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Post by Kimmi on Apr 10, 2023 15:15:14 GMT -5
MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM @mlbnetworkradio · 55m "We're up for the challenge."
The @redsox head into Tampa Bay to face the 9-0 Rays for a four-game series starting tonight. Boston Manager @ac13alex gave his scouting report for the AL East leading Rays. The Rays are playing scary good baseball right now. They're not just winning, but they're beating their opponents quite handily. Sadly, I don't have a good feeling about this series.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 10, 2023 16:10:56 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 56m Duvall has a fracture. No timetable yet and they don’t know if surgery is needed. But obviously not back any time soon.
A distal radius fracture to be specific.
Hernández, Tapia and Refsynder will get time in center field. Dalbec and Chang will get time at SS. With all the lefties coming up no Duran for at least a week. But opportunity has knocked for him.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 10, 2023 16:45:04 GMT -5
Julian McWilliams @byjulianmack · 1h Duvall fractured wrist. Timetable unknown
Kiké Hernández will now move around the field and will resume playing some center, too.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 10, 2023 16:46:19 GMT -5
Ian Browne @ianmbrowne · 1h Adam Duvall has a distal radius fracture in his left wrist. No timetable yet as they gather more information but obviously a minimum of "weeks". Any fracture takes four to six weeks to heal.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 11, 2023 4:11:12 GMT -5
Duvall won’t need surgery for fractured wrist CF looking at possible six- to eight-week timeline for return to Red Sox April 10th, 2023 Ian Browne
Ian Browne @ianmbrowne
ST. PETERSBURG -- Adam Duvall, who stormed out of the gate as the hottest hitter on the Red Sox, will be lost for weeks and possibly months after suffering a distal radius fracture in his left wrist while attempting a diving catch in center field in Sunday’s 4-1 victory over the Tigers.
Duvall underwent X-rays at Comerica Park immediately following Sunday’s game and was evaluated by a hand specialist in Boston on Monday, after which the Red Sox released the initial diagnosis.
Following Monday night’s contest, a 1-0 loss to the 10-0 Rays in which the Red Sox missed Duvall’s big bat, manager Alex Cora revealed that the 34-year-old won’t need surgery.
“Just a fracture, that’s it,” said Cora. “No surgery. Just put a cast on it and let it heal, and he’ll be back whenever he’s ready.”
According to a source, by avoiding surgery, there’s a chance Duvall could be back in six to eight weeks. If a surgical procedure had been required, he could have been out for eight to 10 weeks, if not longer.
“It’s great,” said Cora. “We don’t want to go that [surgery] route, of course. I’m glad that this is the worst news for him. He’s going to be back at some point. We just have to be patient, and whenever he’s ready, he’s ready.”
Duvall’s 2022 season ended in July when he underwent surgery to repair a torn left tendon sheath. However, this appears to be a separate injury to a different part of the wrist.
“It’s on the other side [of the wrist],” said Cora. “For everything I hear with the procedure he had last year, nothing [related] happened.”
Perhaps because of struggles at the plate last season in addition to his injury, there was little fanfare when the Sox signed Duvall to a one-year, $7 million contract on Jan. 24.
Instantly, he created excitement this season. In eight games before the injury, Duvall put together a glittering line of .455/.514/1.030 with five doubles, four homers and 14 RBIs. In the second game of the season, he hammered a walk-off two-run homer over the Green Monster in a 9-8 win over the Orioles.
“It’s interesting because a few weeks ago not too many people thought [this injury] would be a blow, but obviously the guy is a good player,” said Cora. “We knew when we signed him he was going to be a good defender and he was going to put up good at-bats. He worked so hard on a few things with [hitting coach] Pete [Fatse] to drive the ball to left field. And now it's a big blow.”
The Red Sox can’t expect to replace Duvall with one player. But here is a look at how they will attempt to do so by committee:
Kiké will see more time in center For the past two seasons, Kiké Hernández was Boston’s primary center fielder. Following the departure of Xander Bogaerts and the right elbow injury to Trevor Story, Hernández opened 2023 at shortstop. While he again started at short on Monday night, Hernández is going to get some time back in center, the position Duvall had been playing.
“I already talked to Kiké, and versatility comes into play now,” said Cora.
