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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 18, 2022 16:42:23 GMT -5
Boston Red Sox’s Garrett Whitlock (hip) throws 20-pitch bullpen; Nathan Eovaldi’s progression remains slow Updated: Jun. 18, 2022, 5:19 p.m. | Published: Jun. 18, 2022, 5:18 p.m.
By Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
BOSTON — Red Sox starter Garrett Whitlock threw a 20-pitch bullpen session.
“Let’s see how he reacts,” manager Alex Cora said Saturday here at Fenway Park. “If everything goes, Tuesday he’ll throw another one.”
Boston placed Whitlock on the 15-day injured list with right hip inflammation retroactive to June 9. He is eligible to return June 24 vs. the Guardians in Cleveland.
If he throws another bullpen session Tuesday (and all goes well), he probably will be ready to return at some point next weekend in Cleveland.
Cora was asked if Whitlock will need a minor league rehab start before being activated.
“We’ll see how it goes the next few days and Tuesday and then we’ll decide what we do,” Cora said.
The 26-year-old has gone 2-1 with a 3.51 ERA, 3.46 FIP and 1.13 WHIP in 13 outings (nine starts) for Boston this season.
Nathan Eovaldi, meanwhile, still hasn’t done any baseball activities yet, Cora said.
Cora said Friday that Eovaldi’s progression was “slower than expected.”
The Red Sox placed Eovaldi on the injured list (retroactive to June 9) with low back inflammation. He’s also eligible to return June 24 but it’s unlikely he’ll be ready.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 18, 2022 16:47:04 GMT -5
Craig Forde @craig_Forde 2m Red Sox will hold a pregame ceremony to honor Albert Pujols this evening...no further details at this time, but should happen around 7:10pm, first pitch schedule for 7:15
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 18, 2022 17:03:57 GMT -5
Boston Red Sox’s James Paxton throws another ‘really good’ bullpen; Josh Taylor tosses 2 innings of live BP Updated: Jun. 18, 2022, 5:46 p.m. | Published: Jun. 18, 2022, 5:45 p.m.
By Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
BOSTON — Josh Taylor threw his second live batting practice here at Fenway Park on Saturday.
Taylor, who threw his first live BP Wednesday, pitched 2 innings (about 20 pitches per inning).
“Velocity was OK. Slider was OK,” manager Alex Cora said. “He didn’t like the stuff itself but the fact that he was able to go back-to-back two innings, it was good.”
Taylor was one of Boston’s top relievers last season. He posted a 2.06 ERA in his final 52 outings after a tough start to the season. But he has spent all of 2022 so far on the injured list because of low back strain. The Red Sox transferred him to the 60-day IL on May 12.
Paxton throws bullpen
James Paxton, who underwent Tommy John surgery in April 2021, threw another bullpen Saturday. Cora described it as “really good.”
This marked Paxton’s third bullpen session. He threw his first one last Saturday at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, then a second one Tuesday here at Fenway.
Last Saturday marked the first time he threw off a mound since he faced a setback when he experienced posterior elbow soreness more than a month ago. He was throwing bullpen sessions in April before the setback.
Hernández faced Taylor
Kiké Hernández (IL with right hip flexor strain) faced Taylor during the live BP. Cora said the injured center fielder took four or five at-bats against the lefty.
“We’ll see how he reacts. Probably take BP and shag and all that. So we’ll know more later on,” Cora said.
Cora said Hernández will need to go on a rehab assignment before being activated.
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Post by scrappyunderdog on Jun 18, 2022 17:12:24 GMT -5
Ian Browne @ianmbrowne 3m On the fifth level of Fenway Park, cold wind is gusting like it is October 18 instead of June 18. Crazy place we live in. It's fairly cool down here as well.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 18, 2022 17:14:32 GMT -5
Ian Browne @ianmbrowne 3m On the fifth level of Fenway Park, cold wind is gusting like it is October 18 instead of June 18. Crazy place we live in. It's fairly cool down here as well. Sunny but cool here, but will take it.
Jays lose.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 18, 2022 17:22:07 GMT -5
Jays fans up here who were loud as heck the first month are really quiet now.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 18, 2022 18:19:43 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 3m That was cool. Red Sox had David Ortiz present Albert Pujols with a No. 5 off the Fenway scoreboard.
Michael Wacha, Xander Bogaerts and Rafael Devers were there, too. Whole team on the field to applaud him.
Nicely done.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 18, 2022 18:28:47 GMT -5
God damn Crawford serves up a meatball and Arendo just blasted a 2 run jack to St. Louis
2-0 Cards...
