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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 18, 2024 18:43:47 GMT -5
Connor Wong’s 2023 Red Sox season took him to places he’d ‘never been’
Updated: Mar. 18, 2024, 5:08 p.m.|Published: Mar. 18, 2024, 5:04 p.m.
By
Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
FORT MYERS, Fla. — Red Sox catcher Connor Wong’s priority heading into this past offseason was to eliminate some of the extra movements in his swing.
“So that toe tap is gone,” Wong said. “It’s a lot to maintain throughout the year, especially my first year trying to manage the staff. And there’s just a whole lot going on for me. So maintaining that was very difficult — the timing of it. So I just took out a lot of the movement and just making sure I’m ready to go early.”
The adjustments have shown during spring training. Wong went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run Monday in the Red Sox’s 5-2 loss to the Twins at Hammond Stadium. In 12 Grapefruit League games, Wong is 13-for-30 (.433) with a .469 on-base percentage, .833 slugging percentage, two homers, six doubles, seven runs, eight RBIs, one walk and six strikeouts.
Wong, seemingly a lock to make the Opening Day roster, had a heavy workload for a rookie catcher last year. He caught 121 games, including making 105 starts.
“I definitely (went) to places I had never been before with my body,” Wong said. “It kind of affects you mentally and you’re tired. But you’ve just gotta find a way to get through it. So I think having the workload and being in that place last year could benefit me this year if I get up there in games played.”
He has tried to simplify things offensively.
“I’m definitely shorter to the baseball right now with the swing,” Wong said. “And I think the thoughts are more simple. I’m trying to eliminate some of the swing and miss — and swing at better pitches overall.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 18, 2024 18:53:32 GMT -5
Wong's offseason work results in powerful spring swing 5:48 PM ADT Ian Browne
Ian Browne @ianmbrowne
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The golden rule of baseball is not to make too much of anyone’s Spring Training statistics, good or bad.
That said, Connor Wong's red-hot spring, which continued in Monday afternoon’s 5-2 loss to the Twins with his second two-run homer in as many days, could be a sign that the offensive adjustments he made in the offseason will make him into a better all-around player.
Already, Wong is considered one of the best defensive catchers in the game. But adding some offense could make a difference for the Red Sox.
“He’s made adjustments,” manager Alex Cora said. “It started towards the end of the [2023] season. And in the offseason, [hitting coach] Pete [Fatse] came down here to Fort Myers. They started cleaning up a few things with the leg kick and all that.
"I think he’s in a good spot. He’s hitting the ball hard. There’s more conviction behind the swing. If that happens, then we go from a decent offensive team to a really good one.”
Through 30 spring at-bats, Wong is slashing .433/.469/.833 with six doubles, two homers and eight RBIs.
“Yeah, definitely shorter to the baseball right now with the swing, and I think the dots are more simple,” Wong said. “Trying to eliminate some of the swing-and-miss and swing at better pitches overall.”
In his first full season in the Majors last season, Wong had a line of .235/.288/.385 with nine homers, 36 RBIs and 134 strikeouts in 403 plate appearances.
• This carpenter is throwing 99 mph in Red Sox camp
Wong went into some detail on the simplification he’s done in trying to become a better hitter.
“It was eliminating some of the movement,” Wong said. “The toe tap is gone. It was a lot to maintain throughout the year, especially my first year trying to manage the staff. There's just a whole lot going on for me so maintaining that was very difficult, the timing of it.
"I just took out a lot of movement and making sure I'm ready to go early.”
However, Wong’s top priority remains what he does on the defensive side. And that will be the case for any catcher who is coached by Jason Varitek, Boston’s tireless catching instructor and former captain.
“To be honest, I want my pitchers to like throwing into me,” Wong said. “I want to take care of those guys. Obviously, I'm making the adjustments to be better offensively. But I think if there's guys that really want to throw to me, that's the most important, but the offense sure does help.”
At the team’s Winter Weekend event in January, Wong also mentioned that he needed to brush up on some things defensively, particularly in regard to blocking pitches.
How does he think he has he done so far?
“I think some of the moves I've been making so far have been good,” Wong said. “I think they've gotten better throughout camp and I’m just going to continue to work on those, and try and refine those as best I can.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 18, 2024 18:59:36 GMT -5
Back tightness keeps Kenley Jansen from making his scheduled appearance By Alex Speier Globe Staff,Updated March 18, 2024, 2:37 p.m.