As a right-handed hitter, Hernández is a player who can help replace Duvall’s production from that side of the plate if he can get hot. Hernández ripped 20 homers for Boston in 2021 and had an historic six-game run during that postseason. He went 0-for-3 with one walk and one strikeout in the series opener.
Dalbec gets another chance With the Sox set to face seven lefties in their next eight games, Bobby Dalbec (recalled from Triple-A Worcester to take Duvall’s roster spot) will get a chance to play. Cora indicated that Dalbec will get more time at the corners than at shortstop, a position he spent Spring Training getting acclimated to. Dalbec ripped 25 homers as a rookie in 2021 but couldn't find a groove last season, a big reason he started this year in the Minors. He hit a pinch-hit single in the eighth inning and finished Monday's game at first base.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 11, 2023 4:12:55 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 7h Rays are 24-13 against the Red Sox at the Trop the last four regular seasons with 10 consecutive wins. (43-25 overall).
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 11, 2023 4:13:21 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 7h Devers struck out looking three times tonight, all on fastballs.
He had never struck out looking three times in a game before.
Devers said he was expecting off-speed pitches on the two-strike counts, which is how the Rays had pitched him before.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 11, 2023 4:15:48 GMT -5
How will the Red Sox replace Adam Duvall? Alex Cora explains creative plan
Published: Apr. 10, 2023, 6:31 p.m.
By
Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- With infielders Trevor Story and Adalberto Mondesí both beginning the season on the 60-day injured list, the Red Sox came into the year a bit short up the middle. Monday’s news that center fielder (and red-hot hitter) Adam Duvall will miss a significant chunk of time with a broken left wrist only compounds the problem. It appears Boston will get creative to replace Duvall in the coming weeks.
In Duvall’s absence, the Red Sox won’t install an everyday center fielder. Instead, the club plans to mix and match up the middle on a daily basis. On some days, manager Alex Cora will construct his lineup with offense in mind. Other lineups will be made with a focus on defense. A group that includes Kiké Hernández, Rob Refsnyder, Raimel Tapia, Yu Chang and Bobby Dalbec will be put to the test.
Jarren Duran, a natural center fielder, could factor into the mix in the coming weeks but the Red Sox chose to promote the right-handed hitting Dalbec over him because they are expected to face seven left-handed starters in an eight-game span. Outside additions cannot be ruled out either. For now, though, the Red Sox are taking an all-hands-on-deck approach.
“With the way we’re going to do it now, we have to mix and match and try to maximize the whole roster,” Cora said.
The two most natural replacements for Duvall on the roster are backup outfielders Refsnyder (39 career games in center) and Tapia (77), as the team believes both players are capable of playing the position. But Hernández, who was the primary center fielder in each of the last two seasons before shifting to shortstop this year in the wake of Xander Bogaerts’ departure and Story’s injury, is also going to see some time in the outfield again. On those days, Cora said, the candidates to man shortstop include Chang and Dalbec, who was called up from Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday. Second baseman Christian Arroyo may also slide over to shortstop in a pinch, though it’s clear Chang — a plus defender who can play every infield position — is the preferred option at shortstop.
The lineup is likely to change on a daily basis.
“Chang is going to play some short. Bobby might play some short,” Cora said. “We’ll mix and match and see what we can do. Understanding we’ve got a lot of lefties coming up, Rob (Refsnyder) is going to be a big part of it. At the same time, we’ve got to take care of him because we cannot run him into the ground. It’s one of those where we’ll just manage what we have and manage the matchups we have and take advantage of them. There’s certain days we’re going to go for the offense. There’s certain days we’re going to play run prevention. It’s a daily thing for now.”
“(Hernández) played a lot of center field in spring training... He’ll be OK,” Cora added. “He has done it before. Just read the cards and go to a spot and be an athlete. It really doesn’t matter where he’s at. We need him to be an athlete. Whenever we need him in the outfield, we’ll use him. Now, it’s more about game situations. Probably, we’ll move him around. He might start the game at short and go to center field or the other way around.”
The lefty-mashing Refsnyder is starting Monday against southpaw Jalen Beeks and will see significant playing time in the coming days with the Red Sox set to face so many lefties. Cora emphasized the importance of making sure Refsnyder, who has never played more than 58 games in a season, doesn’t wear down. Tapia, who made the team as a non-roster invitee, will start against certain righties. He will also see more pinch-hitting opportunities with Duvall out.