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 19, 2022 1:55:12 GMT -5
Boston Red Sox crushed by Cardinals who score six runs in sixth inning vs. Hansel Robles, Hirokazu Sawamura Published: Jun. 18, 2022, 10:45 p.m.
By Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
BOSTON — Both Nolans in the St. Louis lineup took Red Sox starter Kutter Crawford deep as the Cardinals crushed the Red Sox 11-2 on Saturday here at Fenway Park.
Crawford lasted only 4 innings. He allowed four runs, six hits and no walks while striking out three.
Nolan Arenado belted a 382-foot two-run home run to left field in the first inning to give the Cardinals a 2-0 lead.
Nolan Gorman crushed a 440-foot solo homer to center field in the fourth, giving St. Louis a 4-1 advantage.
The Cards broke the game open in the top of the sixth inning with six runs, making it 10-2.
Hansel Robles struck out Gorman to begin the inning. But he allowed the next four batters to reach (homer, walk, single, walk).
Robles’ 10 four-seam fastballs averaged 94 mph, per Baseball Savant. That’s down from his 96 mph four-seam fastball average velocity this season. The trainer checked on him after the third batter but he remained in the game.
Hirokazu Sawamura replaced Robles and allowed two runs (one earned), three hits and one walk while striking out one while recording the final two outs of the inning.
The inning also included a fielding error by Bobby Dalbec.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 19, 2022 1:56:21 GMT -5
Boston Red Sox roster moves: Trade addition James Norwood to be activated Sunday, Kutter Crawford optioned to Worcester Published: Jun. 18, 2022, 11:40 p.m.
By Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
BOSTON — The Red Sox have optioned Kutter Crawford to Triple-A Worcester. They will activate right-handed reliever James Norwood before their game against the Cardinals on Sunday.
Crawford started here Saturday, taking the loss vs. St. Louis. The righty lasted only 4 innings. He allowed four runs, six hits and no walks while striking out three.
“We need him to stay the course, get his starts at Triple A and be ready if something happens,” manager Alex Cora said.
Boston acquired Norwood from the Phillies for cash Saturday.
He struggled in 20 relief outings for Philadelphia this season, posting an 8.31 ERA (17 ⅓ innings, 16 earned runs) and 1.90 WHIP. But he has a 3.65 FIP and 11.4 strikeouts per nine innings (4.7 BB/9). His fastball has averaged 96.6 mph .
He has a 5.48 ERA and 3.73 FIP in 48 major league relief appearances with the Cubs, Padres and Phillies.
“Good fastball, good split, good slider,” Cora said earlier in the day Saturday. “The numbers don’t represent that but one of those intriguing arms with good velo.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 19, 2022 2:10:35 GMT -5
Crawford 'showed some flashes of good stuff' in loss Boston's bullpen struggles in 6-run 6th; Davis rebounds with 3 IP 2:57 AM ADT Ian Browne
Ian Browne @ianmbrowne
BOSTON -- Six days after Kutter Crawford stifled the Mariners on just one hit over five scoreless innings, the righty learned what a fine line there is between success and struggle at the highest level.
On Saturday night at Fenway Park, facing a tough Cardinals lineup, Crawford was on the hook for six hits (including two towering homers) over four innings in an 11-2 loss for the Red Sox.
In what turned out to be a two-start stint in the big leagues while Garrett Whitlock and Nathan Eovaldi are battling back from injuries, Crawford was told after the tough outing he is being optioned to Triple-A Worcester.
“There’s work to be done, and we’re going to get after it,” said Crawford, Boston’s No. 24 prospect as rated by MLB Pipeline.
What did Crawford learn from the extremes of the past two starts?
“That I need to command all five of my pitches,” Crawford said. “I need to get my splitter in the zone more often to keep hitters honest with the ball moving the other direction versus everything going away. That’s cutters, sliders and just moving the fastball inside and outside and not just staying on one side of the plate.”
A lineup as strong as the one the Cardinals have will jump on a young pitcher who isn’t commanding, and they did.
Crawford saw that in real time. After retiring the first two batters in the first inning, Crawford gave up a single to Paul Goldschmidt. Up next was Nolan Arenado, who hammered a 3-2 cutter that was middle-middle over the Green Monster.
In the fourth, Nolan Gorman unloaded on a changeup that caught too much plate and deposited it a Statcast-projected 440 feet over the wall in center.
