"I think it’s best for everyone in that bullpen to know who the closer is and guys will slot in roles prior to use of the closer," Farrell said when asked if a two-man closer committee would work in the interim. "I think just in terms of everyone knowing where they stand and the role that they occupy, that’s important for their own preparation as the game is nearing that seventh- through ninth-inning period."

The right-hander surrendered another hit -- also his second outing in a row giving up two hits -- and struck out two batters. His ERA has swelled from 2.51 to 3.31 over his past two games, but he remains assured of his ability.

"I still have my confidence but I feel that I was given the chance to succeed so I feel bad about it," Tazawa told ESPN.com through an interpreter after the game. "But I still have my confidence. ... I didn't feel additional pressure."

Will he do a good job in the role? Probably. His 1.70 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 9.7 strikeouts per nine innings in 53 appearances over the last two seasons, when he was fully committed to relief, are exactly the kind of numbers you want from a closer. But I don't suspect he'll last long in the role because I don't suspect Bailey's or Hanrahan's injury will require much more than a minimal DL stay.

The Red Sox had a closer dilemma -- two proven guys still capable of getting the job done -- before Tazawa entered the picture. I'm thinking nothing Tazawa does in the next two weeks will convince them to muddy the waters further.

If I need saves and none are available on the waiver wire, I'm obviously making a play for Tazawa, but I'm expecting him to be just a short-term fix.

Then again, both relievers could be out awhile, and Tazawa has the skills to keep the closer's role if he is given a chance. He has already proven to be a reliable source of strikeouts and low WHIP, and he should do a reasonably good job of keeping the ball in the park.

If you need saves in the short run, Tazawa is highly available and probably better than your other low-cost options. You just may find yourself needing to replace him soon, should Hanrahan or Bailey make a quick return.

"I think what we'd love to do is close Tazawa. We'd keep Koji in that eighth inning role that he's been in," Farrell said. "Fortunately we do have some depth to turn to internally and we know that we've got to get through these next couple of days to kinda regroup. ... So we're kind of breathing a little thin ice down there right now and just trying to manage the best we can to get through these next couple of days to regroup."