“A good player that has done it before. He knows his role... Now, his bat off the bench is going to play a little bit more,” Cora said. “We weren’t hitting him for Adam. Now, we might hit him for a few guys in different spots. The days that Reese (McGuire) doesn’t start (at catcher), we may be a little more aggressive using him from the bench and try to move Connor (Wong) to get ready in other positions that, athletic-wise, he can do but he hasn’t practiced in a while.”
Dalbec was called up primarily because of how many lefties are on the upcoming schedule. A natural corner infielder, Dalbec played shortstop throughout spring training and is expected to see limited opportunities there behind Hernández and Chang. Dalbec said he has started getting reps in the outfield to prepare for that scenario, too.
“We did it in spring training,” Cora said. “He’s a good athlete. He can make all the routine plays. Has the arm to play (shortstop). If we need him there, we’ll play it.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 11, 2023 4:21:03 GMT -5
Red Sox battle Rays but fall short in pitcher’s duel; Tampa Bay remains undefeated with 1-0 win
Updated: Apr. 10, 2023, 9:37 p.m.|Published: Apr. 10, 2023, 8:48 p.m.
By
Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- For nearly eight innings Monday night at Tropicana Field, the Red Sox and Rays exchanged zeroes. In the end, though, the Rays were able to keep their most important zero — the one in the loss column.
Despite a great effort by starter Nick Pivetta (who allowed just three hits and recorded six strikeouts in five shutout innings), the Red Sox were unable to hand Tampa Bay its first loss of the season in the opener of a four-game set. Brandon Lowe’s solo homer off Chris Martin in the bottom of the eighth inning helped the Rays improve to 10-0 to start the year. The Red Sox fell back to .500 at 5-5.
Lowe’s shot was the only damage in a fast-paced game that included strong pitching performances from Pivetta, reliever Josh Winckowski and Rays lefties Jalen Beeks and Josh Fleming. Pivetta’s ERA fell to 0.90 through his first two starts of the season; he escaped jams with runners in scoring position in each of the first three innings.
Boston’s best scoring chance came in the eighth inning against lefty Colin Poche. After Poche walked Kiké Hernández to load the bases, he battled back to strike out Rafael Devers to end the inning, freezing him with a painted 93 mph fastball down and away. The Red Sox had just three hits on the night and they were all singles; the eighth inning rally was Boston’s only chance with a runner in scoring position.
Martin, who entered having thrown five scoreless innings in his first five games, had only allowed 29 homers in 256 major league innings entering Monday (one home run per nine innings). On the ninth pitch of the at-bat, Lowe took a 92 mph cutter into the right field seats to put the Rays ahead.
Boston went quietly in the ninth against righty Pete Fairbanks, who struck out Justin Turner before getting Masataka Yoshida and pinch hitter Raimel Tapia to ground out.
At two hours and six minutes, the game was Boston’s fastest of the season by 26 minutes. The Sox’ struggles at the Trop continued, as they have now lost 10 in a row in St. Petersburg. The Rays became the first team to start a year 10-0 since the 1987 Brewers.
Refsnyder makes nice sliding catch in center
The greatest threat against Pivetta came in the third, when Yandy Díaz singled with one out and Lowe walked to put two men on. Randy Arozarena hit a 99.1 mph liner into the left-center gap but Refsnyder tracked it down and made a difficult sliding catch on the warning track to preserve the scoreless tie.
Pivetta then got Wander Franco to end the inning.
Whitlock debut set for Tuesday
Right-hander Garrett Whitlock will come off the injured list Tuesday to pitch the second game of Boston’s four-game series with first pitch set for 6:40 p.m. ET. The Rays will counter with All-Star lefty Shane McClanahan, who is 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA so far this season.
The Red Sox will need to send someone down after the game to make room for Whitlock on the 26-man roster.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 11, 2023 4:23:14 GMT -5
Why Red Sox called up Bobby Dalbec — and not Jarren Duran — to replace Adam Duvall on roster
Published: Apr. 11, 2023, 12:16 a.m.
By
Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- With center fielder Adam Duvall hitting the injured list due to a broken left wrist Monday, the Red Sox suddenly find themselves short in the outfield. Instead of calling up an outfielder from Triple-A Worcester, though, they opted to call up infielder Bobby Dalbec instead of an outfielder to add to a group that includes Masataka Yoshida, Alex Verdugo, Rob Refsnyder and Raimel Tapia.