FORT MYERS, Fla. — Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen, who’d been scheduled to make his second Grapefruit League appearance of the spring Monday, was instead scratched prior to the contest against the Twins. The team said the decision was due to lower back tightness.
Jansen is now scheduled to pitch iTuesday. The Red Sox have outlined a schedule for the 36-year-old righthander to get four appearances — Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday in Fort Myers, then next Tuesday in Texas — in preparation for Opening Day March 28. But if there are any further setbacks, he’d likely have to open the year on the injured list.
“He needs to pitch tomorrow for this to happen,” said manager Alex Cora. “We’re running out of time. That’s the reality.”
Jansen, who was the team’s only All-Star last year, has had a challenging buildup to the start of the season. He experienced lat soreness shortly before arriving in spring training in February, leaving him a couple weeks behind most of the pitchers on the staff.
Jansen made his first appearance Friday, allowing three runs on three hits (two homers) while recording two outs. While he’d hoped to pitch with two days’ rest Monday, he has felt sluggish since that outing.
“This is the first time I’m dealing with a lot of stuff, and I’m asking myself why,” said Jansen. “I’m having a healthy career so far. This year, spring training is not fun for me, because every day something’s hurting.”
Meanwhile, righthander Chris Martin, who has yet to pitch in a spring game, is scheduled to throw in a minor league game Tuesday. He believes he’ll be ready for Opening Day.
“As of right now, I’m in a better place than I was last year,” Martin said, referencing the fact that he made the 2023 Opening Day roster but quickly landed on the injured list with shoulder fatigue. “Last year, I was fighting release [point] and certain things just because my body wasn’t really there.”
Yorke is sent down
With one week left before they break camp, the Sox cut 10 players from the major league roster Monday. Among the most notable: Second baseman Nick Yorke, a 2020 first-rounder who was rated by Baseball America as the No. 8 prospect in the system; he was reassigned to minor league camp, while lefties Cam Booser and Jorge Benitez — both of whom had strong spring performances — were likewise reassigned.
Cora praised Yorke’s defense but said his lack of versatility limited his playing opportunities. Meanwhile, though Yorke is considered a bat-first second baseman, he struggled in Grapefruit League games, going 2 for 22 with a .091/.231/.091 line.
“He didn’t do much offensively,” said Cora. “He played great at second base. The times that he was on the bases, good instincts, but the offensive side of it, that was his ticket when he got drafted. He’s going to be an offensive middle infielder. We’ve got to get back to that.
“I think now, slow things down, get your work.”
The Sox will use the rest of spring training to determine whether Yorke will open the year back in Double A Portland, where he spent all of 2023, or with Triple A Worcester. Cora said Yorke will get time in left field this season in hopes of opening multiple pathways to the big leagues.
Booser, 31, had a 2.25 ERA with eight strikeouts and no walks in eight innings. The hard-throwing lefty has a high-90s fastball and landed his breaking ball for strikes with sufficient frequency to position himself as a depth lefty.
Benitez, 24, had a 2.35 ERA, 14 strikeouts, and 5 walks in 7⅔ innings. Cora believes his diverse pitch mix gives him a chance to contribute in the big leagues as a multi-innings reliever.
The need for a multi-inning lefthanded bullpen option has seemingly increased, as Chris Murphy has been experiencing discomfort in the region of his left elbow and will undergo an MRI.
“He wasn’t able to bounce back, and he’s a little bit concerned with the elbow,” said Cora. “We are, too. So we’ll take a look at it.”
The Sox also optioned 40-man members Tyler Heineman, a catcher, and lefty Joe Jacques to Triple A, and reassigned nonroster righthanders Justin Hagenman and Chase Shugart, infielders Nick Sogard and Jamie Westbrook, and infielder/outfielder Dalton Guthrie to minor league camp. There are currently 42 players in big league camp. Second thoughts
Cora said the Sox will open the season with a platoon at second base, with the lefthanded-hitting Enmanuel Valdez and righthander Pablo Reyes seemingly the leading candidates for the role. … While he now appears to have an inside track on the Opening Day center field job, Ceddanne Rafaela made his first appearance of the spring as an infielder, entering against the Twins as a defensive replacement at second base. … Tyler O’Neill (calf) is expected to DH for three innings Tuesday, his first game action since March 14. … Righthander Zack Kelly (oblique) is slated to throw his first game since March 2 on Friday.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 18, 2024 19:01:28 GMT -5
SPRING TRAINING REPORT Monday’s spring training report: Another solid start for Nick Pivetta By Alex Speier Globe Staff,Updated March 18, 2024, 4:04 p.m.
