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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 20, 2022 11:32:30 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 20m On the #RedSox move:
* Downs has not played well this season and has tumbled down the prospect rankings. But he's on the 40 and they need an infielder.
* This is likely only until Hernández or Arroyo comes off the IL.
* Teams can only carry 13 pitchers as of today.
Downs has hit .187/.281/.355 in 627 plate appearances at Worcester the last two years.
But their only other 40-man options were two catchers (Wong and Hernandez).
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 20, 2022 13:40:35 GMT -5
Game 68: Tigers at Red Sox lineups and notesBy Andrew Mahoney Globe Staff,Updated June 20, 2022, 2 hours ago The Red Sox took another series over the weekend after they defeated Cardinals 6-4 on Sunday. With the win, the Sox have won five consecutive series and are 9-1-2 in their last 12. They have gone 13-4 in June while outscoring their opponents 82-51. The Sox will conclude their nine-game homestand with a three-game series with the Tigers beginning Monday. Josh Winckowski will get another turn on the mound for the Sox in the opener. Here is a preview. Lineups TIGERS (26-40): 1. Victor Reyes (S) RF 2. Robbie Grossman (S) LF 3. Miguel Cabrera (R) DH 4. Javier Baez (R) SS 5. Riley Greene (L) CF 6. Jeimer Candelario (S) 3B 7. Spencer Torkelson (R) 1B 8. Jonathan Schoop (R) 2B 9. Tucker Barnhart (S) C Pitching: RHP Alex Faedo (1-3, 4.28 ERA) RED SOX (36-31):
1. Jarren Duran (L) CF 2. Rafael Devers (L) 3B 3. J.D. Martinez (R) DH 4. Xander Bogaerts (R) SS 5. Alex Verdugo (L) LF 6. Trevor Story (R) 2B 7. Franchy Cordero (L) 1B 8. Christian Vazquez (R) C 9. Jackie Bradley Jr. (L) RF Pitching: RHP Josh Winckowski (1-1, 4.50 ERA) Time: 7:10 p.m. TV, radio: NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7 Tigers vs. Winckowski: Has not faced any Detroit batters Red Sox vs. Faedo: Has not faced any Boston batters Stat of the day: The Red Sox are 15-5 when their starting pitcher throws 6.0+ innings, winning each of the last nine such games and 14 of the last 15. Notes: After starting the season 10-19, the Red Sox have gone 27-12 climb into the middle of the American League wild-card race. … The Tigers snapped a six-game losing streak by winning their last two games against the Rangers, 14-7 and 7-4. … In his last start, Winckowski threw five scoreless innings while allowing just four hits and one walk in a 10-1 win over Oakland. Song of the Day- The Boomtown Rats - I Don't Like Mondays (Live Aid 1985)www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcZW0GFLSdw
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 20, 2022 16:45:21 GMT -5
Chris Cotillo @chriscotillo · 2h Red Sox wearing City Connects tonight.
Christian Arroyo is in the clubhouse so he should be back soon.
Red Sox updates:
* Arroyo, Kiké will need rehab assignments but could return by weekend. Whitlock close too. Eovaldi not so much. * Houck still unvaccinated and will miss Toronto trip * Cora joked that City Connect unis are to help team store sell them. Likely 3 straight days
Cora anticipates Jeter Downs may make his first start Wednesday. He's not in the lineup tonight.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 20, 2022 16:46:48 GMT -5
Ian Browne @ianmbrowne · 1h Tanner Houck is still not vaccinated. Alex Cora said the righty will not be making the trip to Toronto a week from today.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 20, 2022 16:49:07 GMT -5
Alex Speier @alexspeier · 1h Cora said the Sox are wearing their yellow jerseys today and likely the next three games - unless, Cora said, the team loses today.
Red Sox will send Hernández and Arroyo on rehab assignments before they return to the big league roster, said Cora.
Jeter Downs says his phone was on do-not-disturb mode this AM and he missed a couple calls from WooSox manager Chad Tracy. When Tracy connected with him, he asked, “What’s the matter, you don’t want to go to the big leagues?” Downs said he couldn’t believe it and started crying.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 21, 2022 3:08:17 GMT -5
Chris Sale goes 1 inning (not 2), strikes out Wander Franco in first Red Sox rehab start; Kiké Hernández, Christian Arroyo nearing game action Published: Jun. 20, 2022, 9:24 p.m.
By Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com
BOSTON -- Red Sox left-hander Chris Sale’s first game action of 2022 came in a shorter stint than expected Monday night, but the Red Sox say miscommunication -- and not a setback -- was the reason.
Sale threw one inning for the Florida Complex League (rookie-level) Red Sox against the Rays’ affiliate in Port Charlotte, Fla. Over the weekend, manager Alex Cora said the plan was for Sale to pitch two innings, but a Red Sox source said there was a miscommunication about Sale’s workload. Sale’s 22-pitch outing -- which included a strikeout of Rays star Wander Franco, who was also rehabbing, went as planned, according to the source.
“He was always scheduled for one,” the source said.
In the inning, Sale issued a leadoff walk, then struck out Franco (who is also rehabbing) before inducing a pop out, giving up a run-scoring single and getting out of the inning with a groundout. Sale allowed a run and a hit while striking one batter out and issuing a walk.
Assuming there are no setbacks -- and that the miscommunication truly was just that -- Sale will likely pitch again in five days (Saturday) as he ramps up. It’s unclear where he’ll pitch next. If all goes well, he’d be in line to join the Red Sox shortly before the All-Star break.
Hernández, Arroyo nearing rehab stints
Outfielder Kiké Hernández (right hip flexor strain) went through a full workout at Fenway Park before Monday’s game and could begin a short rehab assignment Tuesday or Wednesday, Cora said. Hernández is eligible to come off the injured list at any time and could rejoin the team by the end of the week.
Infielder/outfielder Christian Arroyo (COVID-19) was back with the team at Fenway and did some baseball activities before the game. He’ll also need a short rehab assignment after missing almost a week of action. It shouldn’t be long before he returns, either.
The best-case scenario would have both Hernández and Arroyo rejoining the Red Sox before they begin their road trip in Cleveland on Friday night. But it’s still unclear if they’ll be ready then.
“Hopefully, that’s the case, but we have to wait and see,” Cora said.
Whitlock could be back soon
Righty Garrett Whitlock (right hip inflammation) will throw a bullpen session Tuesday at Fenway Park. It’s expected to be longer than the 20-pitch session he threw Saturday.
If all goes well, Whitlock could come off the injured list and start over the weekend in Cleveland, though Cora wouldn’t commit to that. He could be a candidate to pitch Friday if Boston chooses to give Nick Pivetta an extra day of rest of Saturday if Pivetta goes on regular rest after an off day Thursday. If Whitlock is not ready to pitch over the weekend, Josh Winckowski (Monday’s starter) may get a chance to stay in the rotation.
“He’s trending in the right direction,” Cora said of Whitlock. “At one point on the road trip, he’ll be with us.”
Eovaldi still coming along slowly
Righty Nate Eovaldi (low back inflammation) is still coming along slower than the Red Sox would have hoped. He’s not going to be ready to come back in Cleveland when he’s first eligible to be activated off the IL. Eovaldi is still getting treatment on his back.
“Getting better, but not to the pace we thought it would be,” Cora said. “Right now, we just have to be patient with him. Hopefully, by the end of the week, he can get on the mound and we can go from there.”
Taylor likely to throw another bullpen before rehab stint begins
Lefty Josh Taylor (low back strain) is likely to throw another bullpen session before beginning a rehab assignment, Cora said. Taylor threw two live batting practice sessions at Fenway last week (Wednesday and Saturday) and is getting close to getting into game action.
There has been no setback with Taylor, Cora said. It’s unknown if Taylor is vaccinated. If he isn’t, he would have to miss next week’s three-game series in Toronto. Any unvaccinated player on the injured list would likely not be activated before that trip.
“He’s OK. He checked OK,” Cora said.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 21, 2022 3:13:24 GMT -5
Boston Red Sox bringing back yellow and blue jerseys this week: ‘We need the team store to sell a few of them,’ Alex Cora jokes Published: Jun. 20, 2022, 6:09 p.m.
By Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com
BOSTON -- The Red Sox are bringing back their yellow and blue City Connect jerseys for this week’s series against the Tigers. Boston will wear their Marathon-inspired scheme for Monday’s opener and will likely keep doing so for all three games against Detroit, manager Alex Cora said.
