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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 17, 2024 9:27:26 GMT -5
Ian Browne @ianmbrowne Starting rotation coming more into focus. Winckowski informed he will go to the bullpen. It is now Houck, Whitlock and Criswell vying for the fourth and fifth spots. 10:58 AM · Mar 17, 2024
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 17, 2024 9:29:40 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe Timetable for Grissom being activated is now “mid-April.” 10:57 AM · Mar 17, 2024 ·
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 17, 2024 12:56:00 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe Kenley Jansen had a short bullpen today. Said he'll pitch against the Twins tomorrow. 1:17 PM · Mar 17, 2024 · 8,600 Views
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 17, 2024 19:03:30 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe Asked Tanner Houck if he had anything bad to say about Garrett Whitlock, a good friend he's competing with for a rotation spot. "He needs to cut his hair. He looks like a hippie." Said Whitlock looks like Tobey Maguire in Spider-Man when he became Venom.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 17, 2024 19:16:58 GMT -5
Winckowski heads to 'pen, cracking door open for Houck 7:00 PM ADT Ian Browne
Ian Browne @ianmbrowne
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- As the Red Sox push toward the final week of Spring Training, decisions are starting to be made.
Prior to Sunday’s split-squad contest against the Yankees, manager Alex Cora announced that righty Josh Winckowski was taken out of the rotation competition and moved to the bullpen for a multi-inning role.
“Extremely disappointed,” said Winckowski, who has a 4.76 ERA in four spring outings. “It was something I was looking forward to and excited for. I think at the end of the day, it's on me though. I obviously didn’t pitch well the other day. A couple of pitches have been not what they were last year. At the end, could have been better, should have been better.”
Winckowski’s disappointment created more of an opportunity for Tanner Houck, the starter in a 12-6 win over the Yankees at JetBlue Park, to make the rotation.
Instead of four pitchers vying for the fourth and fifth spots, the derby is down to three. Out of Houck, Garrett Whitlock and Cooper Criswell, only one will be left out of the rotation.
“I like my chances,” Houck said. “But at the same time, I know I’ve got to go out there and continue to compete and continue to push myself to get better each time. Let the cards fall as they do.”
It was mostly a good day Sunday for Houck. His first three innings were scoreless, but the lanky righty was lifted after 3 2/3 frames, throwing 76 pitches over that span. Two inherited runners scored after Houck exited. Houck walked one and struck out four, and his Grapefruit League ERA is 2.40 in five outings.
“Excellent,” said Cora. “That was good. He threw the ball well. He's been really good at throwing strikes this spring. This stuff is good. I think he understands what he needs to do to go deeper into the games. He’s in a great place. A much better place than last year at this time.”
While ideally, Houck would have pitched at least some of the fifth inning, Cora said he thought Boston’s nine-run first inning took some rhythm away from his pitcher.
“I mean, he was in the dugout for like an hour at one point,” Cora said. “It’s not easy to do. That inning took forever.”
Even though he won’t break camp as a starter, Winckowski still views himself as one.
“I think so. The Dominican game [on March 9 against the Rays], I used all my pitches. I was sitting 96-97, my cutter was 92-93. So yeah, I still think I can be a starter,” Winckowski said. “I think this year was one of the best chances I’ll ever get. So obviously, that's a little frustrating. Not oftentimes you have two-fifths of a rotation open. So [it's] definitely frustrating that I didn't take advantage of the opportunity, but I still see myself as a starter.”
Winckowski was one of Cora’s most reliable relievers last season. So having him in that role should be a benefit to the Red Sox.
“I do believe everybody here in the past and in the present, they see a starter,” Cora said of Winckowski. “I think at the end of the day with where we’re at right now, this is the best way.”
Then there is Houck, who has also dealt with fluidity in his role.
After spending the 2021 and ’22 seasons as a swingman, Houck was used exclusively in the rotation last season, going 6-10 with a 5.01 ERA in 21 starts. His ’23 season was interrupted in June when he suffered a facial fracture after being struck by a batted ball against the Yankees.
