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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 7, 2023 17:33:27 GMT -5
Jen McCaffrey @jcmccaffrey29m Story is still on pace to start a rehab assignment after the break. It might be a lengthier rehab assignment (instead of a week or so like Duvall) because they want to make sure he's fully ready to come back to play short. They're not considering DH anymore because of the roster
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 7, 2023 18:47:19 GMT -5
Sox load the bases up in the 7th and with one out, Chang singles in a few runs to get it going
2-0 Red Sox
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 7, 2023 18:48:11 GMT -5
wild pitch and a Duran single make it 3-0
Turner single 4-0
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 7, 2023 18:53:05 GMT -5
Devers into a forceout, Duran plates 5-0
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 8, 2023 4:33:38 GMT -5
Pivetta doing his best work from Boston bullpen Righty keeps running with relief role, logging 5 strong innings (8 K's) in win over A's 1:28 AM ADT Ian Browne
Ian Browne @ianmbrowne
BOSTON -- Call him a starter in the bullpen. Call him a bulk-inning reliever. Label it whatever you’d like.
Nick Pivetta is dominating in his new role, which started as a demotion when told on May 17 that he was out of the rotation after struggling mightily in eight starts (6.30 ERA, .885 opponents OPS).
Was Pivetta, who has always fancied himself as a starter, thrilled about the move? Absolutely not. Instead, it appears he has used it as a motivating factor.
Pivetta refined what he needed to refine and has turned into an impact pitcher for the Red Sox.
While earning the win for the Red Sox as they downed the Athletics, 7-3, on Friday night at Fenway Park, Pivetta stretched out to five innings and 76 pitches, both season highs since he moved to the ‘pen.
Pivetta gave up two earned runs (on a two-run homer by Seth Brown) but otherwise dazzled, walking one and striking out eight.
“The last one was 67 pitches, today was [76], and we like this, we like this structure,” manager Alex Cora said. “It gives you the liberty of bringing him in whenever you feel like it as far as the lineup.”
At a time when the Sox have just three traditional starting pitchers left in their injury-depleted rotation in James Paxton, Brayan Bello and Kutter Crawford, it is natural to wonder if Pivetta could be moved back to the starting rotation.
However, Cora all but put an end to that debate after Friday’s series opener.
“He’s not going to start,” Cora said.
Boston doesn’t want to tinker with Pivetta’s role given how well he is pitching.
In truth, the club values Pivetta’s ability to go five to seven innings every fifth day or so in a relief role, feeling it is basically equivalent to using him as a starter, but with the bonus of being able to dictate which part of the lineup he faces and when. Your browser does not support HTML5 video tag.
“If he starts and goes five, then same thing right?” Cora said. “So it really doesn’t matter. Maybe the stats or whatever, but at the end of the day, he’s getting his innings in and been dominating so I think the last thing we have to worry about is for him to become a starter.
“He’s going to get a lot of outs and he knows it. When? It’s just a matter of how the game dictates.”
Does Pivetta feel more like a starter on nights like Friday, when he goes five innings?
“I mean, I came out of the bullpen,” Pivetta said. “You know, it's a relief appearance to me. I went five innings, and it was good to get some length for us, especially after yesterday. I think that's what's most important is to put the team in a good position to win a baseball game.
“Guys came out swinging early and made it easy for the pitching staff as a whole.”
Does Cora have a ceiling on how far he will stretch Pivetta out as a reliever?
“If he goes out there and gives us six or seven, that’s great,” Cora said. “It really doesn’t matter. He’s a reliever now, but we know he can go deep into the games. It just happens he starts his game in the third inning.”
When Pivetta moved to the bullpen, it was hard to project how he would do, given that he really didn’t have any extensive relief experience other than 2019 with the Phillies.
“I think people were making a big deal like he was going to go out there and pout,” Cora said. “What’s he going to do, not pitch? If you want innings you’ve got to be better. I think he’s been able to attack, relax a little and it’s a different mindset and we like this version of Nick.” Get the latest from the Red Sox
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Pivetta has made the move look good, notching a 2.79 ERA while compiling 39 strikeouts in 29 innings and holding opponents to a .146 average and an OPS of .513.