“We’ll probably go three games with them,” Cora said. “You never know. We might lose today and that’s it.’”
Boston last wore their yellow alternates for two games before Marathon Monday (April 16 and 17) and beat the Twins in both games. Since introducing them last year, the Red Sox are 8-2 in yellow and blue. Earlier this week, Cora texted home clubhouse manager Tommy McLaughlin asking when the Red Sox were planning to wear the unique color scheme again. Enter your email address here to receive the Fenway Rundown email newsletter in your inbox every Wednesday.
“We need the team store to sell a few of them,” Cora joked. “We’ve got to help them out.”
The Red Sox first introduced the City Connect jerseys last April and brought them back in September as they were pushing for a playoff spot. They won five straight games in them from Sept. 17-22 then ditched them once they lost to the Yankees on Sept. 24. The alternates are being worn on a select basis this year.
Per the Red Sox pregame notes: “Unveiled in April 2021, the uniform adopts the blue and yellow colors that honor the spirit of Patriots’ Day weekend, and features ‘Boston’ in a stencil font across the chest paying tribute to the Boylston Street finish line. The numbers ‘617′ are highlighted on the left sleeve as a nod to the area code for Boston and Fenway Park. The numbers appear within a racing bib, honoring one of the city’s most iconic annual sports traditions.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 21, 2022 3:14:21 GMT -5
Franchy Cordero has 3 hits, Josh Winckowski goes 6 ⅔ innings as Boston Red Sox beat Tigers, 5-2 Updated: Jun. 20, 2022, 10:56 p.m. | Published: Jun. 20, 2022, 10:07 p.m.
By Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com
BOSTON -- Red Sox manager Alex Cora often says that teams require contributions from far more players than the 26 they carry on their Opening Day rosters. On Monday night, two players who didn’t start the year in the majors carried Boston to a win over the Tigers.
Rookie starter Josh Winckowski pitched 6 ⅔ innings and first baseman Franchy Cordero had three hits and two RBIs as the Red Sox beat the Tigers, 5-2, in the opener of a three-game series at Fenway Park. The Red Sox are now a season-high six games over .500 at 37-31 after winning 14 of their first 18 games in June.
Boston struck almost immediately in the bottom of the first, as Jarren Duran walked, stole second and then scored on a J.D. Martinez RBI single. After Spencer Torkelson tied the game with a sacrifice fly in the second, Duran and Devers hit back-to-back doubles to lead off the third and give the Red Sox a 2-1 lead.
After a Christian Vázquez sacrifice fly made it 3-1 in the third, Cordero -- who had already doubled -- gave the Sox a cushion with a two-run single off reliever Tyler Alexander in the fifth. Cordero finished 3-for-4.
Winckowski, making his third career big league start, allowed two runs on seven hits in 6 ⅔ frames. He struck out two batters and walked one and was lifted after Jonathan Schoop’s RBI double cut Boston’s deficit to three runs in the seventh.
Jake Diekman, Matt Strahm John Schreiber and Tanner Houck combined for 2 ⅓ scoreless innings of relief. In the eighth, Schreiber (a former Tiger) struck out Riley Greene with two runners on to end the inning then celebrated demonstratively as he jogged off the field. Houck recorded his fifth save of the year, appearing on back-to-back days for the first time in his major league career. Enter your email address here to receive the Fenway Rundown email newsletter in your inbox every Wednesday.
Verdugo makes diving catch
In the seventh, with a man on second and two outs, Alex Verdugo saved a run with a spectacular diving catch on a hard-hit Eric Haase line drive.
Hill on tap for Tuesday
Left-hander Rich Hill (2-4, 4.42 ERA) will get the start for the Red Sox in the middle game of the series Tuesday night. Righty Beau Brieske (1-5, 3.79 ERA) is scheduled to pitch for Detroit. First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m. ET.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 21, 2022 3:15:56 GMT -5
Josh Winckowski will make next start in Boston Red Sox rotation after strong outing vs. Tigers Updated: Jun. 21, 2022, 3:48 a.m. | Published: Jun. 21, 2022, 3:45 a.m.
By Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com
BOSTON -- Red Sox righty Josh Winckowski will remain in the team’s rotation -- at least for one more outing.
