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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 25, 2023 12:40:13 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 2h Garrett Whitlock went 3.1 IP, 63 pitches (40 strikes). 4 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 3 K, 1 HR. Pitch timer won’t be an issue for him. He works at a quick pace.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 25, 2023 12:42:31 GMT -5
Ian Browne @ianmbrowne · 4h Alex Cora and all players in Major League camp (aside from starting pitcher Corey Kluber) stayed in Fort Myers today for the team workout. Kluber going four innings at the Trop. Whitlock going four in Fort Myers.
The earliest Garrett Whitlock can pitch for the Red Sox based on the IL time he will have to serve is Tuesday, April 11 at Tropicana Field. That is the 11th game of the season for the Red Sox so that's not bad at all.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 25, 2023 12:44:17 GMT -5
Kluber giving up a dinger and the clowns in the booth saying he is working on other pitches is a laugh a minute
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Post by scrappyunderdog on Mar 25, 2023 13:31:38 GMT -5
“I got a little bit more pull-oriented the last couple years,” Dalbec said. “I guess you can call that some of the poison generally. I’ve never been really successful when I’m just trying to be pull-side air. That’s not the kind of hitter I was.
=========================
I've been saying that for a long time, and Dalbec is not alone. There are a decent amount of guys that can go yard from foul line to foul line. But trying to pull outside pitches really undermine them.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 25, 2023 13:54:33 GMT -5
Marc Topkin @tbtimes_Rays · 1m Jose Siri just stole home in the 7th inning of a spring training game for #Rays, who now lead #RedSox 4-2
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 25, 2023 15:08:57 GMT -5
Red Sox @redsox · 55m FINAL: Rays 4, #RedSox 2
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 25, 2023 15:09:47 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 52m Rays 4, Red Sox 2 in 2:06 at the Trop.
Corey Kluber went 4 innings in a tune-up for Opening Day.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 25, 2023 16:33:28 GMT -5
Red Sox Notes: Alfaro, Goodrum, Tapia, Allen
By Darragh McDonald | March 25, 2023 at 4:12pm CDT
Catcher Jorge Alfaro is in camp with the Red Sox on a minor league deal and it was reported about three weeks ago that he has an upward mobility clause in his contract. Today, Chris Cotillo of MassLive has the details on how that will play out.
If Alfaro is not added to the club’s 40-man roster today, he can request that the Sox email the other 29 clubs, which they must do within 24 hours. Those other clubs will then have 24 hours to express their interest in giving Alfaro a spot on their own respective rosters. If one or multiple clubs are willing to give Alfaro a spot, Boston has 72 hours to decide whether or not to add Alfaro to their roster or let him join one of the other interested teams. If more than one team is interested, the Sox can choose which one he goes to.
The Red Sox only have two catchers on their 40-man roster at the moment, who are Reese McGuire and Connor Wong. The latter of those two was dealing with a hamstring strain earlier in spring, which seemed to open the door for Alfaro to get a job. However, Wong now seems healthy and back in the mix for a spot on the Opening Day roster. The Sox would surely love to keep Alfaro around as depth in the event another injury pops up, but it will depend on his level of interest from other clubs around the league.
Chris Hatfield of SoxProspects.com reports that utility player Niko Goodrum also has an upward mobility clause that gets going today, though it’s not known if it will take the exact same shape as Alfaro’s. The 31-year-old signed a minor league deal with the Red Sox on the heels of a rough season with the Astros. He hit .116/.156/.163 last year while striking out in 51.1% of his 45 plate appearances. He was optioned by the Astros but an injury limited him to just 20 minor league games for the year. He was released by Houston and the Red Sox took a flier on him but he’s hitting just .178/.275/.178 in spring so far. He can play all over the diamond but likely has steep odds of making the team, as he’s competing against guys who already have roster spots. Rob Refsnyder and Jarren Duran are candidates for a backup outfield job, while Bobby Dalbec and Yu Chang are potential bench infielders.
