances with four hits, zero walks and five strikeouts.

Although Cora told reporters at Yankee Stadium that he did not consider the injury serious, elbow problems must be treated with caution. Martin has been the key to Boston’s success this season; he has a 3.42 ERA in 26 games, with 29 strikeouts and just two walks in 26.1 innings, and the Red Sox are 18-8 when he pitches.

To fill his spot on the active roster, the Red Sox have recalled left-hander Cam Booser from Triple-A Worcester.