Winckowski will pitch this weekend in Cleveland, manager Alex Cora said Monday night. The rookie could pitch either Saturday on regular rest or Sunday if Garrett Whitlock is able to return from the injured list.
Boston’s pitching plans for the weekend are a bit up in the air. An off day Thursday gives Cora some flexibility. Nick Pivetta, who pitched Sunday, could go Friday on regular rest or Saturday if Whitlock comes back for the opener against the Guardians. The Red Sox could go with Pivetta, Winckowski and Rich Hill in Cleveland then activate Whitlock in Toronto, where a three-game series starts next Monday. Regardless of when he pitches, Winckowski -- who was born in Toledo, Ohio -- is excited to pitch in his home state. Enter your email address here to receive the Fenway Rundown email newsletter in your inbox every Wednesday.
“My grandparents still live in Toledo so they’ll definitely be there which will be nice,” Winckowski said.
Winckowski’s last two starts have earned him another chance in the majors. On Monday, he held the Tigers to two runs on seven hits in 6 ⅔ innings while earning his second straight win. After struggling in his debut against the Orioles on May 28, he has pitched well against Oakland and Detroit in his last two outings. In total, he owns a 3.68 ERA in three starts.
Cora thinks Winckowski’s last two outings are more indicative of his potential than his debut, which came with the righty as the 27th man for a doubleheader against the O’s.
“The first one is always tough,” Cora said. “Big-league debut knowing you’ll be back in Worcester in 24 hours. One outing, it’s hard to know who he is or what he’s all about but he has thrown the ball well lately. He’s pounding the strike zone, good stuff, secondary pitches are playing right now. Got some ground balls when we had to and that was enough today.”
Being with the Red Sox for the last week has allowed Winckowski to settle into a big league lifestyle.
“That definitely helped a lot,” Winckowski said. “The last outing, I kind of drove up here the day of, which wasn’t too bad but was a little out of the ordinary for a start day. Just being able to throw a bullpen here, lift here and do all that stuff here, it definitely helped a lot with comfort.”
“He has been here for a week,” Cora said. “Meetings, scouting report, following (Michael) Wacha and all the things that come with being a big leaguer. Now, at least he has five or six days which is very important for the progress of the player.”
Even when Whitlock returns, the Red Sox will still be without Nate Eovaldi, who is progressing slower than the team anticipated in his return from a back injury. Winckowski could theoretically remain in the rotation until Eovaldi returns or Chris Sale is activated form the injured list.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 21, 2022 3:28:05 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 8h J.D. Martinez is going to get paid.
Universal DH certainly was a positive development for his career. He still rakes.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 21, 2022 3:38:02 GMT -5
RED SOX NOTEBOOK Jackie Bradley Jr.’s return has been a sight to see, following a revealing eye test By Alex Speier Globe Staff,Updated June 20, 2022, 12:54 p.m.
Jackie Bradley Jr.’s precipitous dropoff in 2021 with the Brewers proved so severe as to border on the inexplicable. This spring, however, a reason for his career-worst .163/.236/.261 line and 30.8 percent strikeout rate quite literally came into sharper focus.
An eye check revealed an astigmatism in Bradley’s right eye. The abnormal curvature had a subtle blurring effect.
“I didn’t know. I thought my eyes were fine,” said Bradley before Monday’s 5-2 win over Detroit. “I guess they weren’t.”
Bradley now wears corrective glasses during batting practice and at home. During games, he wears a contact lens in his right eye.
The improvement over 2021 has been clear. Bradley’s overall numbers are modest — a .228 average, .277 on-base, and .326 slugging mark — but as he’s become more accustomed to playing with a contact lens, his performance has continued to improve. He was at .281/.315/.405 in his last 38 games prior to Monday’s 0 for 4, offering solid offensive contributions on top of his typically spectacular defense.
What has the astigmatism-correcting contact affected?
“Everything,” said Bradley. “[With an astigmatism] you’re seeing in two different depths. That’s not medically very good in baseball. It’s gotten better [this season]. . . . It took me some time to get used to the correction as well. I think it’s going in the right direction. I can see now. That’s kind of important.”