Another option for a job with the Red Sox is outfielder Raimel Tapia, who’s also in camp on a minor league deal. Hatfield adds that Tapia can opt-out of his deal on Monday if not added to the roster. Tapia was with the Blue Jays last year and hit .265/.292/.380 for a wRC+ of 90. With the Sox moving Enrique Hernández to cover shortstop while Trevor Story is injured, they have some uncertainty in center field. Adam Duvall is set to be the regular option there, though the 34-year-old has never seen extended time there. Tapia has primarily been a left fielder in his career, though he did play center in 38 games last year and the Sox are reportedly open to using him there as well. Perhaps that ability to play center gives him an edge in the battle for bench jobs in Boston, though he’s not on the 40-man right now. The club will evidently have to make a decision in the next couple of days or they could watch him walk away from his contract. He’s having a nice spring, hitting .325/.372/.600 thus far.
The Sox currently have a full 40-man roster and would have to open up some spots if they want to add anyone from this group. Should any of this group not make the club and then end up sticking around, they will have more options to opt out in the future. Per Hatfield, Goodrum can opt out on May 1 and July 1, Alfaro on June 1 and July 1 and Tapia on July 1. Additionally, outfielder Greg Allen has an upward mobility clause on May 15 and June 15.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 25, 2023 16:42:10 GMT -5
After breakout Classic, Chang battles for roster spot Visa issues delayed Pool A MVP's arrival in Fort Myers, but did not deter his enthusiasm 4:29 PM ADT Ian Browne
Ian Browne @ianmbrowne ;
21 seconds remaining
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Fresh off being named the Most Valuable Player of Pool A in the World Baseball Classic, Yu Chang could have ridden back into Red Sox camp riding a wave of momentum.
Instead, he waited. And waited. And waited.
There were visa issues that delayed Chang flying from his home in Taiwan -- where he starred for Chinese Taipei in the WBC -- to Fort Myers.
Chang (7-for-16 with two doubles, two homers and eight RBIs in the Classic) took his final at-bat for Chinese Taipei on March 11. He at last landed in Fort Myers on March 23, leaving him with a very short time to solidify his spot on Boston’s Opening Day roster.
The Red Sox play their final Grapefruit League game on Tuesday and open up at home against the Orioles at Fenway Park on Thursday.
“Yeah, of course I was a little bit nervous waiting for the visa to get back to me, ” Chang said. “Now the situation is not too many games left before we break camp, so I want to get myself in the best shape and get ready to go."
Because the Red Sox didn’t sign Chang until Feb. 16, he wasn’t able to get to Fort Myers before the WBC, leaving him with a very brief time to make an impression on the team he played 11 games with at the end of last season. However, that brief stint with Boston was just a portion of Chang’s well-traveled 2022 season, during which he also played games for the Guardians, Pirates and Rays. Yes, four teams in one season.
A right-handed hitter who can play all four infield positions, Chang hopes to live a less nomadic existence this season.
“Of course it’s not ideal playing for four different teams in one season, but hopefully the Red Sox can be my home, and I can play here as long as possible,” Chang said.
The first thing he will have to do is beat Bobby Dalbec out for the utility infield spot for Boston. Dalbec has Minor League options, so Chang is considered the favorite to win the spot so the organization can keep both players.
But the Red Sox haven’t made any announcements yet, and Chang has yet to be told by the club if he will head north.
The 27-year-old did his best to stay in shape during his visa wait by working out with his high school team, as well as his personal trainer.
The reason Chang’s offensive outburst for Chinese Taipei was so interesting is that he hasn’t shown much production to date in his Major League career, putting up a batting line of .213/.279/.360 with 14 homers and 61 RBIs in 538 plate appearances.
Playing for his country, Chang got in the proverbial zone.
“I felt good in the box. See the ball, hit the ball. Fortunately, the outcome was good,” said Chang. “I really appreciated the fans from Taiwan rooting for me, and the team as well, and glad they got something from us in return.”
Though Chang has been known almost exclusively for his defense to this point in his career, he thinks there is more in his bat than the numbers show to date.
“I’m pretty confident about what I can do in the box, and hopefully I’ll keep myself in a good spot and keep performing,” said Chang.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 25, 2023 16:43:38 GMT -5
Injuries & Moves: Paxton throws live BP again 3:29 PM ADT LATEST NEWS
March 25: LHP James Paxton throws live batting practice Saturday was an important day for the left-hander Paxton, who threw an inning of live batting practice at Fenway South. It was Paxton's first time facing hitters since March 3, when he suffered a right hamstring strain in the second inning of his first Grapefruit League start against the Twins. Paxton will throw two innings of live BP in a few days. After that, he will start a Spring Training progression of five starts or so, meaning the earliest he will pitch for the Red Sox is May.