While there’s pressure on Houck to become more consistent and at last have a defined role, he doesn’t let it get to him.
Before Sunday’s start, he was playfully shooting hoops in the clubhouse.
“That’s just me,” said Houck. “[I’m] loose. Have fun. Go out and compete with the guys. Have fun each day. Go out there and do your job and get ready.”
Houck will have one more start in Spring Training on Saturday, meaning a final chance to cement his spot in Boston’s starting five. There’s also a chance Cora will define his role before that.
The 27-year-old Houck has some points of emphasis as camp reaches the final stretch.
“I’ve been battling my splitter a little bit. It was good early on in camp,” Houck said. “I think I’m just getting a little too wristy with it. The slider, I wanted to loose-wrist it, and because of that everything was just kind of backing up and spinning. Toward the end there, I really kind of death-gripped the ball a little bit more, and it was a lot better.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 17, 2024 19:22:25 GMT -5
Nick Yorke may be taking a back seat in spring training, but he’s learning what to do to make Red Sox continue to take notice By Julian McWilliams Globe Staff,Updated March 17, 2024, 1 hour ago 2
NORTH PORT, Fla.. — In the backdrop of all the chatter surrounding Ceddanne Rafaela and whether he will make the Red Sox’ Opening Day roster, Nick Yorke sits quietly. Behind the scenes surrounding Wilyer Abreu and the stakes that come with playing right field at Fenway Park, a premium and difficult position in Boston, Yorke is almost hidden in plain sight.
The 2020 first-round pick has a locker at the far end of the clubhouse at JetBlue Park. On the same side as Abreu and Rafaela, yet a bit farther down.
Still, that he’s here means something. The second baseman was a non-roster invitee to camp. He struck out in his only at-bat in Sunday’s 3-3 tie against the Braves at CoolToday Park.
“It’s been super cool,” said Yorke. “I was fortunate enough to know a couple of the guys coming into camp, too, so that made the transition a little easier. But just to be able to be around the guys and work out with them, play in games and watch them go through their stuff before games and stuff, it’s been really cool and eye-opening.”
Yorke opened some eyes during MLB’s Spring Breakout contest Saturday. He was one of the standout players, going 2 for 2 with an RBI and a double that banged off the center-field wall at JetBlue Park.
But Rafaela’s tape-measure homer and highlight-reel play in center — Yorke was on the receiving end of a throw from Rafaela to complete the double play — superseded Yorke’s performance.
Catching prospect Kyle Teel’s 2-for-2 day spurred more words than Yorke’s.
Marcelo Mayer, though some of his shine has worn off, took questions because of just one good play.
This is the reality of being a prospect, which is why it’s a slippery slope to give rankings or lists much credence. Down seasons or injuries can diminish a player’s status, at least publicly. Injuries hurt Yorke’s status two years ago. In 2023 however, he hit .268/.350/.435 with a .785 OPS and 13 homers for Double A Portland. Defense has always been a question, but Yorke enjoyed success last year, taking home Eastern League’s Defensive Player of the Year honors at his position.
“Nick continues to grow year in and year out. Coming off an injury-plagued 2022, he performed on both sides of the ball in 2023 in Portland,” said Brian Abraham, the Sox’ director of player development.
The injuries helped to shape Yorke. Like any young player, the 21-year-old didn’t have much of a routine when he signed on as a professional.
“The last couple of years were like travel ball to me,” said Yorke. “I kind of just showed up, did whatever workout the trainers told me to do, and go play the game.”
This is why spring training is so beneficial to younger players; Yorke has an up-close look at what the best do to prepare. He’s watched Trevor Story go through a full-body routine even before his workouts. He’s glanced at Triston Casas’s detailed routine, noticing he uses different drills and tools in the batting cage before he takes a real swing.
“I definitely need to work on building a routine that works for me and sticking to it throughout the year,” said Yorke.
Spring training ends next week. Yorke will be reassigned to one of the club’s minor-league affiliates. Though his name doesn’t have the buzz of, say, Roman Anthony or Teel, buzz is fleeting. Yorke and Mayer serve as examples.