“I mean, he's a dog,” outfielder Jarren Duran said. “I never doubted him for a second. He's been one of our guys from the start and I have complete confidence in him, and he's doing what we know he can do.”
Is there any reason Pivetta can pinpoint for his bullpen breakthrough?
“Nothing in particular. I think I'm just being me, staying in my mechanics, getting ahead of guys and then just utilizing my stuff in each individual count,” Pivetta said.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 8, 2023 4:35:39 GMT -5
Injuries & Moves: Chang returns; Ort lands on IL July 7th, 2023 ;
2 seconds remaining LATEST NEWS
July 7: Reinstated LHP James Paxton from paternity leave list; reinstated INF Yu Chang from 60-day IL Paxton, the American League Pitcher of the Month for June, returns in time to make his scheduled start on Saturday against the A's.
Chang, who had been on the IL with a left hamate fracture, played in 17 games before his injury, hitting three homers. He will be the team's primary shortstop until Trevor Story returns from the injured list in August.
July 7: RHP Kaleb Ort placed on 15-day IL (retroactive to July 5) with right elbow inflammation; INF David Hamilton optioned to Triple-A Worcester; LHP Ryan Sherriff designated for assignment Ort has posted a 6.26 ERA in 21 games (two starts) for Boston this season, and a 1.86 ERA in 10 games with Worcester.
Hamilton, acquired from the Brewers in a 2021 trade, appeared in 13 games with the Red Sox this season, stealing two bases.
Sherriff posted a 2.70 ERA in five games with Boston, most recently pitching in both games of the club's doubleheader against the Rays on June 3.
RHP Tanner Houck (facial fracture) Expected return: TBD The Red Sox got some good news on July 6, as doctors cleared Houck to start working out again. Manager Alex Cora said the righty is scheduled to start throwing again on July 11.
Houck suffered a facial fracture when he was hit by a batted ball in the fifth inning of his start against the Yankees on June 16. He is 3-6 with a 5.05 ERA in 13 starts this season.
"The good thing is he’s able to start doing his baseball stuff soon, and hopefully, we can get him sooner than later," Cora said. (Last updated: July 7)
C Reese McGuire (right oblique strain) Expected return: August McGuire was initially slow to recover from the injury he suffered taking a swing on June 21 against the Twins, but he resumed baseball activities on July 6. Oblique injuries generally take a minimum of two to three weeks to heal, but McGuire's will take longer.
McGuire's absence led the Sox to sign Jorge Alfaro to a Major League contract on July 6. (Last updated: July 7)
RHP Corey Kluber (right shoulder inflammation) Expected return: TBD Kluber is starting to make some progress from his shoulder injury. Manager Alex Cora said the veteran righty will throw a bullpen session on July 9 at Fenway Park. Kluber was placed on the injured list on June 21.
It has been a rough season for the 37-year-old Kluber, who complained of discomfort in his shoulder after getting hit hard in a relief appearance on June 20. (Last updated: July 7)
RHP John Schreiber (right teres major strain) Expected return: July 21-23 Schreiber, one of Boston's top setup men, could return in a couple of weeks. The righty started a Minor League rehab assignment on July 7 with Triple-A Worcester and he will pitch again on July 9. Schreiber will make multiple appearances in the Minors following the All-Star break.
Boston's current projection for Schreiber is for him to return when the Mets are in town from July 21-23. Schreiber has a 2.12 ERA in 18 appearances this season. (Last updated: July 7)
SS Trevor Story (right UCL surgery) Expected return: July or August Story faced John Schreiber in a live BP session on July 4. The next day, Story was flipping double plays with manager Alex Cora. There's a chance Story will start a Minor League rehab assignment immediately following the All-Star break.
