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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 29, 2021 15:10:26 GMT -5
Alex Speier @alexspeier · 25m One major league source said that Barnes has had several COVID-19 tests come back negative since the initial positive result on Saturday. Between that and his asymptomatic status, the Joint MLB-MLBPA COVID-19 Committee evidently felt comfortable clearing him to return.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 29, 2021 15:14:18 GMT -5
Red Sox 4, Braves 0: Tanner Houck did the thing
And he did it well. By Matt_Collins@MattRyCollins Mar 29, 2021, 4:11pm EDT
The Red Sox got some unexpected good news on Monday afternoon that certainly takes precedent over the outcome of the game they played against the Braves at the same time. That said, the game was pretty good too, with a strong start as well as two homers. Tanner Houck comes through when the team may need him
The Red Sox got the good news on the Matt Barnes front this afternoon, but the situation with Eduardo Rodriguez at the top of the rotation is still unclear. He definitely won’t be pitching on Thursday, but whether or not he’ll have to hit the injured list is still up in the air. If he does, the Red Sox would have to look toward another starter, and Tanner Houck could very well be that guy. He sure as hell made his case for it on Monday.
The righty got the start in this one as the pitching staff was still very much in flux at the start of the game. Houck did not waste his chance. Coming off his wildly exciting end to 2020, the rookie shoved against a Braves lineup that featured a whole lot of regulars from one of the best lineups in the sport. Houck ended up pitching into the fifth, tossing 4 1⁄3 innings without allowing a run on just two hits (both singles), one walk and six strikeouts. Specifically, it was his slider that stood out to me as he spun a few very impressive breaking balls.
It’s been an up-and-down spring for Houck, who now has two shutout appearances on his game log as well as two in which he allowed three runs in two or fewer innings. Even after his impressive showing late last summer, there are still questions here about his ability to stick long-term in the rotation. This outing didn’t make those questions disappear, of course, but it adds a bit of confidence that he can fill in for a start or two if Rodriguez does indeed have to hit the injured list. That said, Matt Andriese is back along with Barnes and he could be a spot starter option as well. Whether Houck makes his first start in April or May or whenever it may be, today was a reminder that for all of the questions he can still be electric. Three more homers from key players
On Sunday, the Red Sox got back-to-back homers from Kiké Hernández and Franchy Cordero to help catapult them to a victory. It wasn’t quite the same this time around, but they did get three more homers from key players in the same inning that led the way offensively. The first was actually from Hernández again. He wasn’t leading off the game this time — he did hit leadoff again, though — but in the third inning he launched his third homer of the spring and his second in as many days. He also drew a walk in the 1-2 day while starting at second and is up to a 1.083 OPS on the spring.
J.D. Martinez, meanwhile, also had a good game on Sunday, though he didn’t leave the yard. In fact, coming into Monday’s game he hadn’t hit a homer yet this spring. As you may expect because he’s being included in this section, he changed that against the Braves. He showed off the smooth opposite field power for his first dinger of 2021, keeping up a hot streak to end camp. As we mentioned yesterday. spring training is never really smooth for him, but it’s always nice to see him get his swing in order for the last few games. With his 1-2 game today that also included a walk, he’s reached base twice in each of the last two games and three times in his last five starts.
And finally, Marwin Gonzalez showed off the pop. He was hitting from the left side on this one, and with a runner on second he hit a two-run shot out to right field. It was his third homer of the spring. He continues to move all around the diamond as well, playing third base for this one. Yesterday, we noted his strong defense at second, but today he offered a reminder he can hit a bit as well. It wasn’t just the home run, either, as Gonzalez added a pair of singles for a 3-3 day.
Other Notes
The Red Sox got a couple of appearances from relievers that should be in the Opening Day bullpen coming in to finish this seven-inning affair. First was Austin Brice, who is out of options but could be on one of the shorter leashes in the relief corps to start the year. He didn’t allow a run in this one but did allow a couple of singles in his inning of work. He did, however, also strike out a pair to work around the trouble. After Brice was Darwinzon Hernandez to finish off the game. The lefty has some high hopes this season as he comes equipped with arguably the best pure stuff in the bullpen (which is saying something given the track records of Barnes and Adam Ottavino). He didn’t get any strikeouts in this one and he did walk one, but that was all he allowed in the scoreless inning of work. Also getting hits in this game who have not been mentioned were: Jarren Duran, who started in center field for this game and smacked a double in a 1-2 day that also included a strikeout; Chad De La Guerra, who came in as a late-game sub and got a single in his lone plate appearance; and Xander Bogaerts, who started at shortstop today and went 1-3 with a single and came in to score on Gonzalez’s homer. Also pitching in this game who has not been mentioned was Kaleb Ort, the minor-league Rule 5 selection who has pitched noticeably a lot this spring. He came in after Houck and recorded the final two outs of the fifth while walking two and striking out one.