“He showed some flashes of good stuff. The four-seamer played today,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “The cutter was OK. The breaking ball wasn’t there. So, that’s a good lineup. It seems like they were hunting certain pitches. Seemed like the four-seamer gave them trouble. Everything in between, they were on it.”
Seattle felt like a long time ago by the time Crawford came out of Saturday’s game.
“I needed to move my fastball around a little bit more in order to keep hitters honest,” Crawford said. “I think the big thing was not being able to command the secondary pitches as well as I did in Seattle.”
Cora: 'Robles needs to be ‘more aggressive’ Despite Crawford’s tough night, the Red Sox were right in the game, down just 4-2 when he departed.
But the bullpen got roughed up for six runs in a game-turning top of the sixth.
Hansel Robles took the brunt of the damage, giving up four runs on two hits and two walks while recording just one out.
Cora went out to check on Robles with a team trainer at one point during the inning.
“He’s fine. He kept moving his arm," Cora said. "I don’t know if you guys noticed it, but anyway, obviously he was coming back from [back spasms] 10 days ago. We just wanted to make sure everything was fine, and he said [it was].”
A big factor down the stretch for the Red Sox last season, Robles hasn’t been nearly as consistent this year.
“Hansel, on and off,” said Cora. “We’ve got to get him to be more aggressive in the zone. Throughout the season, the walks have been a factor. Last year, he didn’t do that toward the end, mid-August to September. Obviously the velocity isn’t 97, 98 like last year, but it’s still good enough to attack hitters.”
Davis preserves 'pen The lone bright spot of Saturday’s defeat?
Lefty Austin Davis helped preserve the bullpen for Sunday’s rubber match against the Cardinals when he threw a career-high 56 pitches and matched a career-high of three innings. Davis pitched the seventh through the ninth, preventing Cora from having to bring in a position player.
The performance came on the heels of Davis getting roughed up Friday when he came on with a 6-1 lead and forcing Cora to bring in closer Tanner Houck.
“It’s one of those that, it’s a fine line, trying to get to 27 outs [from pitchers] or getting the last three with a position player,” said Cora. “But you’ve got to give him credit. He understands the game, and he didn’t feel right about what happened yesterday, not finishing the game, and he just wanted to finish. I’m glad that he got it done and he saved a few arms in the bullpen.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 19, 2022 2:12:45 GMT -5
Injuries & Moves: Sale to face Wander on Monday 1:53 AM ADT
Keep track of the Red Sox’s recent transactions and injury updates throughout the season. LATEST NEWS
June 18: LHP Chris Sale gets ultimate test in first rehab start When Sale starts his Minor League rehab assignment by pitching two innings in the Florida Complex League on Monday, he will face one of the most dynamic players in the game in Wander Franco, Tampa Bay's stud shortstop. Franco is coming back from a right quad strain, while Sale hasn't pitched this season due to a fractured right ribcage he suffered in Spring Training. The plan for Sale is to pitch two innings in a game at 7 p.m. ET Monday in Port Charlotte, Fla.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that this will start a Spring Training type of progression for Sale in which he'll pitch every five days and continue to build his pitch count until he is activated. If all goes well, Sale could return a week or so before the All-Star break. -- Ian Browne
June 18: RHP Garrett Whitlock throws bullpen session Red Sox starting pitcher Whitlock threw a bullpen session Saturday, marking the first time he's thrown off the mound since being placed on the 15-day injured list June 10 (retroactive to June 9) with right hip inflammation. Cora said that the plan is for Whitlock to throw another 'pen Tuesday, which will give the club a better idea of how close he is to a return. Whitlock is eligible to come off the injured list for the start of a three-game weekend series in Cleveland on June 24. -- Ian Browne
June 18: RHP James Norwood acquired from Phillies in exchange for cash considerations In Norwood, the Red Sox are taking a low-risk gamble on a pitcher with high velocity and a good swing-and-miss rate. Thus far, Norwood's overall results (8.31 ERA in 20 relief appearances this season) haven't matched up with his metrics. The Red Sox will add Norwood to the roster in time for Sunday's series finale against the Cardinals. -- Ian Browne
INF/OF Christian Arroyo Expected return: TBD Arroyo went on the injured list June 15 after testing positive for COVID-19.