At this point, the Red Sox plan on Story being ready to play shortstop as soon as he is activated. Originally, plans had been discussed for Story to come back first as a DH. However, Cora said on July 7 that wouldn't be a good fit for Boston's roster, given that they like Justin Turner and Masataka Yoshida to take the majority of at-bats at DH. (Last updated: July 7)
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 8, 2023 4:40:05 GMT -5
Red Sox win: Nick Pivetta strikes out 8 in relief as Boston beats Athletics
Updated: Jul. 08, 2023, 12:05 a.m.|Published: Jul. 07, 2023, 9:33 p.m.
By
Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com
BOSTON — Entering Friday, the Red Sox were just 7-11 against teams under .500. For at least one night, they turned their luck around against the worst team in baseball.
Boston plated five runs in the second inning and rode a strong relief performance from Nick Pivetta to a 7-3 victory over the Athletics at Fenway Park. The win, which was Boston’s sixth in its last seven games, improved the club’s record to 46-43.
After openers Brennan Bernardino and Sam Long traded scoreless first innings, the Red Sox jumped on A’s bulk reliever Juan Medina in the second. Boston loaded the bases with two singles and a walk before Yu Chang, in his first game since April 24, opened the scoring with a two-run single. Jarren Duran and Justin Turner followed with RBI singles of their own before Rafael Devers drove in a run on a groundout and made it 5-0.
Pivetta entered for the third inning and quickly started dominating Oakland’s weak lineup, retiring the first eight batters he faced (and striking out four of them). Oakland drew within four runs in the fifth when Seth Brown walked, then scored on a Devers throwing error. Two innings later, after Duran lost a Shea Langeliers fly ball down the left field line that was ruled a double, Seth Brown made it 5-3 with a two-run homer to right.
In total, Pivetta struck out eight batters in five innings. He allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits.
Boston piled on in the eighth when Duran hit a one-out triple, then scored on a two-out infield single by Adam Duvall that made it 6-3. Alex Verdugo followed with another hit to plate Devers, making it 7-3. Reliever Joe Jacques pitched two scoreless innings to close out the win, allowing two hits.
Boston is now 24-22 at Fenway this year.
Sox notch 10+ hits again
The Red Sox had double-digit hits for the sixth straight game with three players (Duran, Turner and Verdugo) knocking two apiece. Nine of the hits were singles; Duran’s triple in the seventh was the only extra-base hit.
It’s the first time since April 2021 since the Red Sox have had 10+ hits in six straight games. Boston was 5-for-9 with runners in scoring position; the offense is hitting .386 (17-for-44) in those situations over the last four games.
Duran, Turner stay hot
Duran (2-for-4, 2 R, 3B, RBI) continued a torrid stretch. He’s batting .410 (25-for-61) with 13 extra-base hits (10 2B, 2 3B, HR) and 7 RBI in his last 21 games.
Turner (2-for-4, RBI) extended his hitting streak to seven games and is hitting .360 in his last 25 games.
Paxton on hill Saturday
Fresh off of paternity leave, left-hander James Paxton (4-1, 2.70 ERA) will make his first start in more than a week Saturday afternoon opposite A’s righty Paul Blackburn (1-1, 4.50 ERA). First pitch is at 4:10 p.m. ET.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 8, 2023 4:51:02 GMT -5
RED SOX NOTEBOOK Yu Chang activated from 60-day injured list and excited for return to Red Sox lineup By Varun Shankar Globe Correspondent,Updated July 7, 2023, 7:15 p.m.
The Red Sox welcomed Yu Chang back to the active roster Friday from the 60-day injured list, optioning fellow infielder David Hamilton to Triple A Worcester as the corresponding move. Reliever Ryan Sherriff was designated for assignment to make room for Chang on the 40-man roster.
Chang was in the lineup for Friday night’s 7-3 win over the Athletics at Fenway Park, batting ninth and playing shortstop in his first game back. He will play one more time before the All-Star break begins following Sunday’s game and play regularly after the four days away, per manager Alex Cora.
“I feel so excited,” Chang said via translator Patrick Chu. “Obviously after two months [I’m] coming back to this field and it feels like [the first time] I got called up to the major leagues.”