SCORE: Twins 5, Red Sox 2
RECORD: 14-10-2
BREAKDOWN: In his penultimate spring start, Nick Pivetta built his workload to 79 pitches while working into the fifth inning, allowing two runs while striking out five and walking one. He threw 75 percent of his pitches for strikes, and now has 13 strikeouts and three walks over 12 innings. Though the Twins erupted for three runs against reliever Brendan Cellucci, bullpen candidates Greg Weissert and Isaiah Campbell looked sharp in scoreless innings of work. On an otherwise quiet day for the offense against Joe Ryan, catcher Connor Wong had a pair of hits, including a wind-aided two-run homer.
NEXT: On Tuesday, the Red Sox will host the Rays in a 1:05 p.m. game at JetBlue Park. Kutter Crawford will start against Tampa Bay lefty Tyler Alexander. The game will be on NESN.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 18, 2024 19:03:54 GMT -5
RED SOX NOTEBOOK Red Sox reassign second baseman Nick Yorke and nine others as Opening Day approaches By Alex Speier Globe Staff,Updated March 18, 2024, 10:33 am
FORT MYERS, Fla. — With just one week left before they break camp in Florida, the Red Sox cut 10 players from the major league roster Monday.
Among the most notable: Second baseman Nick Yorke, a 2020 first-rounder who was rated by Baseball America as the No. 8 prospect in the system; he was reassigned to minor league camp. Lefthanded pitchers Cam Booser and Jorge Benitez — both of whom had strong spring training performances — also were reassigned.
Manager Alex Cora praised Yorke’s defense at second base this spring, but said his lack of versatility limited his playing opportunities. Though Yorke is considered a bat-first second baseman, he struggled in Grapefruit League games, going 2 for 22 with a .091/.231/.901 line.
“He didn’t do much offensively,” said Cora. “He played great at second base. The times that he was on the bases, good instincts, but the offensive side of it, that was his ticket when he got drafted. He’s going to be an offensive middle infielder. We’ve got to get back to that.
“I think now, slow things down, get your work. Get his at-bats and get back to the hitter that … the organization envisioned when they drafted him in ‘20.”
The Sox will use the rest of spring training to determine whether Yorke will open the year back in Double A Portland — where he spent all of 2023 — or with Triple A Worcester. Cora said Yorke also will get time in left field this season in hopes of opening pathways for him to the big leagues.
Booser, 31, had a 2.25 ERA with eight strikeouts and no walks in eight innings this spring. The hard-throwing lefty has a high-90s fastball and landed his breaking ball for strikes with sufficient frequency to position himself as a depth lefty.
Benitez, 24, had a 2.35 ERA, 14 strikeouts, and five walks in 7⅔ innings spanning seven appearances. Cora believes Benitez’s diverse pitch mix gives him a chance to contribute in the big leagues as a multi-innings reliever.
The need for a multi-innings lefthanded bullpen option has increased, as southpaw Chris Murphy — who contributed in that role last year — has been experiencing discomfort near his left elbow. He will undergo an MRI in Florida.
“He wasn’t able to bounce back, and he’s a little bit concerned with the elbow,” said Cora. “We are, too. So we’ll take a look at it.”
The Sox also optioned 40-man members Tyler Heineman, a catcher, and lefty Joe Jacques to Triple A, and reassigned non-roster righthanders Justin Hagenman and Chase Shugart, infielders Nick Sogard and Jamie Westbrook, and infielder/outfielder Dalton Guthrie to minor league camp. There are now 42 players in big league camp.
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Post by scrappyunderdog on Mar 18, 2024 21:36:06 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 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. 4) Bullpen makeup. 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. 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. 3-I'd put Whitlock in the BP for two reasons. First, I think he'll be real good there. Second, if Whitlock starts and Criswell relieves, if you have to demote Whitlock to the BP, that would be a real b low. If Criswell scuffles, then sending him down to AAA is no big deal, and it makes Whitlock look like he is taking over. 4-I see no reason why Weissert shouldn't be in the BP. Luetge has looked good, and he is a lefty, but tiny part of me would like to see Weissert do well against the NYY. 5-Probably Dalbec. More flexibility, and while he is less-than-likely to hit, it is not impossible to see him hit very well.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 19, 2024 9:14:54 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe Sox will open up with Bello then Pivetta. Likely Crawford in Game 3.