Jeter Downs arrives
With teams permitted to carry no more than 13 pitchers as of Monday, the Sox (who’d been carrying 14, versus 12 position players) called up Jeter Downs from Triple-A Worcester for his big league debut and designated recently acquired righty James Norwood for assignment.
Downs said that he’d been sleeping in on a WooSox off-day, and with his phone on do-not-disturb, he missed a couple of phone calls from the team. Finally, he saw a text from WooSox manager Chad Tracy asking him to call.
“He was like, ‘You trying not to get to the big leagues?’ I couldn’t believe it,” Downs relayed. “Started crying. It was pretty surreal.”
Downs is hitting .180/.297/.397 with 11 homers and 11 steals in 53 games this year for the WooSox, playing solid defense at both second and short. Though his 31.1 percent strikeout rate in Triple A remains concerning, he’s shown considerable improvement in his plate discipline and pitch selection this year, evident both in his 11.4 percent walk rate and in the frequency with which he’s making hard contact.
The 23-year-old is likely to be with the Sox only briefly. Both Kiké Hernández (hip) and Christian Arroyo (who rejoined the team after a COVID-19 infection on Monday) are going to the WooSox on rehab assignments in the coming days and could rejoin the Sox early in their coming road trip. Manager Alex Cora said that the righthanded-hitting Downs will get a start against Tigers lefty Tarik Skubal on Wednesday, but it’s possible that he could be back in the minors by the weekend.
Even so, for Downs — whose mother, girlfriend, brother (Jerry, a former Red Sox minor leaguer), and best friend made it to Fenway — the duration of his first big league stint mattered less than the fact that it had arrived.
“I can’t believe I just took [batting practice] here,” Downs beamed. “I still can’t believe it happened and that I’m here. I’m trying to take it in, every single second. Watch the older guys and how they go about their business and learn as much as possible.”
Norwood, 28, was acquired from the Phillies for cash considerations on Saturday, added to the roster on Sunday, and designated on Monday. The Sox are hoping that he’ll clear waivers so that he can be outrighted to the minors and emerge as part of the team’s bullpen depth.
Tanner Houck to miss another Toronto series
Cora said Tanner Houck will not accompany the Red Sox to Toronto for their series next week. It will mark the second time this year Houck, who converted a fifth straight save opportunity Monday, misses a series due to his failure to comply with Canadian vaccination requirements for those visiting the country . . . Righthander Garrett Whitlock, on the injured list since June 10 with right hip inflammation, said that he feels good and has gotten back to throwing off a mound in a 20-pitch bullpen session. The Red Sox expect him to be activated during the coming road trip, likely next week. “Whenever they decide to let me back in the rotation, whenever they want me back to active, that’s when I’ll join in,” said Whitlock . . . Nate Eovaldi (back) appears to be at least a week behind Whitlock. The Sox are hopeful he can throw a bullpen session by the weekend . . . The Sox donned their yellow City Connect uniforms for the opener of the series against the Tigers. “We needed the team store to sell a few of them, so we’re helping them out,” joked Cora. “Probably we’ll go three games with them. [But you] never know, we might lose today and that’s it” . . . Former Red Sox star Manny Ramirez was honored for his recent induction into the Red Sox team Hall of Fame. David Ortiz presented his longtime lineup partner with the plaque, and Ramirez threw out the first pitch. Both Ramirez and Ortiz enjoyed an animated exchange from a distance with fellow hitter extraordinaire Miguel Cabrera of the Tigers. “This is my home,” Ramirez said of his reception at Fenway. “That’s Boston and those fans they’re the best. ... They always remember you and they always support you.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 21, 2022 3:40:24 GMT -5
Alex Speier @alexspeier · 6h Rays lose to the Yankees. Red Sox are in third place for the first time since 4/22.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 21, 2022 3:44:56 GMT -5
Red Sox notebook: Tanner Houck to remain in bullpen, will miss upcoming Toronto series due to vaccination status Houck has converted the Sox’ last four save opportunities
By Jason Mastrodonato | jason.mastrodonato@bostonherald.com | Boston Herald PUBLISHED: June 20, 2022 at 7:17 p.m. | UPDATED: June 20, 2022 at 7:56 p.m.
The last time the Red Sox went to Toronto, they had to shuffle their rotation to make sure Tanner Houck wasn’t due to pitch.