The 27-year-old had been on the injured list after breaking the hamate bone in his left wrist April 24. The injury continued his up-and-down season — after starring in the World Baseball Classic for Taiwan, a visa issue made his late arrival to spring training an even later one.
Chang played just 17 games before the injury but established himself as a strong defender at shortstop.
“His arm plays at this level. Very good hands, good footwork,” Cora said.
Despite the limited playing time, Chang entered Friday’s game tied for 13th among major league shortstops with three outs above average, per Baseball Savant. He’s the only Red Sox shortstop who has been a positive for that stat, with Pablo Reyes at 0, Hamilton at -2, and Kiké Hernandez at -11.
Since making his major league debut in 2019 for Cleveland, Chang has never recorded an OPS over .693. He entered Friday at .515 for this season. Through 17 games, he was hitting just .136 (6 for 44) but with three homers and eight RBIs.
In his return, Chang went 1 for 4 — hitting a two-run single in his first at-bat before striking out in the next three — and kicked off the 6-4-3 double play that closed out the game.
“He’s a strong kid. When he connects it’s loud contact,” Cora said. “So just keep helping him refine his approach and hopefully good things happen.”
Chang entered Friday leading the team’s shortstops in Wins Above Replacement, per FanGraphs, even with that modest offensive production, a representation of how difficult it has been for the Sox to get production from the position without projected starter Trevor Story, who continues to rehab from offseason elbow surgery.
“[I’ll] just provide 100 percent of Yu Chang and just do whatever I can do,” Chang said. “I believe this can help the team.”
Story took ground balls at Fenway before the game and looked good, Cora said.
“We don’t want to rush him,” Cora said. “He’s a very dynamic guy that when he gets here, he’s a whole package. … There’s a reason we have spring training and he hasn’t played in a while, so we just got to be careful.” Who’s on second? Not Turner
While it previously looked like the Red Sox may try Justin Turner at second base to maximize the lineup’s offensive potential, those plans look to be on hold. Cora reiterated he didn’t feel comfortable putting the 38-year-old at the position regularly because of a potential injury risk.
“I think it’s more physically than anything else,” Cora said. “He’s been running a lot lately and to push him to play there would be hard, for me to put him there and all of sudden he pulls his hammy and then what [do] we do?”
Turner has been one of the team’s best hitters of late, posting a .354/.406/.604 slash line in 24 games entering Friday. He then added a pair of singles in the win.
If Turner plays first base instead of being used as the designated hitter, the move squeezes Triston Casas out of the lineup. However, it also allows Cora to use Masataka Yoshida, the seventh-worst defensive left fielder in the majors in outs above average, per Baseball Savant, as the DH.
Turner primarily played third base during his nine-year tenure with the Dodgers and hasn’t played 20 or more games at second since 2011 for the Mets. But when asked about his potential fit at the position, the veteran noted he was a utility player in his past and said would be willing to play second if needed.
“I think in my baseball life, I’ve played probably more games at second base than anywhere,” Turner said. “I still go out and take ground balls at second base all the time … if that’s something that we need to do to put the best lineup out there, then I’ll go out there and play my [rear end] off.” Paxton’s back to start
James Paxton was reinstated from the paternity list and will start Saturday against Oakland. Reliever Kaleb Ort was put on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation, retroactive to July 5 … John Schreiber (right teres major strain) faced three batters Friday for Triple A Worcester, recording two outs and allowing a walk. The reliever will make another rehab appearance Sunday … Catcher Reese McGuire (oblique) started to do baseball activities Thursday … A bullpen session for pitcher Corey Kluber (shoulder) was moved back to Sunday … Reliever Joely Rodriguez (shoulder) will be active at some point before the All-Star break, per Cora … Reyes (abdomen) went 2 for 4 with an RBI for Worcester. He will likely not be activated from the IL until after the All-Star break, Cora said … Oakland rookie outfielder Eusty Ruiz, who led the majors with 43 stolen bases, went on the 10-day IL with a shoulder injury and was replaced on the roster by Triple A call-up Cody Thomas.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 8, 2023 4:58:14 GMT -5
A's @ Red Sox Saturday, 8th July 2023 4pm @ Fenway
Blackburn 1-1/ 4.50
Paxton 4-1/ 2.70
Written by Mike Fink
The Oakland A's face the Boston Red Sox with both teams looking to improve on rough seasons. The A's have a 25-64 record and have the worst record in the American League West Division. The Red Sox have a 45-43 record and are playing above .500 ball but are in last place in the American League East Division. For the upcoming game, the A's will turn to Paul Blackburn as their starting pitcher who has called 10 runs in the last three starts while the Red Sox will turn to James Paxton, who has only allowed one run in the last two starts, to start the game.