Jansen not pitching today. Back is still right. He’s up against the clock. 10:35 AM · Mar 19, 2024 · 5,252 Views
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 19, 2024 12:56:40 GMT -5
As Red Sox make roster decisions, opt outs loom for four veterans in camp
Published: Mar. 19, 2024, 9:14 a.m.
By
Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com
As the Red Sox put the finishing touches on their Opening Day roster ahead of next week’s season opener in Seattle, they’ll have to account for the fact that some veterans fighting for spots in camp have the ability to leave and re-test free agency later this week.
Three veterans in camp — first baseman C.J. Cron, catcher Roberto Pérez and lefty reliever Joely Rodríguez — will all have the ability to opt out of their contracts Friday because of the type of free agents they are, multiple sources confirmed this week. As article XX(B) free agents (players who have at least six years of MLB service time and finished the previous season on a club’s 40-man roster or 60-day injured list) who signed non-roster deals, that is their right. The Red Sox, therefore, must decide by Friday whether or not they plan to carry those players on the 26-man roster to start the year.
As MLB rules stipulate: “If the club does not agree in writing to add the player to its Opening Day 26-man roster or MLB injured list, it must either grant the player his immediate unconditional release or agree to pay the player a retention bonus of $100,000 (to be paid on or before April 15 of the upcoming season). Players paid the retention bonus can request to be granted their unconditional release on June 1 if they are not added to the 26-man roster or MLB injured list by then. This request must be submitted in writing no later than 2 p.m. ET on May 28.”
Cron, Pérez and Rodríguez aren’t the only veterans who can leave. According to a baseball source, lefty Lucas Luetge has an upward mobility opt-out clause in his contract that kicks in next week. That clause, which differs from a standard opt-out, would allow Luetge to secure a major league opportunity elsewhere if the Red Sox are not willing to give him one. If he is not added to Boston’s 40-man roster by a certain date, he may request that he become available to all other clubs in hopes that one of them has a major league spot for him. If there is interest, the Red Sox must either add Luetge to their 40-man roster or allow him to go to another club within 72 hours of his request. If no other clubs have interest in adding Luetge to their major league rosters, the Red Sox can keep him as a non-40-man player at Triple-A. It’s unclear if any of the other non-roster invitees still in camp (catcher Mark Kolozsvary, outfielder Mark Contreras and utility man Eddy Alvarez) can opt out for opportunities elsewhere.
All four players have at least an outside shot at making the team. Cron, who signed in early March, is battling Bobby Dalbec for the backup first base job behind Triston Casas and is 2-for-11 in five games so far. Dalbec, who offers more positional flexibility than Cron, who is exclusively a first baseman, can be optioned to Triple-A freely, allowing the Sox to potentially keep both players in the organization.
Pérez, a two-time Gold Glover, has a small shot at beating out Reese McGuire for the backup gig behind Connor Wong but is more likely ticketed for the WooSox if he doesn’t retest free agency. After being limited by injuries to just 70 games over the last three years, the 35-year-old may face a limited market of teams looking to add him to their major league rosters.
Both Luetge and Rodríguez have extensive major league experience and are in the mix as manager Alex Cora looks to finish off his bullpen. It’s unclear if the Red Sox plan to carry one or two lefty relievers to start the season; they will not have any southpaws in the starting rotation. Rodríguez, Luetge, Brennan Bernardino and Chris Murphy (who underwent an MRI on his elbow Monday) are the only four lefty pitchers remaining in camp.
The opt-out market may also serve as an avenue for the Red Sox to make an external addition as they head west. Industry sources have indicated that Boston could be active in scouring the market for players that opt out elsewhere, with a special focus being placed on right-handed hitting outfielders in the wake of Rob Refsnyder’s toe injury.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 19, 2024 12:58:24 GMT -5
Red Sox injuries: ‘Frustrated’ Kenley Jansen held out again Tuesday
Updated: Mar. 19, 2024, 12:44 p.m.|Published: Mar. 19, 2024, 12:18 p.m.