At first glance, Jarren Duran (a true center fielder with MLB experience) made a lot more sense than Dalbec to take Duvall’s spot. But a look at the schedule reveals why the Red Sox made the move they did. Starting Monday against the Rays, the Sox are in a stretch in which they project to face seven left-handed starters in eight games. The right-handed Dalbec fits as more of an offensive weapon than the left-handed hitting Duran; Refsnyder will see the bulk of the starts in center against lefties anyway.
“He’s a right-handed hitter and we can use him at first base, at third base,” Cora said about Dalbec. “Here in Tampa with this turf, maybe we can give Raffy (Devers) a day at third base use him that way.”
Dalbec is a natural corner infielder who can spell Triston Casas at first base and Rafael Devers at third base while also subbing in at shortstop if necessary. While Dalbec seems to be behind Kiké Hernández and Yu Chang on the depth chart at shortstop, he played there frequently in spring training and has grown comfortable there.
“I trust him (at shortstop),” Cora said. “We did it in spring training. He’s a good athlete. He can make all the routine plays. He has the arm to play it. So if we need him there, we’ll play him.”
As Dalbec looks to earn a spot in the majors, versatility will be key. He said he has also started taking reps in the outfield in case the Sox choose to employ him there.
“(Versatility) will help for sure,” Dalbec said. “I feel like I’m getting more and more comfortable at all positions. Starting to get some work in the outfield, too. Just getting reps out there. Everything is going good.”
Dalbec entered each of the last two seasons as the starting first baseman and was a key part of Boston’s playoff push down the stretch in 2021. Despite his tantalizing power and intriguing athleticism, he has been unable to stay consistent at the major league level, as evidenced by his career .232 average and .754 OPS in 273 games. With Triston Casas starting at first this season, Dalbec didn’t make the team out of spring training and began the year at Triple-A Worcester, where he spent part of last September. He hit .261 (6-for-23) with a homer and five RBIs in the first seven games of the WooSox’ season. As always, Dalbec is tinkering with his swing.
“Still a little bit of trial and error stuff but nothing crazy,” he said. “Just doing what I can. Using the big part of the field, timing, like I always say. Effort level, all that stuff. Definitely keeping more of a structured notebook to help give me structure in my brain.”
Dalbec — who is now wearing glasses on the field, in a change from the last two seasons — might not be with the Red Sox long. Duran is likely a better fit for the roster when the schedule evens out and the Sox face more right-handed starters. For now, though, Dalbec has a chance to impress after being disappointed to not make the team out of camp. A pinch-hit single in his first at-bat in Monday’s loss was a good start.
“He’s always ready,” Cora said. “Bobby’s one of those that, regardless of his situation, (he’s ready). I watched a doubleheader the other day and he came in as a pinch-hitter in the fifth inning in Buffalo and it was 35 degrees. He’s always ready to play. He’s excited, obviously, for the opportunity.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 11, 2023 4:25:08 GMT -5
Red Sox Stats @redsoxstats · 8h Red Sox batters finished tonight with a .121 expected batting average. Their lowest since August 12, 2021. 10 K, 20 balls in play, 5 hard hit, no barrels. Absolutely steamrolled by Tampa pitching.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 11, 2023 4:28:17 GMT -5
RED SOX NOTEBOOK Fractured wrist sidelines Red Sox center fielder Adam Duvall. Manager Alex Cora: ‘It’s a big blow.’ By Julian McWilliams Globe Staff,Updated April 10, 2023, 4:20 p.m.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Red Sox center fielder Adam Duvall fractured his left wrist Sunday in Detroit, the team announced Monday.
Duvall will not need surgery to repair a fractured distal radius bone. To fill Duvall’s roster spot, infielder Bobby Dalbec was recalled from Triple A Worcester.
In the ninth inning of a 4-1 win over the Tigers, Duvall raced in and slid for a shallow fly ball, which caught leather but popped out of his glove. Duvall’s wrist on his glove hand then dragged awkwardly through the grass.
Duvall was off to a scorching start in his first season with the Sox, batting .455/.514/1.030 with four homers, five doubles, and a triple in eight games, driving in 14 runs in that span.
While with the Braves last year, Duvall injured the same wrist late in July and had surgery to repair a torn tendon sheath. He was out for the remainder of the season.