"Christian is feeling OK," Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. "Not there yet as far as the [levels]. He is feeling better but not great.” -- Ian Browne (Last updated: June 18)
OF Kiké Hernández (right hip flexor strain) Expected return: Week of June 20 Hernández took four or five at-bats of live batting practice against lefty reliever Josh Taylor on June 18. Hernández is expected to start a short Minors rehab assignment soon and could return at some point during their series against the Tigers at Fenway, which goes from June 20-22. If not, he should be back by the start of the next road trip June 24. -- Ian Browne (Last updated: June 18)
LHP James Paxton (Tommy John surgery) Expected return: July or August Paxton, whose return was delayed due to posterior left elbow soreness, is starting to turn a corner. The lefty threw his third bullpen session in the span of a week June 18 at Fenway Park. Red Sox manager Alex Cora described Paxton's most recent session as "really good". The next key step for Paxton will be to face hitters, but the Red Sox haven't revealed a timetable for that. -- Ian Browne (Last updated: June 18)
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 19, 2022 2:16:12 GMT -5
Jon Couture @joncouture · 4h Live Neil Diamond in a game the #RedSox are losing 10-2 is, honestly, just too on the nose.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 19, 2022 2:19:58 GMT -5
Red Sox get pounded in powerful display of Cardinals’ late eruption By Peter Abraham Globe Staff,Updated June 19, 2022, 2 hours ago
The Red Sox nimbly dodged trouble with starting pitchers Nate Eovaldi and Garrett Whitlock on the injured list, getting well-pitched games by Triple A call-ups Kutter Crawford and Josh Winckowski to keep their momentum flowing in the right direction.
But beating the weak-hitting lineups fielded by the Oakland Athletics and Seattle Mariners is not the same as facing the St. Louis Cardinals.
Crawford was hit hard and it was even worse for the bullpen on Saturday night as the Cardinals beat the Red Sox, 11-2.
St. Louis had 14 hits off five Red Sox pitchers, three of them home runs. The Sox managed only five hits, all singles.
Most of the fans remaining at Fenway Park for the final two innings were rooting for the visitors. Their only disappointment came in the eighth inning when Albert Pujols pinch hit and struck out after fouling off six two-strike pitches.
No matter. Pujols received the same supportive standing ovation walking back to the dugout as he did walking to the plate.
The Sox can still take the three-game series with a victory on Sunday. They’ll have one of their best starters, Nick Pivetta, facing rookie righthander Andre Pallante.
Pivetta is 6-1 with a 1.83 earned run average in his last eight starts.
The Sox have won 12 of their last 16 games but now trail the Yankees by a season-high 14½ games in the division. New York has won nine in a row.
Crawford made a strong start at Seattle on Sunday, working five innings in a 2-0 victory. But the Cardinals are not the Mariners.
Crawford got two quick outs in the first inning before Paul Goldschmidt singled to left field. Nolan Arenado worked the count full and crushed a cutter from Kutter into the Monster Seats for his second homer in as many nights.
The pitch was flat and Arenado sent it sizzling over the wall.
“He didn’t miss it,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said.
The Cardinals took a 3-0 lead in the second inning on a double into the right field corner by Dylan Carson that scored Tyler O’Neill from first base.
Xander Bogaerts led off the bottom of the inning with a single off Dakota Hudson. Franchy Cordero walked with one out before Bobby Dalbec singled sharply to center to drive in a run.
With Cordero at third, Jackie Bradley Jr. grounded into a double play to end the inning.
Nolan Gorman led off the fourth inning with a 440-foot home run to center. Crawford (1-2) left the changeup floating at the top of the strike zone and Gorman let his power do the rest.
Crawford was optioned to Triple A Worcester after the game.
With a runner on first and two outs in the fourth, Hudson walked Dalbec, Cordero, and Bradley on 16 pitches to force in a run. He threw nine balls in a row at one point.
With a chance to make it hurt even more, Jarren Duran grounded to third. Arenado, a nine-time Gold Glove winner, had to pause to avoid hitting Bradley but still had the arm strength to get the speedy Duran by a half-step.
“He just couldn’t get the big hit,” Cora said.
The Cardinals wrapped the game up with six runs in the sixth inning as they sent 12 batters to the plate against Hansel Robles and Hirokazu Sawamura.
“A tough inning right there,” Cora said.
O’Neill started it with a home run to center. Tommy Edman and Goldschmidt each had two-run singles. By the end of the inning, many of the Sox fans in the crowd of 36,141 were fleeing for the exits on an unseasonably chilly night.
Austin Davis, who faced five batters on Friday, worked the final three innings for the Sox. He threw 56 pitches, a career high, and allowed a run
“He wanted to finish,” Cora said. “I always pull for our guys but it got to the point I was really pulling for him to get the last two outs. We were in a bad spot … he saved a few arms in the bullpen.”