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Post by Kimmi on Mar 29, 2021 16:21:06 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 7h Daniel Bard in 8 Cactus League games:
7.1 IP 2 H 0 R 3 BB 11 K
Great story getting even better. Good for him. I am always happy to read good news about Bard. I hope he keeps it up.
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Post by Kimmi on Mar 29, 2021 16:26:32 GMT -5
Joel Sherman @joelsherman1 · 40m Matt Barnes was ruled to have a non-infectious positive for COVID-19 and is back in camp, and so are all #RedSox players who were considered close contacts. Someone is going to have to explain this one to be. Since when is there a such thing as "non-infectious positive COVID"? Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled that we're getting Barnes back so soon, but I don't get how he is able to bypass the quarantine protocols.
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Post by Kimmi on Mar 29, 2021 16:28:06 GMT -5
My take of today's game 1)am happy Barnes and the rest of the guys cleared to return. Good having all the cards on the table to start the season. 2)Houck pitched well, likely will make a start as E-rod will be skipped a turn. 3)The pen guys were fine today 4) hitting is no issue, but, JDM is looking more comfy, like I said was not worried about him. If we can stay healthy, we're a good team.
Three more days!!
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 29, 2021 16:34:07 GMT -5
Monday’s Red Sox spring training report: A shutout win and a three-homer inning By Peter Abraham Globe Staff,Updated March 29, 2021, 1 hour ago
▪ Score: Red Sox 4, Braves 0.
▪ Record: 16-10-1.
▪ Breakdown: Tanner Houck and three relievers combined on a four-hitter with nine strikeouts as the Sox won their third in a row. Houck retired 13 of the 16 hitters he faced, striking out six with a good fastball/slider combination supplemented by occasional splitters, a pitch he has been working on. The Sox scored four runs in the third inning off Ian Anderson. Kiké Hernández homered with one out. J.D. Martinez homered with two outs. After Xander Bogaerts singled, Marwin Gonzalez homered down the right-field line.
▪ Next: The Sox host the Braves at 1:05 p.m. Tuesday in the final Grapefruit League game of the year. The game will be on NESN.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 29, 2021 17:53:37 GMT -5
Joel Sherman @joelsherman1 · 40m Matt Barnes was ruled to have a non-infectious positive for COVID-19 and is back in camp, and so are all #RedSox players who were considered close contacts. Someone is going to have to explain this one to be. Since when is there a such thing as "non-infectious positive COVID"? Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled that we're getting Barnes back so soon, but I don't get how he is able to bypass the quarantine protocols.
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 2h Barnes is not regarded as a false positive but was deemed non-infectious.
It's being further investigated but he's cleared to rejoin the team.
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Post by scrappyunderdog on Mar 29, 2021 19:20:05 GMT -5
My take of today's game 1)am happy Barnes and the rest of the guys cleared to return. Good having all the cards on the table to start the season. 2)Houck pitched well, likely will make a start as E-rod will be skipped a turn. 3)The pen guys were fine today 4) hitting is no issue, but, JDM is looking more comfy, like I said was not worried about him. Wonderful day to be a RS fan. Except for Vazquez and Dalbec, it looks like we are at full strength. I agree with what you said about Valdez/Brewer being the final RP, but I think that's small potatoes.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 30, 2021 2:51:11 GMT -5
Vázquez '99 percent' sure of readiness E-Rod throws bullpen session; Houck shuts down Braves March 29th, 2021 Ian Browne
Ian Browne @ianmbrowne
Four days after being belted under his left eye by a thrown ball during a team drill, Red Sox catcher Christian Vázquez was left with a visual reminder of the scary incident.
“You like my scar?” Vázquez said during the opening of a Zoom call.
Bruised but unbowed, Vázquez expressed a “99 percent” vow to be in the lineup on Thursday, when the Red Sox open their 2021 season at Fenway Park against the Orioles.
The team’s medical staff will be working with Vázquez right up until then to get him ready.
“They’re going to take off the stitches before the game on Thursday and put in butterfly stitches,” said Vázquez. “But my wife likes [the scar], so we’re good.”
Vázquez had a productive day on Monday, catching ace lefty Eduardo Rodriguez in a bullpen session and then tracking pitches at the plate in a “B” game against the Twins.
“I hit today in the cage. I went to the 'B' game today to track some pitchers. I didn’t swing today in a game. I hope tomorrow I can swing here,” Vázquez said. “I caught a bullpen today, and it’s not bothering me, so I’m 99 percent sure I can go on Thursday.”
What exactly happened?