In Yorke’s case, the most important realization is that the opportunity to perform healthily with a new perspective awaits.
“His continued focus on improving strength/athleticism, to improve his range in the field and ability to impact the baseball has paid dividends early in 2024,″ said Abraham. “We are excited to watch him continue to compete and excel at the upper levels.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 17, 2024 19:23:29 GMT -5
SPRING TRAINING REPORT Sunday’s spring training report: Red Sox beat Yankees, tie Braves in split-squad games By Peter Abraham Globe Staff,Updated March 17, 2024, 5:21 p.m.
SCORES: Red Sox (ss) 12, Yankees 6; Red Sox (ss) 3, Braves 3.
RECORD: 14-9-2.
BREAKDOWN: In Fort Myers, the Sox scored nine runs on eight hits and two Yankees errors in the first inning. Rafael Devers (2 for 4), Trevor Story (2 for 4), and Connor Wong homered in the inning, accounting for seven of the runs as the Sox sent 14 men to the plate. Tanner Houck worked into the fourth inning, allowing two runs. Jarren Duran was 2 for 4 with a triple and Ceddanne Rafaela 2 for 4 with a double.
In North Port, the Sox were 0 for 9 with runners in scoring position and settled for the tie. Bobby Dalbec was 2 for 4 with a homer, raising his OPS to .958. Brayan Bello allowed one run over five innings and struck out five.
NEXT: The Sox play the Twins at 1:05 p.m. on Monday at Hammond Stadium. Nick Pivetta will face Joe Ryan.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 17, 2024 19:25:10 GMT -5
RED SOX NOTEBOOK Crowded field for Red Sox starting rotation thins out with Josh Winckowski heading back to bullpen By Peter Abraham and Julian McWilliams Globe Staff,Updated March 17, 2024, 2 hours ago
FORT MYERS, Fla. — After working as as starter in spring training, righthander Josh Winckowski is headed back to the bullpen, Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Sunday.
That leaves Cooper Criswell, Tanner Houck, and Garrett Whitlock competing for two spots in the rotation.
Winckowski has allowed six earned runs over 11⅓ innings in four games and struck out only six. The plan is to use him for multiple innings out of the bullpen, essentially the same role he had last season.
“Certainly disappointed,” Winckowski said. “I think at the end of the day it’s on me, though. A couple of pitches have not been what they were last year. It could have been better, should have been better.”
Winckowski is scheduled for two innings on Tuesday against Tampa Bay then a three-inning stint before the regular season starts.
“This is the best way if everything goes accordingly, and I’m not saying he’ll be on the team or not,” Cora said. “That’s how it works in this business. But where we’re at right now, this is the best way to attack the season. The repertoire is real.”
That Cora did not guarantee Winckowski would have a spot on the roster to open the season was unexpected. Winckowski has options left and could open the season as a depth starter in Triple A.
“We still have decisions to make,” the manager said.
Winckowski had a 2.88 earned run average in 60 appearances last season. He still aspires to be a starter.
“This was one of the best chances I’ll ever get. So obviously that’s a little frustrating,” Winckowski said. “It’s unfortunate. Not often times you have two-fifths of the rotation open.”
Houck needed 76 pitches to get through 3⅔ innings in a 12-6 victory against the Yankees in the home half of a split-squad doubleheader Sunday. He allowed two runs on four hits with one walk and four strikeouts.
Houck’s biggest challenge was waiting out a long bottom of the first when the Sox scored nine runs and sent 14 batters to the plate.
“Luckily down here in Florida, 100-percent humidity and 90 degrees, it’s pretty easy to stay loose,” Houck said.
Houck has a 2.40 ERA in five games. He has one more start before the season.
Houck deflected a question about whether he deserves to be in the rotation.
“I’m trying not to think about it too much,” he said. “I like my chances.” Bello looks sharp
In North Port, Fla., Brayan Bello was on his “A” game for much of his outing against the Braves. He struck out five in five innings, yielding just a run on four hits, making it look easy at times against an Atlanta team that had the best offense in baseball last season.