A's hope Blackburn helps out awful lineup The A's are having a season to forget and will close out the first half of the season with one of the worst records in the American League. Paul Blackburn has struggled in recent starts but he has put together a strong season on the mound, allowing only 19 runs in 36 innings pitched while tossing 40 strikeouts. In addition, with a .364 expected opponent Slugging Percentage, a 31.5 Hard-Hit Rate, and a 3.59 expected ERA, opponents are making weak contact off the bat and struggling to drive in runs against Blackburn.
Blackburn has stepped up but the lineup is one of the worst in baseball, scoring only 3.60 runs per game. Ryan Noda is slashing .230/.383/.407 with 101 total bases while Brent Rooker is slashing .241/.336/.466 with 14 home runs and 116 total bases but the rest of the lineup has struggled. Only two batters have 10 home runs or more and only two batters have an OPS+ over 100 and opposing pitchers can eliminate the hapless lineup as a result.
Red Sox hope Paxton and potent lineup control game The Red Sox are having a promising season but in the best division in baseball, they are in last place and hope to leapfrog into the wild card race in the upcoming games. James Paxton will start the upcoming game and he is putting together a strong season, allowing only 16 runs in 50 innings pitched while striking out 61 batters. Moreover, with a .216 expected opponent Batting Average, a 31.1 Strikeout Percentage, and a 3.29 expected ERA, opponents are making minimal contact and struggling to drive in runs against Paxton this season.
Along with Paxton stepping up, the lineup has been great this year, scoring 4.89 runs per game. Masataka Yoshida is slashing .312/.380/.479 with 140 total bases while Jarren Duran is slashing .309/.358/.491 with 108 total bases but the rest of the lineup has stepped up as well. Justin Turner is slashing .285/.357/.461 with 13 home runs and 149 total bases while Rafael Devers and Alex Verdugo have added 26 home runs and 305 total bases to add power to the lineup, making the Red Sox tough to put away at the plate.
A's at Red Sox Saturday, at 4:10 PM EST Partly Cloudy It's expected to be 80° F with a 13% chance of precipitation and 9 MPH wind blowing right to left in Boston at 4:10 PM EST. Hourly Forecasts: Weather.com
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 8, 2023 11:18:50 GMT -5
Game 90: Athletics at Red Sox lineups and notesBy Amin Touri Globe Staff,Updated July 8, 2023, 49 minutes ago The Red Sox have responded to a five-game losing streak by winning six of their last seven at just the right time. James Paxton can keep that momentum going as he takes the ball against the Athletics on Saturday afternoon. The Canadian southpaw has impressed since returning from the injured list, and is fresh off his best performance of the season: 7 ⅔ shutout innings against the Blue Jays. Paul Blackburn is on the hill for the visitors. The righthander allowed five earned runs in five innings against the White Sox last time out. ATHLETICS (25-65): 1. Nick Allen (R) SS 2. Jordan Diaz (R) 2B 3. Ryan Noda (L) 1B 4. Brent Rooker (R) LF 5. Aledmys Diaz (R) 3B 6. JJ Bleday (L) CF 7. Shea Langeliers (R) C 8. Manny Pina (R) DH 9. Cody Thomas (L) RF Pitching: RHP Paul Blackburn (1-1, 4.50 ERA) RED SOX (46-43): 1. Jarren Duran (L) CF 2. Masataka Yoshida (L) LF 3. Justin Turner (R) DH 4. Rafael Devers (L) 3B 5. Alex Verdugo (L) RF 6. Triston Casas (L) 1B 7. Christian Arroyo (R) 2B 8. Connor Wong (R) C 9. Enrique Hernandez (R) SS Pitching: LHP James Paxton (4-1, 2.70 ERA) Time: 4:10 p.m. TV, radio: NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7 Athletics vs. Paxton: Aledmys Díaz 4-8, Tony Kemp 3-5, Jace Peterson 1-4 Red Sox vs. Blackburn: Rafael Devers 1-3, Jarren Duran 3-6, Kiké Hernández 1-3, Alex Verdugo 2-5 