“Obviously, the guy is a good player,” manager Alex Cora said before a 1-0 loss to the Rays. “We knew when we signed him he was going to be a good defender and he was going to put together a good at-bat. And he worked so hard on a few things with [hitting coach] Pete Fatse to drive the ball to left field.
“It’s a big blow. But at the same time, somebody has to step up.” Related: Abraham: How will the Red Sox reshuffle their lineup without center fielder Adam Duvall? It’s complicated.
Kiké Hernández remained at shortstop to start Monday night’s series opener against the Rays, but he will put his versatility to use and play some in center field, his best position, with Duvall out.
“He’s done it before,” Cora said of Hernández. “Just read the [scouting] cards and go to the spot and be an athlete. It really doesn’t matter where he’s at. We need him to be an athlete and whenever we need him in the outfield we’ll use him.”
Rob Refsnyder started in center field for the first of four games against the Rays, and Raimel Tapia will fill in as well there.
Dalbec will get some reps at shortstop in addition to Yu Chang. Cora noted the team has to make sure not to overuse Refsnyder and keep him healthy. Dalbec’s ready for anything
Dalbec, who has 233 games of major league experience at first base and 40 at third, said at the start of spring training that he would be ready for anything. He kept gloves for every position handy and bounced around from position to position, even getting some reps in the outfield during batting practice.
He carried that same mentality when he was optioned to Triple A, too, at the end of camp.
Dalbec doesn’t have much experience at shortstop, playing in just three games at the position during his big league career. Yet the Sox got him some games at short in exhibition play and he played two games there while with Worcester.
He believes he’s ready and is confident his versatility, which includes a pair of appearances at second base in the majors, will be a plus for the Sox.
“It’ll help for sure,” Dalbec said. “I feel like I’m getting more and more comfortable at all the positions.”
Cora has said since the start of spring training that he’s comfortable playing Dalbec at shortstop even though he hasn’t played the position on a consistent basis since high school. That’s still the case.
“He’s always ready,” Cora said. “Bobby’s one of those guys, regardless of his situation. I watched the doubleheader the other day [for Worcester] and he came in as a pinch hitter in the fifth inning in Buffalo and it was 35 degrees. So, he’s always ready to play and he’s excited for the opportunity.
“Disappointed that Adam is hurt but, like I said, somebody else has to step up and he was swinging the bat well down there the last few days.”
Dalbec hit .261/.357/.522 with an .879 OPS and a homer in 28 plate appearances for Worcester.
He had a pinch-hit single in the eighth inning Monday night and finished the game at first base. Big weekend plans
The Red Sox will commemorate the 10-year anniversary of the 2013 Boston Marathon with special ceremonies throughout the team’s four-game weekend series at Fenway Park against the Angels, beginning with events Friday and Saturday. Related: Ryan Dempster pitched for the Red Sox the day of the Boston Marathon bombing. 10 years later, he’s running the race.
The Sox will hand out 40,000 blue and yellow City Connect hats to Boston Public Schools students and staff on Friday. Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez is expected to be in attendance and will be joined by members of the 2013 World Series-winning team. On Saturday, members of the 2013 team will join city and state officials, first responders, hospital leaders, Boston Athletic Association leadership, and local running groups at the marathon finish line for the ringing of the bells and unveiling of a One Boston Day marker on Boylston Street at 2:30 p.m.
Also Saturday, the Sox will hold pregame ceremonies at Fenway commemorating One Boston Day and the 76th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier. Robinson’s No. 42 will be on the back of the home white jerseys. Injury updates
There were updates Monday for three injured players.
Infielder Adalberto Mondesi (knee) ran sprints, hit and took grounders on the field Monday. Joely Rodriguez (oblique strain) played catch up to 75 feet and fellow reliever Wyatt Mills (elbow inflammation) began throwing up to 60-65 feet.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 11, 2023 4:51:32 GMT -5
Red Sox @ Rays Tuesday, 11th April 2023 6:30pm @ The Trop
Whitlock
McClanahan 2-0/1.50
The Boston Red Sox (5-4) will be going for their second consecutive series win when they face the Tampa Bay Rays (9-0) in the second game of their four-game series on Tuesday night.
Garrett Whitlock will get the start for the Red Sox. He was 4-2 with a 3.45 ERA last season. Shane McClanahan, 2-0, 1.50 ERA, will get the start for the Rays.
Boston and Tampa Bay split their last 10 meetings.