March 25: RHP Kenley Jansen hopes to pitch Sunday A day after he was removed in mid-inning with light-headedness, Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen was still feeling dizzy and was having some stomach issues on Saturday morning. He was sent home for the day. Boston's closer is hoping he can pitch Sunday's home game against the Twins. Jansen was assured that the light-headedness had nothing to do with the heart issues he's had in the past.
March 25: RHP Garrett Whitlock on track for Triple-A opener Everything continues to trend upward for Whitlock in his return from right hip surgery. The righty pitched four innings in a Minor League game on Saturday. He will pitch Opening Day for Triple-A Worcester on March 31. Whitlock will open the season on the 15-day injured list. He could be inserted into the rotation by April 11, when the Sox are at Tropicana Field for a four-game series. Whitlock underwent right hip surgery last September, which is why the club brought him along at a slower progression this spring.
C Connor Wong (Grade 1 left hamstring strain) Expected return: Possibly Opening Day Wong, who suffered a Grade 1 strain of his left hamstring on March 2, could be ready in time for Opening Day. Wong caught seven innings in a Minor League game on March 25. He has been getting at-bats as a rover in Minor League games all week. Wong is in competition with Jorge Alfaro to break camp as the backup catcher. (Last updated: March 25)
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 25, 2023 16:45:14 GMT -5
Raimel Tapia ‘belongs’ on Red Sox 26-man roster, he believes
Updated: Mar. 25, 2023, 3:09 p.m.|Published: Mar. 25, 2023, 2:40 p.m.
By
Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
FORT MYERS, Fla. — Two of the non-roster invitees at Red Sox camp still competing for spots on the Opening Day roster have All-Star hair.
Jorge Alfaro, who’s competing for one of the catcher spots, is nicknamed Aquaman because he has the same body-type and long hair as actor Jason Momoa. Alfaro hasn’t had his hair cut in three years.
Outfielder Raimel Tapia, who also is competing for a 26-man roster spot, hasn’t gone for a true haircut in more than three times that long.
“Since 2013,” Tapia said through translator Carlos Villoria Benítez. “So 10 years.” BetMGM Massachusetts BET $10, GET $200 BONUS BETS 21+ and present in Massachusetts. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
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Tapia has received a trim to tidy up the sides but he has been growing out the top since Jacoby Ellsbury still played for the Red Sox.
Haircuts aside, Tapia has had an excellent spring and he has a good chance to make the team. He is 13-for-40 (.325 batting average) with a .372 on-base percentage, .600 slugging percentage, .972 OPS, two homers, five doubles, five RBIs, six runs, two walks, six strikeouts and three stolen bases in 15 Grapefruit League games.
The 29-year-old left-handed hitter signed a minor league contract that will pay him $2 million if he makes the major league club. It also includes an opt-out clause. He can elect free agency and pursue opportunities elsewhere, either on major or minor league deals, if he’s not added to the roster.
He said earlier this spring he definitely had expected to receive a major league contract.
“I know I belong (on) the 26-man roster,” Tapia said Saturday.
Tapia said he “firmly believes” he belongs in the big leagues.
“And I’m ready to show it as soon as I’m added to the 26-man roster if I’m added,” Tapia said.
The Red Sox will need to clear a roster spot for him.
He can play all three outfield positions and has good bat-to-ball skills with a respectable 18.5% strikeout percentage for his career. He has a career .277/.318/.392/.709 line in 567 major league games with the Rockies and Blue Jays.
He said he thinks he can help the Red Sox in multiple ways, including providing a spark off the bench.
“Also, my aggressiveness on the base paths. I think that’s also something I can help the team with,” Tapia said. “And also being a good teammate even when you’re not playing. Just be happy, trying to cheer the guys if I’m not playing. But if I’m playing, just keep my 100% (effort), play really hard and that’s one of the things I take pride in.”
Tapia is looking forward to potentially playing all his home games at Fenway Park. He batted .290 with a .516 slugging percentage, three homers, three doubles, one triple, 16 RBIs and 10 runs in 15 games against Boston last year.