Houck, who isn’t vaccinated from COVID-19 and thus can’t enter Canada, will once again be unable to participate in the key American League East series against the Blue Jays when the Sox travel to Toronto on Sunday night.
This time the Sox won’t need to shuffle their rotation. Instead, they’ll lose their closer.
Houck has completed the last four saves for the Red Sox in his last four appearances dating back to June 10. Manager Alex Cora said Houck remains unvaccinated, so the team will need to make new plans for the late innings next week.
Asked if he’d consider moving Houck back to the rotation, Cora said he would not.
Houck began the year in the rotation and looked good, allowing just 11 hits in 14 innings with a 3.21 ERA. The Red Sox went 2-1 in his starts.
He originally struggled with the transition to a multi-inning relief role, but has a 0.93 ERA in outings of two innings or shorter. He’s yet to blow a save, a key statistic given the Sox were just 10-for-23 in save opportunities before Houck took over the ninth inning.
“This team needed this, as far as structure,” Cora said Monday. “For a month and a half, we struggled getting 27 outs. We can talk about the offense and we didn’t hit or whatever, but we didn’t finish games from the mound, too.” Whitlock to stay in rotation
While the Sox originally took Houck out of the rotation because he wouldn’t be available in Toronto and to allow Garrett Whitlock to make a start while Rich Hill was on the bereavement list, they liked the way Whitlock looked in the rotation and have found a way to make Houck valuable out of the ‘pen.
Cora said the injured Whitlock will remain a starter “as of right now.” That could obviously change when Chris Sale is ready to make his season debut.
Houck appears locked into the ninth inning.
“If you take away the Angels outing where we actually had to stretch him out, he’s been a really good reliever for us,” Cora said. “Now it’s a different structure, it’s a different role. Understanding he can go multiple innings on certain days. Same way with John Schreiber, with Matt Strahm. It’s a different game from now on, so we’ll see how it goes. But this is the decision we made a few weeks ago and for now we have to stick with it.”
Leaving Houck in the bullpen is also a result of the club feeling good about its starting depth. Josh Winckowski (4.50 ERA) and Kutter Crawford (6.41 ERA) have been used as starters, while top pitching prospect Brayan Bello (1.60 ERA in six starts in Triple-A Worcester) is also looking like an option who could soon make his debut.
Whitlock, on the injured list with a hip inflammation, is due to throw a bullpen session Tuesday and is likely to rejoin the team sometime on this upcoming road trip, Cora said. Eovaldi delayed
Nathan Eovaldi, on the IL with low back inflammation, is behind schedule.
“We just have to be patient with him,” Cora said. “Hopefully by the end of the week, he can get on the mound and go from there and then we’ll make decisions depending on how he feels.” Sale begins rehab assignment
Sale made his first rehab outing in the Florida Complex League on Monday night.
Though he was expected to throw two innings, he was yanked after just one. He allowed one run on a wild pitch, walk and an RBI single. He struck out one (Rays star Wander Franco) before making an early exit.
He’ll be on a normal five-day routine going forward.
“I know people get excited when he gets on the mound but we’ve got to be patient,” Cora said. “We’ve got to go through the whole process and just get him on the mound in a game. Now we can see it, right? He’ll be here at one point and he’s going to contribute.
“This is a lot different from last year as far as his arm. He’s in a much better spot. He’s moving a lot better so we expect him to use all his pitches, which is important compared to last year. Just be him.” Downs gets the call
The Red Sox called up former top prospect Jeter Downs to provide infield depth.
Downs had been hitting just .180 with a .694 OPS in Triple-A Worcester, but the Sox were in need of a middle infielder and needed to trim their roster down to 13 pitchers on Monday, as MLB began to reinforce a rule that had previously been relaxed to provide teams flexibility coming off the shortened spring training.
Kiké Hernandez (injured list) and Christian Arroyo (COVID-19 related injured list) are both expected to go on a minor league rehab assignment before they return to the big leagues, paving way for a short stint for Downs to be the backup infielder.
Cora said he expects Downs to start at third base against Tigers’ lefty Tarik Skubal on Wednesday. The Sox are off on Thursday and could get Hernandez and/or Arroyo back in time for the start of their series with the Cleveland Guardians on Friday. Uniform change
The Red Sox were wearing their yellow City Connect uniforms on Monday and are likely to wear them through Wednesday.