Bello hadn’t pitched well until Sunday, giving up six runs in his three previous starts. Yet the spring is just a build up to the season. For Bello, who has proved himself to the point where the Sox honored him with a six-year extension, Sunday’s performance couldn’t have been any better with less than two weeks until the start of the season.
“I felt good,” said Bello after his outing through team translator Carlos Villoria-Benitez. “Everything was working well. All my pitches were working well.”
Bello relinquished a walk to Ronald Acuña Jr. to begin the first inning, but quickly induced three straight ground outs to end the threat.
He later struck out Acuña on a 3-2 fastball. Bello has had success against the Braves in the regular season.
“This kind of outing helps boost your confidence,” said Bello. “It helps push your confidence. I still have one more spring start to go before the regular season, but I’m ready to go.”
The Sox haven’t decided whether it will be Nick Pivetta or Bello to start on Opening Day. Bello’s next start will be Friday in Dunedin against Toronto. That lines him up for Game 1 with an extra day of rest. Grissom pushed back
Second baseman Vaughn Grissom, the player acquired from the Braves for Chris Sale, is not expected back from a groin strain any time soon.
“We’re talking mid April, probably late April,” Cora said.
There’s a chance Grissom could get into a game before camp breaks. But with other players needing to build up at-bats, that may not be possible.
Sale has started three games for the Braves in spring training, allowing five earned runs over 11⅔ innings and striking out 17. Rafaela ready
Ceddanne Rafaela, who has only played center field through 16 games, is likely to play shortstop or second base against the Twins on Monday. That’s another indication the 23-year-old will make the Opening Day roster as the Sox want him ready for occasional games on the infield … Tyler O’Neill (left calf) remains on target to play Tuesday. The hope is the time off will take care of what has been a nagging injury … Kenley Jansen is scheduled to pitch against the Twins, the team that scored three runs off him on Friday. Jansen had a brief bullpen session Monday and said afterward he was making progress … Chris Martin hasn’t pitched in a game but will throw live batting practice on Monday. He has time to get in enough work to be ready … The Sox are planning on making a large number of cuts on Monday. They have only seven days left in Florida and are off on Wednesday.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 18, 2024 8:43:22 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe Sox roster moves this morning.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 18, 2024 8:44:48 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe LHP Chris Murphy going for an MRI on his elbow today.
LHP Chris Murphy going for an MRI on his elbow today.
Cora mentioned Nick Yorke will be introduced to left field at some point to give him some versatility. He's been exclusively at 2B as a professional.
If Grissom, who's 23, is the second basemen moving forward, how Yorke fits will be interesting. Ultimately, perhaps in a trade. 10:34 AM · Mar 18, 2024 ·
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 18, 2024 8:45:49 GMT -5
Ian Browne @ianmbrowne Today at Twins: Duran CF, Yoshida LF, Cron DH, Casas 1B, Dalbec 3B, Abreu RF, Reyes SS, Valdez 2B, Wong C, Pivetta P 9:54 AM · Mar 18, 2024
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 18, 2024 10:42:54 GMT -5
Ian Browne @ianmbrowne Kenley scratched today with lower back tightness. He could pitch as soon as tomorrow. Club still expects he will be ready for Opening Day. 12:25 PM · Mar 18, 2024 ·
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 18, 2024 18:37:58 GMT -5
With Red Sox roster cuts, two catcher spots narrowed to three candidates
Updated: Mar. 18, 2024, 2:14 p.m.|Published: Mar. 18, 2024, 2:01 p.m.
By
Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Red Sox have optioned catcher Tyler Heineman to Triple-A Worcester. He was one of 10 players who Boston cut from its spring training roster Monday.
Four catchers remain in camp competing for two spots on the Opening Day roster. Connor Wong and Reese McGuire, who both are on the 40-man roster, have the edge. But Roberto Peréz, a two-time Gold Glover and non-roster invitee, also is in the mix. The Red Sox also have 28-year-old non-roster invitee Mark Kolozsvary still in camp but he’s expected to begin the season at Worcester. So it’s more like three candidates competing for two spots.