Stat of the day: Paxton has allowed two runs or fewer in seven of his nine starts. Notes: After a length offensive slump, the Sox lineup has racked up at least 10 hits in six consecutive games. Justin Turner is riding a seven-game hitting streak during which he has also recorded an RBI in each game ... Paxton is 4-0 across 10 career starts against the Athletics, but he has not faced them since 2018 as a member of the Seattle Mariners ...The A’s league-worst season has continued during a stretch of 15 losses in 21 games, which includes a 3-7 road mark in that span ... The A’s have allowed 843 hits, second only to the Colorado Rockies (864) ... Blackburn split his first two career starts against Boston last season, earning a June 16 win at Fenway Park. Song of the Day: John Lennon "Nobody Told Me" www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuuhsqA95iAhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuuhsqA95iA
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 8, 2023 13:02:32 GMT -5
Chris Cotillo @chriscotillo · 1h Red Sox activated Joely Rodríguez and optioned Justin Garza to AAA.
Tanner Houck is back in the clubhouse and feeling good. He’ll throw for the first time Tuesday.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 8, 2023 13:04:43 GMT -5
Red Sox Stats @redsoxstats · 2h In his last seven games, Justin Turner is 13 for 28, .464/.484/.714, .550 BABIP. It’s been a nice Arraez impression, looping balls over the infield and in front of the outfielders.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 8, 2023 14:39:38 GMT -5
Julian McWilliams @byjulianmack Paul Blackburn has been scratched for the A’s due to illness. Austin Pruitt takes his place.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 8, 2023 14:45:04 GMT -5
Alex Cora reveals Red Sox rotation coming out of All-Star break
Published: Jul. 08, 2023, 3:25 p.m.
By
Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com
BOSTON — Red Sox manager Alex Cora announced Saturday how he’ll set his starting rotation coming out of the All-Star break next weekend.
After four days off from Monday through Thursday while All-Star festivities take place in Seattle, the Sox will begin the second half of their season with three games against the Cubs at Wrigley Field. In order, Brayan Bello, James Paxton and Kutter Crawford will start against the Cubs.
Boston then will head to Oakland for a three-game set against the Athletics. Cora said the team will likely have two straight bullpen games to begin that series (Monday and Tuesday) before Bello pitches on regular rest in the series finale Wednesday afternoon. Nick Pivetta, who is being built up as a bulk reliever who can go multiple innings every five days, will likely see a significant role either Monday or Tuesday.
While the Red Sox appear comfortable with two bullpen games every five days, there’s at least a possibility the club could turn to Triple-A Worcester for a spot starter to temporarily fill in while Garrett Whitlock (bone bruise in elbow), Tanner Houck (facial fracture) and Chris Sale (stress fracture in scapula) work their way back from the injured list. Recent free agent signee Kyle Barraclough has pitched well in three starts for the WooSox, posting a 2.12 ERA and striking out 14 batters in 17 innings. Boston also recently signed former Padres starter Dinelson Lamet to a minor league deal and is working to tinker some things with him in Worcester. Lamet has not yet appeared in a game for Worcester.
Cora did not name a starter for Sunday, which is expected to be a bullpen game against the A’s.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 8, 2023 16:33:38 GMT -5
Paxton cruising thru 5 Bats showed up 7-1 Red Sox so far Have it on mute as the NESN crew are all on clown mode again
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