By
Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Red Sox held Kenley Jansen out of his Grapefruit League outing Monday because of lower back tightness. He was expected to pitch Tuesday but he again is being held out. The hope is he will pitch Wednesday.
“He still has a tight back so we’ll shoot for tomorrow,” manager Alex Cora said at JetBlue Park on Tuesday.
If he’s ready to go Wednesday, Jansen would pitch in a minor league game. The big league team has the day off.
“We’re running out of time,” Cora said. “He knows it. He’s frustrated. He got here early, working with the doctors. He’s very honest about it. He’s like, ‘I can grind through it but what good does it (do)?’”
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. He gave up three runs on three hits while recording just two outs.
“We knew he was behind when he got here as far as like his arm,” Cora said. “ And to push him out there with this situation and grind through 15 pitches, it doesn’t make sense. So we’ll be ready for tomorrow. And if it doesn’t happen tomorrow, we’ll shift to the next day. Then from there we do the math. If he’s ready for Opening Day, he’s ready for Opening Day. If he’s not, it’s just hopefully a handful of days.”
Cora said Monday that the plan was for Jansen to pitch Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday and next Tuesday. A new schedule will be mapped out if he pitches Wednesday.
~ Chris Martin, who experienced groin tightness March 9, will throw in a minor league game Tuesday. He threw a live BP on Saturday.
~ Tyler O’Neill (left calf tightness) will be the DH on Tuesday. He was scratched from Friday’s game.
~ Zack Kelly (oblique) will throw a live BP on Tuesday. If all goes well, he could pitch in a game Friday.
~ As reported earlier, Chris Murphy has damage to his elbow ligament.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 19, 2024 12:59:33 GMT -5
Chris Cotillo @chriscotillo After initial imaging, the fear is that Red Sox left-hander Chris Murphy has a high grade tear in an elbow ligament, per source. More testing to come, but ominous. 1:47 PM · Mar 19, 2024 ·
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 19, 2024 14:13:51 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe Strong outing for Kutter Crawford: 5.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 6 K, 68/50.
Hell get one more in spring training then likely start the third game in Seattle. 3:25 PM · Mar 19, 2024 ·
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 19, 2024 19:34:18 GMT -5
Injuries & Moves: Waiting game on Kenley; UCL damage for Murphy 4:53 PM ADT
MLB.com LATEST NEWS
March 19: RHP Kenley Jansen scratched (lower back tightness) For the second day in a row, Boston's veteran closer was supposed to make his second outing of Spring Training but couldn't due to lower back tightness. Jansen will get treatment on Wednesday's off-day, and he will try to pitch Thursday night against the Orioles. If he isn't able to go, Jansen might have to start the season on the injured list. Before his back flared up, Jansen had been slowed in camp by a right lat injury. His stated goal is to pitch in five games before the season starts.
"We’re running out of time," said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. "He knows it. He’s frustrated. He got here early, working with the doctors. We know he was behind when he got here as far as his arm. To push him out there with this situation and grind through 15 pitches, it doesn't make sense. We'll be ready for tomorrow, and if it doesn't happen tomorrow, we'll shoot for the next day. Then from there, we do the math. If he's ready for Opening Day, he's ready for Opening Day. If he’s not, it’s hopefully a handful of days [after that]."
March 19: LHP Chris Murphy (left elbow) undergoes MRI exam Murphy underwent an MRI on his ailing elbow on Monday, and it showed a concerning contrast from previous images. Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that Murphy has damage in the UCL ligament of his elbow, but the club isn't sure yet what the next step is.
"Doctors are taking a look at it to see what's next with him," said Cora. "Obviously, we are concerned. I'm not saying surgery will be the option, but obviously, the doctors know more about this than me. So in the upcoming days, we'll know more, and then we'll get back to you guys."
The lefty was a longshot to make the team, but he had some strong multi-inning performances for the club last season, and he was looked at as an important organizational depth piece heading into this season.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 19, 2024 19:39:04 GMT -5
SPRING TRAINING REPORT Tuesday’s spring training report: Kutter Crawford allows two early runs then shuts down Rays By Peter Abraham Globe Staff,Updated March 19, 2024, 4:43 p.m.
SCORE: Red Sox 5, Rays 2
RECORD: 14-10-2.