Peréz is able to opt out of his minor league contract with Boston to become a free agent Saturday if the Red Sox don’t add him to the 40-man roster. McGuire, meanwhile, has no minor league options remaining and so he must make the team or be designated for assignment.
The 32-year-old Heineman provides depth at Worcester in case a catcher on the big league roster were to get hurt during the season. Boston acquired Heineman (104 major league games) from the White Sox this past offseason. As mentioned, Boston also has Kolozsvary as a depth option. He has appeared in 11 major league games in his career.
“If something (an injury) happened, we’re very comfortable,” Cora said.
Cora liked what he saw from Heineman during camp.
“He’s a good defender,” Cora said. “Offensively, switch-hitter. He found a few things during camp with (hitting coach) Pete (Fatse) and the group that are gonna help him.”
Heineman went 5-for-13 (.385) with a .467 on-base percentage, four runs, one RBI, two walks and two strikeouts in eight Grapefruit League games.
“It’s a different group than in the past,” Cora said. “I don’t know if it was on purpose or not but our catching group has a different mindset. Kolo, Heiney, Peréz and obviously the two guys here. It’s just more in tune with what we have to do to prevent runs. That’s not a knock on Christian (Vázquez). ... It just seems like the communication has been a lot better this year. And that’s something I really like.”
Wong received the bulk of the starts at catcher last season. He caught 121 games, including making 105 starts. He seems like a lock to make the roster. He’s 12-for-28 (.429) with two homers and six doubles this spring after blasting a home run in the fourth inning of Monday’s game against Minnesota.
That leaves McGuire (no options) and Peréz (Saturday opt-out) competing for one spot.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 18, 2024 18:39:29 GMT -5
Red Sox ‘running out of time’ with Kenley Jansen, ‘needs’ to pitch Tuesday
Published: Mar. 18, 2024, 4:05 p.m.
2024 Boston Red Sox Spring Training
Kenley Jansen is expected to pitch Tuesday, manager Alex Cora said. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)Getty Images
By
Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
FORT MYERS, Fla. — Kenley Jansen was held out of the Red Sox’ spring training game against the Twins on Monday because of lower back tightness.
“He needs to pitch tomorrow. It needs to happen,” Cora said.
Opening Day in Seattle is 10 days away (March 28). Jansen has pitched in just one spring training game so far. So the clock is ticking but the Red Sox still expect him to be ready for the start of the season.
Cora said the plan is for Jansen to pitch Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday and Tuesday.
“We’re running out of time,” Cora said. “That’s the reality.”
Jansen didn’t make his Grapefruit League debut until last Friday because he was dealing with lat soreness that he felt soon after he reported to camp in mid-February. He allowed two homers to the first four batters he faced and recorded just two outs. He gave up three runs on three hits while recording just two outs.
“But I think both of them (Jansen and Chris Martin) know themselves,” Cora said. “They know what they need. And the hope is for them to be ready for Opening Day.”
Martin has yet to pitch in a spring training game. He experienced groin tightness March 9 but he felt strong after a live batting practice Saturday. Martin has said he needs just three or four outings to be ready.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 18, 2024 18:42:15 GMT -5
Decisions, decisions: Five things Red Sox have to determine this week
Published: Mar. 18, 2024, 2:50 p.m.
By
Sean McAdam | sean.mcadam@masslive.com
FORT MYERS, Fla. — The days dwindle down to a precious few. Any minute now, the equipment truck will roll into camp and be loaded for the return trip to Boston, yet another symbol of how close the start of the regular season is.
The Red Sox will pack up late Sunday afternoon and head for two barnstorming games in Texas next Monday and Tuesday, in the run-up to the March 28 opener in Seattle.
Before they go, however, they’ve got some unfinished business with their roster. Here are five calls that still have to be made:
1) Opening Day starter.
For some time, with previous choice Lucas Giolito sidelined for the season, this has been down to either Nick Pivetta or Brayan Bello.