“We were doing a [pitchers’ fielding practice drill] on Field 3. The pitcher was throwing the ball to home and I was watching first, I was talking about something at first base,” Vázquez said. “[Hirokazu] Sawamura threw the ball and hit me. I saw the ball right here in my face and it knocked me down to the floor.”
Everything is now a lot better than it seemed then for Boston’s starting catcher.
“I’m doing good. You can see [the scar], that’s the only thing. I’m not worrying about sweating,” Vázquez said. “I was worried about my eye. But my eye is good. I can see perfect. I’m going to have an appointment Wednesday with my eye doctor and get ready for Opening Day.”
E-Rod back on the bump For the second time in three days, Rodriguez threw a bullpen session. This level of activity was noteworthy, considering that manager Alex Cora announced on Friday that the lefty would not take the ball on Opening Day due to experiencing arm fatigue in his most recent Spring Training start.
“He looked good. The ball was coming firm, good. It looked good. All the pitches were good,” said Vázquez.
• Healthy arms key to strong 2021 campaign
However, Cora is still going to be cautious with Rodriguez and it seems likely he will miss the first turn through the rotation. The conservative approach with Rodriguez is understandable when you consider he didn’t throw a pitch in 2020 due to myocarditis.
“One thing’s for sure, we're running out of time,” said Cora. “He's not going to be able to face hitters in a game situation [before camp ends]. We're going to be smart with him. Let's see how he feels after this one, and we'll make decisions accordingly. He's an important part of what we're trying to accomplish, and for what he went through last year, his body, the testing that we do after bullpens and the next day will dictate what we do in the near future. We're comfortable that this is something that's not going to take long, but we just have to be smart with it.”
Houck lights out Though Tanner Houck was optioned to the alternate site earlier in camp, he turned in a lights-out performance against the Braves, allowing two hits while striking out six over 4 1/3 innings.
Boston’s No. 7 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, could be in line for an early-season start, depending on how long Rodriguez is out for.
The Red Sox will need a fifth starter by April 7 against the Rays.
“I mean, obviously he's an option,” said Cora.” We know what's going on and as far as Eduardo, where we're gonna go with him and all that stuff, so there's a chance he can be part of this.”
Houck said he is up for the challenge if Cora calls on him. The righty was brilliant in three starts at the end of last season.
“Absolutely. I feel like my body is in the best shape I’ve ever been in,” said Houck. “I feel mentally, I’m stronger than I ever have been. Those are the two things that lead to a lot of success.”
Up next The Red Sox will send lefty Martín Pérez to the mound for their final game of Spring Training on Tuesday afternoon against the Braves. Cora will mix up his outfield alignment by starting Alex Verdugo in left field. Verdugo had played only center and right thus far in camp. Kiké Hernández will play center and Hunter Renfroe will get the nod in right. First pitch at JetBlue Park is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 30, 2021 2:52:25 GMT -5
Barnes' test a 'non-infectious positive' Closer candidate, 8 players in contact tracing cleared to return March 29th, 2021 Ian Browne
Ian Browne @ianmbrowne
Just two days ago, things were in chaos for the Red Sox. Closing candidate Matt Barnes tested positive for Covid-19 and was ruled out for Opening Day. Eight members of the organization, including three pitchers, were in quarantine due to contact tracing, leaving their status for the start of the season in jeopardy.
Then came a satisfying Monday afternoon, when everything resolved itself.
It turns out that the PCR test that Barnes took on March 25 was deemed a non-infectious positive. The righty reliever was cleared to return to camp along with the eight others who had been identified as close contacts.
“Yeah, I just heard about it,” said Red Sox manager Alex Cora after his team’s 4-0 victory over the Braves. “I haven’t talked to [the front office], but I know he got cleared by the committee so I don’t know about the details. I’m just happy that he’s going to be back with us, and it seems like we’re going to be at full strength in a few days.”
With the season set to start on Thursday at Fenway Park against the Orioles, things suddenly feel a lot calmer for the Red Sox after a rocky last couple of days.
Though he missed three days of camp quarantining, Barnes should be good to go for Opening Day, though it remains to be seen what role Cora will use him in.
Barnes and Adam Ottavino are in competition to be the team’s closer this season. The situation might have been resolved by now if not for the events of the past couple of days, which left the Red Sox in survival mode.
“It's too soon right now,” said Cora. “[Barnes] wasn't with us for a while. It's not fair for anybody. It's not that I don't have an idea or whatever, but we have to see where we're at. The other thing that's also important as far as structure [is] not having [Ryan] Brasier.
“We have to see how we match up with people and all of that to make decisions like that. I'll be patient with it. I said we were going to make a decision before we hop on that plane, but with this decision, we're probably [going to] have to wait and see where we're at.”
Starter Garrett Richards, swingman Matt Andriese and rookie long reliever Garrett Whitlock were three other players who were known to be quarantining since Saturday.