“I feel really comfortable playing at Fenway,” Tapia said. “It’s going to be really nice to be able to play 81 games there. And one of the things I feel comfortable with is when you see the left field wall so close. It makes me stay close and not try to do too much. With fastballs, I use my hands. And with a breaking ball, I try to let the ball get to home plate. For me, that’s why I’ve been so successful at Fenway because my game changes because of the Green Monster. And my game-plan just adjusts.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 25, 2023 16:47:22 GMT -5
Red Sox’s Alex Cora gives potential timelines for Garrett Whitlock, Brayan Bello to return
Published: Mar. 25, 2023, 4:59 p.m.
By
Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Though three Red Sox starting pitchers will begin the year on the injured list, that doesn’t mean they’ll all be out long. Garrett Whitlock and Brayan Bello are expected to rejoin the rotation sometime in mid-to-late April while James Paxton is expected back at some point in May. Manager Alex Cora offered updates on all three pitchers Saturday at Fenway South:
Whitlock two outings away from return
Whitlock (rehabbing from September hip surgery) pitched in a minor league game on a back field at Fenway South on Saturday afternoon. He went 3 ⅓ innings, allowing three runs on four hits while striking out three batters. Forty of his 63 pitches were strikes.
Whitlock is set to start on Opening Day for Triple-A Worcester on Friday and is expected to pitch five innings. Cora said the righty will likely require one more rehab start after that, which would line up to be on April 5. Assuming all goes well, it’s possible Whitlock could be activated while the Red Sox are in St. Petersburg for a four-game series from April 10-13. His schedule would line up with the April 11 game against Tampa Bay.
Whitlock will be a full-time starter for the first time this season. Cora is excited to see what he can do in that role.
“He had the whole spring to build up and it’s not the whole like, ‘You’re gonna be a bullpen guy and then all of the sudden you’re gonna start.’ I think he learned a lot last year, the few weeks that he was a starter, understanding how to prepare, how to use his stuff. He’s in a great spot. Physically, night and day compared to last year. Last year, he could barely walk. Now he’s just a normal athlete, which is the most important thing.”
Bello a bit behind Whitlock
Bello (slow buildup after forearm soreness early in camp) allowed one run and struck out four batters in three innings in a Double-A game Friday afternoon, throwing 42 pitches. Cora said Bello is likely to throw in another B-game Wednesday at Fenway South and then will likely head to either Double-A Portland or Triple-A Worcester.
Bello is expected to make his first minor league regular season start around April 4. He’ll likely need three more outings (including Wednesday’s) before being considered fully ready. That means he could be activated at some point in mid-to-late April.
Paxton throws live BP as progression restarts
Paxton (hamstring strain) faced hitters Saturday for the first time since March 4, when he strained his hamstring in his Grapefruit League debut against Minnesota. Paxton is about to restart his spring progression, meaning he will need to make five or six starts before being considered for activation.
Saturday’s outing represented an important step for the oft-injured lefty, who may return sometime in May.
“I’m glad that he’s back on the mound, which is very important,” Cora said. “My high of the spring was him throwing 94-95 (mph) (before getting hurt). Not disappointed, but like more for him. This guy has been through so much the last few years and he was feeling really good in that inning and then that happened. The fact that he’s back there (throwing again) tells a lot about him. There’s no obstacles for him. He’s gonna keep going and I believe he’s gonna contribute, sooner rather than later, to what we are trying to accomplish.”
Cora said Paxton will likely fly to Boston with the team for Opening Day festivities then return to Fort Myers to continue his rehab.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 25, 2023 16:52:06 GMT -5
SPRING TRAINING REPORT Saturday’s spring training report: Red Sox Opening Day starter Corey Kluber goes four innings in final tuneup By Peter Abraham Globe Staff,Updated March 25, 2023, 1 hour ago
SCORE: Rays 4, Red Sox 2
RECORD: 14-11-4
BREAKDOWN: At Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Corey Kluber threw 62 pitches over four innings in his final start before Opening Day. He allowed three runs on four hits. A lineup of Triple A players was held to four hits by six Rays pitchers. Enmanuel Valdez had a two-run homer off Yonny Chirinos. Jose Siri had a straight steal of home for the Rays in the seventh inning off an inattentive Durbin Feltman. Sox shortstop prospect Marcelo Mayer was 1 for 1 with a stolen base. The game finished in 2 hours, 6 minutes.