Bello finished well Sunday, tossing five innings of one-run ball against a stacked Atlanta Braves lineup. Pivetta followed against the Minnesota Twins Monday and surrendered two runs on five hits over four-plus innings.
The choice is largely ceremonial. Do the Red Sox reward their longest-tenured starter in Pivetta, who’s assumed more of a leadership role this spring? Or do they tab Bello, whom they signed to a six-year, $55 million extension earlier this month, symbolic of the home-grown foundation the Red Sox are hoping to assemble?
2) Second base platoon.
With Vaughn Grissom (groin) out until at least mid-April, the Sox are job-sharing at second base for the first few weeks.
It’s widely assumed that Pablo Reyes and Enmanuel Valdez will be part of the platoon, though Alex Cora was careful to note the platoon will involved “whoever” is on the final roster.
The lone other potential candidate is David Hamilton, but the infielder, acquired in the Jackie Bradley trade, is just 5-for-37 (.135) this spring. Reyes is a roster lock because of his ability to back up all four infield spots and while Hamilton may be a better defender than Valdez, it’s hard to imagine him leapfrogging Valdez.
3) Fourth and fifth starters.
There are three candidates for two spots — someone from the trio of Tanner Houck, Garrett Whitlock and Cooper Criswell is going to be edged out.
It would appear that Houck is close to a lock. Defying his history as a poor spring training performer, Houck has pitched extremely well with an 0.867 WHIP and a 2.40 ERA over 14 innings. Importantly, he’s also cut his walk rate nearly in half.
That leaves Whitlock vs. Criswell, with the assumption being that the loser of the competition will head to the bullpen. Whitlock has looked stronger and more capable of getting deeper into games, the Sox could rationalize that they would prefer a more experienced hand in the bullpen to provide multi-inning relief stints.
Criswell has just two regular season major league starts to his credit, but has impressed the Sox this spring. The Sox liked him enough to make him just one of two major league free agent signings this past winter.
There also exists the possibility that Criswell could be optioned to Worcester, where he could remain stretched out to provide the Red Sox as a readily-available depth option.
4) Bullpen makeup.
Here’s where it gets interesting, with plenty of moving parts.
Assuming both Kenley Jansen (lower back) and Chris Martin (groin) continue to progress through their injury issues, they represent locks.
Josh Winckowski, having lost out in the competition for the rotation, is set as a multi-inning weapon. Isaiah Campbell, with a history of being able to get lefties out, looks secure for another high-leverage spot.
The Sox don’t have a lefty starter, so it would seem they would need at least one lefthander in relief. That would be Brennan Bernardino.
Justin Slaten is a Rule V pick who has opened eyes, and being that the Sox went through the trouble of working out a trade for him, it’s assumed that he makes it — for now at least.
Either Whitlock or Criswell would get them to seven relievers.
That leaves just one spot available. Among the candidates: Greg Weissert, Zack Kelly and Lucas Luetge. Kelly has been slowed by physical setbacks and won’t make his game debut until Friday, which would seem to be too late to claim a spot in time for the start of the season. Luetge, an NRI (a non-roster invitee), has been sharp — four hits allowed over eight innings with 10 strikeouts.
The best bet would be for the Sox to convince Luetge to not utilize an opt-out and start the year at Worcester. The choice between Luetge and Weissert is essentially a coin flip.
5) The final bench spot.
Let’s assume that Reese McGuire holds onto the backup catcher spot, and with Valdez getting the majority of playing time at second — by virtue of being lefthanded, facing righthanded pitching — Reyes becomes the primary utility man in the infield.
That leaves two spots unresolved.
At least one of those will be in the outfield. Wilyer Abreu, Jarren Duran, Masataka Yoshida and Tyler O’Neill are set. It appears increasingly likely that Ceddanne Rafaela will open with the big league club, too.
That allows the Sox to choose between either Bobby Dalbec or C.J. Cron as righthanded bat off the bench. Dalbec is a more versatile piece, able to play third and corner outfield in addition to first while Cron is limited to first. But Cron has a far better offensive track record (29 homers as recently as 2022) and that could carry the day.
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