BREAKDOWN: Kutter Crawford allowed two runs in the first inning then blanked the Rays, retiring 17 of the final 18 he faced. Crawford pitched 5⅔ innings, allowing four hits and striking out six without a walk. Josh Winckowski followed with 2⅓ scoreless innings. Triston Casas was 2 for 4 with a homer and three RBIs. Masataka Yoshida was 0 for 3. He is 7 of 37 (.189) in camp.
NEXT: The Sox are off on Wednesday. They host the Orioles at 6:05 p.m. on Thursday. The game will be on NESN-Plus.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 19, 2024 19:41:21 GMT -5
RED SOX NOTEBOOK Here’s an injury update on Red Sox late-inning relievers Chris Martin and Kenley Jansen By Peter Abraham and Alex Speier Globe Staff,Updated March 19, 2024, 5:34 p.m.
FORT MYERS, Fla. — It was a mixed bag of news for two important late-inning Red Sox relievers on Tuesday.
On the positive side, righthander Chris Martin made a one-inning appearance in a minor league game on the backfields of Fenway South, allowing three runs on three hits, including a home run.
He struck out one, threw 12 of 17 pitches for strikes, and topped out at 95-96 miles per hour.
“I don’t know if I’ve thrown that hard in spring training since probably when I was trying to make teams. Last year, I was probably like 92-93. So that’s encouraging,” Martin said. “Now it’s just getting the body in timing and in tune.”
Though Martin lacked his signature command to his glove side through his first five batters of the outing, he closed with a strikeout in which he was able to execute his repertoire with precision.
The 37-year-old, who expects to throw again Friday and perhaps twice more in exhibition games, suggested he could be ready for the start of the regular season March 28 in Seattle.
“Obviously, that’s easier said than done, saying I’ll be there,” Martin said. “It’s just day by day right now. I know physically I’m good.”
As his primary setup man progressed, closer Kenley Jansen remained unable to pitch because of a sore back.
Jansen was scheduled to pitch an inning against the Rays but could not get loose. He will try again Thursday.
We’re running out of time. He knows that and he’s frustrated,” manager Alex Cora said. “He got here early [on Tuesday] working with the [medical staff]. He’s very honest about it [saying], ‘I can grind through it.’
“But it doesn’t make sense. So we’ll be ready for [Thursday] and if it doesn’t happen, we’ll shoot for the next day. And from there we’ll do the math.”
By that, Cora means Jansen is running out of time to be ready for Opening Day. He has appeared in only one game, that coming on Friday. He arrived at camp with a sore shoulder. Crawford sharp
Kutter Crawford allowed hits to the first three Rays he faced. Two stole bases and scored. He then set down 17 of 18, striking out six in a game the Red Sox won, 5-2.
“Got the train back on the tracks. They kind of ambushed me a little bit there,” Crawford said. “I had a game plan after that.”
That plan was getting ahead and dictating the at-bat. Crawford threw 50 of 68 pitches for strikes. He will have one more start in spring training.
Crawford has allowed three earned runs over 13⅔ innings in four starts and struck out 13 without a walk.
“The ability to use his arsenal in the strike zone is impressive,” Cora said. Concern for Murphy
Lefthander Chris Murphy could be headed for season-ending elbow surgery. Cora acknowledged a recent MRI showed ligament damage and a decision would be made in the coming days.
Murphy, 25, made his major league debut last season and was 1-2 with a 4.91 earned run average in 20 relief appearances.
He was used as a swingman at Triple A Worcester and finished 2-3, 6.32 in 15 games, nine of them starts. Kelly on track
Zack Kelly, who was slowed by a strained oblique, faced Wilyer Abreu and Bobby Dalbec in live batting practice and struck them each out twice. He threw 13 of 21 pitches for strikes and said afterward he should be ready for the start of the season. Kelly is tentatively scheduled to pitch on Friday against Toronto in Dunedin, but rain is in the forecast … Tyler O’Neill was 1 for 3 as the DH in his first game since Thursday. He has appeared in only nine games because of a strained right calf. But he is 7 of 22 with four walks … The Sox have a scheduled day off on Wednesday. Garrett Whitlock is expected to start a minor league game to stay on turn … Bryan Mata, sidelined by a hamstring strain all camp, threw in the bullpen and looked comfortable … Uju Ezeudu, a senior communications major at nearby Florida Gulf Coast University, was NESN’s stage manager for the broadcast. She is also a forward on the women’s basketball team who had 11 points and 10 rebounds in a 76-47 victory against Central Arkansas on Sunday to clinch the Atlantic Sun conference title. FGCU will play Oklahoma in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday in Bloomington Ind.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 20, 2024 17:10:15 GMT -5
RED SOX NOTEBOOK Is Garrett Whitlock’s dominant outing in a minor league game the last step before he’s named to the Red Sox starting rotation? By Alex Speier Globe Staff,Updated March 20, 2024, 48 minutes ago
FORT MYERS, Fla. — Yes, it was a minor league spring training game, and yes, it took place in a nearly empty, friends-and-family crowd at JetBlue Park. Still, in his last outing before camp breaks, Garrett Whitlock put an exclamation point on his case for a rotation spot.