**This preview was written before Monday’s game was played**
Red Sox Going For Fourth Win In Five Games The Red Sox are playing well at the moment and they’ve won three of their last four games. They will try to keep the momentum going with a win over the Rays, which will give them their fourth win in their last five games.
Boston is averaging 6.56 runs per game. Their .259 batting average is 12th in the league. Their .341 on base percentage is eighth, while their .473 slugging percentage is third.
Adam Duvall has been the big bat for the Red Sox. He leads the team with a .455 batting average, four home runs, and 14 RBI.
Boston’s pitching hasn’t been good, with the team giving up 5.22 runs per game. Opponents have a .259 batting average against the Red Sox, which is 20th in the league. Their 4.89 ERA is 21st, while their 1.46 WHIP is 23rd.
In his last start, Whitlock gave up six hits and four runs in four innings, but the Red Sox got a 6-5 win over Los Angeles. They will need a better effort from him if they want to win this game.
Adam Duvall (Fractured Wrist) has been ruled out indefinitely.
Rays Going For Fourth Consecutive Series Win The Rays have played well since the start of the season and they won their first three series. They will try to keep the momentum going with a win over the Red Sox, which will move them one game closer to another series win.
Tampa Bay is averaging 8.33 runs per game. Their .289 batting average is third in the league. Their .379 on base percentage is first, as is their .588 slugging percentage.
Randy Arozarena leads the Rays with a .371 batting average and 11 RBI, while Wander Franco leads the team with four home runs.
Tampa Bay’s pitching has been very good, with the team giving up two runs per game. Opponents have a .193 batting average against the Rays, which leads the league. Their 1.89 ERA also leads the league, as does their 0.94 WHIP.
In his last start, McClanahan gave up five hits and two runs in six innings, leading to a 7-2 win over Washington. They will need a similar effort from him if they want to get the win.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 11, 2023 8:53:53 GMT -5
Red Sox send down member of Opening Day rotation to make room for Garrett Whitlock
Published: Apr. 11, 2023, 8:37 a.m.
By
Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- With Garrett Whitlock set to come off the injured list and make his season debut Tuesday night against the Rays, the Red Sox have optioned righty starter Kutter Crawford to Triple-A Worcester, according to an industry source.
The move will clear a 26-man roster spot for Whitlock’s return. Whitlock will start opposite All-Star lefty Shane McClanahan on Tuesday night at 6:40 p.m. ET.
Crawford made Boston’s Opening Day rotation after a strong spring training and has already made two starts, compiling an 8.00 ERA (8 earned runs in 9 innings) while allowing 13 hits and recording 12 strikeouts. He settled down after a rough debut against the Pirates on April 3 to pitch well in Detroit on Sunday, helping guide the Sox to a 4-1 win by allowing a single run in five innings.
Crawford made 21 appearances (12 starts) in the majors a year ago and has a career 4-8 record and 6.11 ERA in 88 ⅓ major league innings. He was arguably Boston’s best starter during a stretch last summer. With the rotation ravaged by injuries, the righty posted a 2.38 ERA in a six-outing span from July 4 to Aug. 2, holding opponents to nine runs and 27 hits over 34 innings. He tailed off late in the season before ending the year on the injured list with a shoulder impingement.
The Red Sox could have optioned or designated a reliever (Ryan Brasier and Kaleb Ort are two options) and shifted Crawford to the bullpen but it appears they want to keep Crawford stretched out as a starter at Triple-A Worcester. The rotation mix is about to get crowded, further pushing the 27-year-old down the depth chart. Whitlock will join Chris Sale, Corey Kluber, Nick Pivetta and Tanner Houck in the starting five Tuesday. Righty Brayan Bello (elbow) and lefty James Paxton (hip) are close to returning from the IL, too, potentially pushing Houck to the bullpen. Crawford will continue to be a depth option at Triple-A.
Reliever Josh Winckowski, who has been lights out to start the season, will remain on the team in a long relief role. The 24-year-old has allowed just one run in nine innings (1.00 ERA) while striking out eight batters in five games.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 11, 2023 13:17:34 GMT -5
Red Sox Stats @redsoxstats · 2h Super early, but a good chunk of the bullpen is struggling to get swing and misses. Schreiber, Brasier, Ort, and especially Martin are down big from their marks last year.
Martin had Lowe 0-2 and gave up the HR on pitch 10 of the at-bat last night.
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