NEXT: The Sox host the Twins on Sunday at 1:05 p.m. You’ll want to fly down as it’s the deciding game of the vaunted Chairman’s Cup series. The teams split their first four games. The Sox will start Chris Sale against Sonny Gray. NESN has the game.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 25, 2023 19:05:17 GMT -5
RED SOX NOTEBOOK Yu Chang hasn’t played a game for the Red Sox this spring but is still likely to make the team By Peter Abraham Globe Staff,Updated March 25, 2023, 2 hours ago
FORT MYERS, Fla. — Spring training ends Tuesday and infielder Yu Chang has yet to play a game for the Red Sox. But he remains likely to make the roster for Opening Day.
His is an unusual case.
Chang played for the Guardians, Pirates, and Rays last season before the Sox claimed him off waivers Sept. 12. Chang appeared in 11 games and was released in November. The Sox then signed him to a major league contract Feb. 16.
Chang at that point was preparing to play for Taiwan in the World Baseball Classic and remained with that team. He was 7 of 16 with two homers and eight RBIs over four games and was named MVP of Pool A.
“I enjoyed the whole tournament,” Chang said via translator Mickey Chang, one of the minor league coaches. “I felt good in the box.”
Taiwan was eliminated on March 11, but Chang did not arrive at Fenway South until Friday because of a visa issue. In the interim, Chang worked out with his high school team in Taichung and with his personal trainer.
“I felt nervous waiting for a visa to come back to me,” Chang said. “There aren’t too many games, but I’ll be ready to go.”
Chang is likely to be in the lineup for Sunday’s game against the Twins at JetBlue Park.
“The idea is to get him as many at-bats as possible,” manager Alex Cora said.
Chang has experience at all four infield positions over his four seasons in the majors but has hit only .213 over 196 games. The Sox feel he can be a helpful player off the bench.
The alternative would be Bobby Dalbec, a first baseman who has played more innings at third base and shortstop in camp.
“The Red Sox stayed in touch with me,” Chang said. “I felt like they showed interest so I decided to come back.”
Jansen recovering
Kenley Jansen was back in the clubhouse and “feeling a little bit better” after leaving Friday night’s game because of dizziness.
“I was just out of it. It’s not smart to keep pitching in spring training games when you’re kind of blacking out,” he said before returning home to rest.
Cora said the plan is for Jansen to pitch on Sunday, which seems optimistic.
Jansen had issues with atrial fibrillation in 2011, 2012, 2018, and 2022. He had ablation procedures to address the issue following the ‘12 and ‘18 seasons.
This latest incident, Jansen said, was not related to his heart. He speculated it might have been dehydration on a hot night or some type of illness.
“There’s no concerns about the other stuff that happened in the past,” Cora said. Whitlock making progress
Garrett Whitlock pitched 3⅓ innings and threw 63 pitches to Connor Wong in a Double A game at Fenway South. He allowed three runs on four hits and struck out three with one walk.
Matt Wallner, a well-regarded Twins prospect, hit a two-run homer off Whitlock. They first faced each other in 2017 when Whitlock was at Alabama-Birmingham and Wallner played for Southern Miss.
“I’m stretching out and throwing all my pitches,” said Whitlock, who had hip surgery in September and was brought along cautiously at the beginning of camp. “It’s nice to feel like myself again. That’s just the biggest thing.”
Whitlock is scheduled to pitch five innings for Triple A Worcester in its home opener on Friday. The likely plan is for him to make two minor league starts before being activated off the injured list and going into the rotation. Paxton faces hitters
Lefthander James Paxton threw an inning of live batting practice. His next step will be pitching two innings in a minor league game on Wednesday, then building up from there. He will open the season on the injured list and could be ready by late April … Decisions are coming due on the three Red Sox righthanders selected in the Rule 5 Draft. Thaddeus Ward has pitched well for the Nationals and is likely to make the team. Noah Song has not pitched for the Phillies because of a back injury and will open the season on the injured list. Andrew Politi has impressed the Orioles and may have a spot with reliever Mychal Givens dealing with a knee injury. If a Rule 5 pick does not make the team or is taken off the roster during the season, he goes on waivers and if unclaimed must be offered back to his original team. In Song’s case, he would have to spend 90 days on the active roster.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 26, 2023 7:00:06 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 1h #RedSox today vs. #Twins: Verdugo RF, Devers 3B, Turner DH, Yoshida LF, Duvall CF, Casas 1B, Arroyo 2B, McGuire C, K. Hernández SS, and Sale LHP (1:05 NESN).
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