In 5⅔ shutout innings on Wednesday, Whitlock faced 20 Twins batters, struck out 10, walked none, and had only one ball travel beyond the infield in the air. He allowed three hits while throwing 57 of 73 pitches for strikes, had just one three-ball count, and induced 14 swings and misses.
“This was by far the best spring outing for me,” said Whitlock.
Whitlock carved the Twins with an arsenal that he used to get to all parts of the zone, featuring a worm-killing sinker while getting swings and misses on his changeup, slider, sweeper, and an intriguing new offering that left lefties flailing. (His lone struggle was in his attempt to locate his cutter on the arm side of the plate.) Whitlock said he developed his latest pitch in a recent bullpen session and used it against hitters for the first time Wednesday.
“That’s the new toy,” said Whitlock. “It’s definitely something I’m going to use going forward.”
With that “new toy,” Whitlock added to the impression that his arsenal is more rounded than it has been in the past. For most of his big league career, he’s worked with three pitches — a sinker, changeup, and one version of a slider. This spring, while his sinker and slider have remained his primary offerings, he’s shown confidence in a sweeper with horizontal movement and gyro slider with more north-south action. And his cutter — though a work in progress — shows potential to further vary looks.
“I feel like I’m coming in with a completely different arsenal than in years past,” said Whitlock.
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He used the whole bag of tricks on Wednesday. Was that the mix of a starter?
“One hundred percent,” said pitching coach Andrew Bailey. “He’s got the ability to do a lot of special things.”
For Whitlock, there was considerable satisfaction in the healthy conclusion of a buildup to the season. For the first time in years, he had an offseason where he was able to focus on building up and improving rather than recovering and rehabbing from injury. With that foundation, he feels like a better pitcher than at any point in his Red Sox tenure.
Whitlock seems like a near-certainty for a rotation spot. That said, the 27-year-old — who is next expected to start an exhibition game in Texas against the Rangers next week — has yet to be given any word to that effect from the Red Sox.
In the past, he might have been anxious for a verdict. That’s not the case this spring. Instead, Whitlock said his perspective has been altered profoundly by the death of his brother, Gavrie, who drowned last September.
“My whole approach has changed drastically,” said Whitlock. “I’m coming at this season with complete joy, just never taking for granted that I get a chance to pitch in the big leagues. That’s why I’m in that mode of, if I’m a starter, amazing; if I’m a reliever, amazing. I get to freakin’ play baseball. That’s the coolest thing in the world to me. I’m just gonna go out compete with everything I got. Wherever it lines up, you’re gonna get my best.”
Jansen throws off mound
On an offday for the rest of the big league team, Kenley Jansen — who’d been dealing with lower-back stiffness — reported to JetBlue Park for a workout that concluded with a throwing session off a bullpen mound. If he reports to the field on Thursday without any setbacks, he’ll pitch in a game. Jansen stayed at the field after his workout to watch part of Whitlock’s outing from the dugout. He was joined by Nick Pivetta … Lefthander Chris Murphy left to seek a second opinion on the ligament damage in his pitching elbow. Tommy John surgery is a possibility for the 25-year-old … The Sox narrowly averted disaster in their Triple A game when middle infielders Nick Yorke and Nick Sogard crashed into each other on a grounder up the middle. Both remained on the ground for several moments, with Sogard seemingly sliding into Yorke’s torso. Initially, Yorke seemed to bear the brunt of it, but while he stayed in the game, Sogard exited after pulling up while running down the line.
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