Hudson (5-3) wasn’t particularly sharp but was the winner. He allowed two runs on four hits and five walks over five innings.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 19, 2022 2:22:18 GMT -5
For members of the Red Sox, this will be a special Father’s Day By Alex Speier Globe Staff,Updated June 18, 2022, 8:32 p.m.
For Red Sox players and staff members, Father’s Day in 2022 is already assured of being a special one — just as this season will be cherished for reasons that go beyond anything that occurs on the field.
The perks of being a big leaguer are considerable. But for the 2020 and 2021 seasons, one of the most meaningful joys of life in the game proved impossible.
With field and clubhouse access restricted in deference to COVID-19 protocols, players and coaches could not bring their kids to the field or into the clubhouse. In 2020, while teams played in empty ballparks, the closest players came to their kids at the field was in the form of cardboard cutouts. In 2021, family members returned to the ballpark but only in the stands, permitting waves but not the chance to enjoy the uniqueness of an inside view of the game.
This year, for the first time since 2019, those doors have been reopened, allowing uniform personnel to again share the inner workings of their profession. The restored ability to do so has been met with delight and appreciation by members of the Red Sox.
“Obviously being able to get through this period of COVID and now coming back, it’s been great,” said Sox starter Rich Hill, who signed in Boston in part to be able to share such experiences with his 10-year-old son, Brice. “Guys have been able to bring their kids into the office and have them go out [on the field] for batting practice. It’s been a very inviting work environment.
“It makes it that much better for us as players to feel comfortable in this area that we work in, where we can bring our families and especially, our sons that can come [into the clubhouse] and see this environment and be a part of it. I know it’s special to [Brice]. As short-lived as this is and as short-lived as a career is, to be able to have him be part of it and see the inner workings in the clubhouse is really unique and fortunate . . . And to be able to have these moments, share them, it’s memories for a lifetime.”
The baseball schedule tends to separate team members from their families for months at a time. During the season, many families only reunite once the school year ends in the summer — and sometimes only briefly, given the swirl of summer camps and travel ball teams. Even when baseball players’ families are together for the summer, their time is whittled by teams’ frequent travel to play on the road.
The chance for fathers to spend time on the field with their family members serves as something of an offset to the missed time — a very special sort of “take your kid to work” setting. On Saturday afternoon, Sox third base coach Carlos Febles played catch with his 16-year-old son, Carlos Febles Jr., on the infield prior to running Red Sox infielders through their pregame work, for the first time in three years.
“It means a lot. It’s been two tough years — not just for me, but for [his family] as well, not being able to be together during the season, during the summer,” said Febles. “Just having the opportunity to have him back, hanging out with him on the field, playing catch, just being friends, this is huge. This is an opportunity not many kids get.”
Ryan Brasier brought his 11-year-old son, Kolten, into the home clubhouse at the start of the season. Then, when the Sox went to Texas to play the Rangers, Brasier had the chance to hit balls to his son on the field and let him shag during batting practice.
“He was pretty jacked up about,” said Brasier. “He loves coming in here, B.S.-ing with the guys, giving guys knuckles after a win. I enjoy it ever more so because he loves coming in here.”
Catcher Kevin Plawecki was able to bring his son, Kasen, into the dugout prior to Friday’s game. The 3 ½-year-old was treated like a returning family member by other members of the Red Sox, affording both father and son a joy that will transcend Plawecki’s career.
“It’s everything,” said Plawecki. “To share it with your kids and with your family, it’s extremely special. The last couple of years, it’s kind of been taken away from us — the access that the families have had, that kids have had with being able to come into the locker room, come early, play catch, be with their dads. It’s cool stuff. It’s been nice to get back to some normalcy in that.
“Thankfully, [Kasen is] older now and knows what dad is doing. It doesn’t make it any easier when we have to go on the road. But at least you know we’re able to share those moments together like we had the other day.”
After Sunday’s game, Red Sox players and staff members will assemble on the field at Fenway to enjoy a picnic gathering with their families in celebration of Father’s Day. Such get-togethers have always been understood to be special, but this year, the .
“Hopefully it’s gonna be something that they remember for years to come. I know I will,” said Jackie Bradley Jr., who is spending time this weekend with his wife, Erin, three children, as well as his father and father-in-law. “I know I will. At this stage in my life, with my wife and kids, I didn’t have all of that when I was first coming up. It just kind of just shows you how much life has has changed and you’ve grown. Not only how I’ve matured, but my family as well. So
“It’s going to be pretty special. Each Father’s Day is. I don’t take that for granted.”
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