“Yeah we needed the team store to sell a few of them so we’re helping them out,” Cora joked.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 21, 2022 3:49:56 GMT -5
Tigers @ Red Sox Tuesday, 21rst June 2022 7pm @ Fenway
Brieske 1-5/ 3.79
Hill 2-4/4.42
Vet Rich Hill starts for Red Sox vs. Tigers rookie Beau Brieske FLM
The final leg of a nine-game homestand for the Boston Red Sox continues with the second of three games against the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday night.
The pitching matchup features a 42-year-old veteran, Boston left-hander Rich Hill, and a 24-year-old rookie who is making just his 11th career start, Detroit right-hander Beau Brieske.
Brieske is coming off back-to-back scoreless starts. He beat the Toronto Blue Jays while firing 5 2/3 innings on June 11, and then he limited the Texas Rangers to three hits across seven innings in a no-decision on Thursday.
"He was really good at attacking the strike zone," Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said following Brieske's most recent start. "He got into a lot of good counts. He was able to spin enough (pitches) and landed some pretty good changeups. His fastball location was the best it's been since he's been a big-leaguer."
Brieske's effective pitch mix led to six strikeouts, the second-highest total of his young career.
Tuesday will mark Brieske's first career appearance against Boston.
Before arriving in Boston, the Tigers won back-to-back games to conclude the series against the Rangers, bouncing back from a six-game losing streak. Brieske started in the fifth of those six losses, but he has helped bring stability to a struggling club.
"Really I feel like I'm starting to feel a little bit more comfortable up there and more consistent in my mechanics," Brieske said. "You can make adjustments better when you're repeating your mechanics more and more, and we can attribute a lot of that to the work I've been doing with (pitching coach Chris Fetter) in between my starts."
The Red Sox will look to improve to 6-2 on the homestand with Hill on the mound following a 5-2 win in the series opener on Monday.
Franchy Cordero had three hits and two RBIs for Boston, while Jarren Duran contributed two hits, two runs and two stolen bases.
"I feel like personally I've been trying to have more fun," said Duran, who was recalled from Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday. "Last year I put a lot of pressure on myself coming up here. I expected myself to do a lot, but I'm trying to enjoy the moment now."
Earlier Monday, Boston infielder Jeter Downs earned his first call to the big leagues, and he awaits his debut. The 23-year-old hit 11 home runs and stole 11 bases for Worcester this season.
"He's a good defender, good baserunner, right-handed hitter," Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. "Obviously, the situation with (Enrique Hernandez) and Christian (Arroyo) had to do with it."
Hernandez is out due to a hip injury, while Arroyo is battling COVID-19.
Hill (2-4, 4.42 ERA) tied his season high with seven hits allowed in his 5 2/3-inning start against the Oakland A's on Thursday. He allowed four runs (three earned) and struck out four, taking a loss for the first time since May 30.
The Boston native has issued two or fewer walks in all but one of his 12 starts this year and tossed at least five innings in five of his past eight.
Hill faced the Tigers for only the second time since 2017 on April 12, when he worked 4 1/3 innings of three-run ball in a no-decision. He is 3-0 with a 4.03 ERA in 18 career appearances (five starts) against Detroit.
Boston is 14-4 in June and sits six games over .500 for the first time this season.
"Every season has certain moments where you want to see how the team responds and (last weekend's series against St. Louis) was one for us," outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. said on Sunday after the Red Sox took two of three from the Cardinals.
--Field Level Media
Tigers at Red Sox Tuesday, at 7:10 PM EST Partly Cloudy According to Forecast.io, it's expected to be 68° F with a 2% chance of rain and 10 MPH wind blowing right to left in Boston at 7:10 PM EST. Hourly Forecasts: Weather.com Forecast.io
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Post by Kimmi on Jun 21, 2022 8:03:38 GMT -5
Yup, today would be a good game to win. Faedo has done a good job so far, and Wink has been inconsistent. It would be a good game to get a lead. Detroit has surprisingly good BP results. The Tigers actually outhit us by one hit, but thankfully weren't able to put together any scoring rallies.
Good win for the good guys.
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