With lefty ace Eduardo Rodriguez scratched from Opening Day and likely to miss the first turn through the rotation due to pitching with a “tired arm” in his last start, it is significant that Richards is no longer out of the mix.
Though he missed what was scheduled to be his final start of Spring Training on Sunday, the Red Sox can probably find a way to get him ramped back up in relatively short order.
“Obviously, you know, he stayed at home. He was probably throwing something against the wall or whatever, I don't know,” said Cora. “I haven't talked to him about any specifics, but I'm about to find out, you know, where we’re at physically.”
The big thing for Cora and the Red Sox is that things have stabilized dramatically in a span of 48 hours.
“Hopefully it's the last time we have to go through this, but Spring Training is to prepare you for whatever happens during the season, so we're prepared, but hopefully we don't have to deal with it anymore,” said Cora.
After his postgame media briefing on Monday, Cora was ready to get back on the bus and head back to the team’s home base in Fort Myers, Fla., and put plans in motion for the start of the season.
“We’ve got to be patient. We’ll stay the course. We did a good job the last few days staying calm,” said Cora. “And now that we know what's going on, where we’re at, now we will plan for the weekend. And the good thing is, we’ve got options and we're in a good place. I think that Friday off-day is going to benefit us. The other off-day [on April 9] is going to benefit us right now, and we’ll just take advantage of that and make decisions based on who can perform this weekend and then go from there.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 30, 2021 3:19:47 GMT -5
Tanner Houck dominates tough Braves lineup, but Red Sox uncertain where he’ll start the year
) By Jason Mastrodonato | jason.mastrodonato@bostonherald.com | Boston Herald March 29, 2021 at 5:13 p.m.
With his A-plus stuff working, Tanner Houck looked dominant once again on Monday afternoon.
Facing a top-tier Atlanta Braves lineup that he carved his way through for 10 strikeouts in his final big league start last fall, Houck once again had no trouble handling some of the best hitters in the National League.
In the first inning, Houck struck out Ronald Acuna Jr., Freddie Freeman and Marcel Ozuna.
He finished 4-⅓ shutout innings with six strikeouts as the Red Sox went on to a 4-0 win and became the first team all spring to hold the Braves scoreless.
“Got back to my roots today, focused on throwing a good two-seam and a slider off that,” he said. “Threw some really good splits throughout the whole outing. That’s obviously the pitch I’ve been working on the most, just trying to bring it up to elite caliber. For me, a lot of progress and continuing to grow.”
Houck struggled throwing strikes earlier this spring, but was hitting 97 mph on the radar gun while continuing to throw a slider that looks almost Chris Sale-like, but from the right-hand slide. It’s a pitch that’s long made Houck a prospect, and one that helped him carve up big leaguers in three brilliant starts last season (17 innings, 21 strikeouts, 0.53 ERA).
“I know my sinker/slider combo is my bread and butter,” Houck said. “That’s my go-to. I’ve done that for years and had a lot of success that way and continue to stay that way. I’ve been talking with (pitching coach Dave Bush), been talking to everyone just going out there to continue to adapt and evolve. It’s been nice having a lot of amazing people around me to lead me in that direction.”
Despite Houck’s powerful stuff, the Red Sox appear committed to using Martin Perez (MLB-worst 5.30 ERA over the last three seasons) and Nick Pivetta (career 5.40 ERA) in their rotation to start the year.
Houck has already been optioned to Triple-A Worcester to begin his season at the alternate site.
Even with Eduardo Rodriguez missing his Opening Day start due to a case of dead arm, it remains uncertain if Houck will be needed at the big league level early on.
“Obviously he’s an option,” manager Alex Cora said. “We know what’s going on and as far as like Eduardo, where we’re gonna go with him and all that stuff, so there’s a chance he can be part of this.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 30, 2021 3:23:33 GMT -5
Boston Red Sox notebook: Tanner Houck shines in start vs. Braves, Alex Cora not ready to name closer; Kevin McCarthy, Chris Herrmann don’t opt out Updated Mar 29, 2021; Posted Mar 29, 2021
By Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com
In what might have been a final audition for a spot start at the beginning of the season, Red Sox right-hander Tanner Houck dominated the Braves over 4 ⅓ innings Monday afternoon.
Houck, who last pitched in a major-league spring game March 16 and was optioned to minor-league camp a day later, didn’t allow a run Monday, striking out six batters and allowing only two hits in a 4-0 Red Sox win. Houck looked sharper than he had at any point this spring, which represented an uneven few weeks for the rookie.
“It felt good,” Houck said. “Just continued to work the last few weeks leading up to the start. Just been putting a lot in there, in the training room and in the weight room staying as ready as I can. Just got back to my roots today. Focused on throwing a good two-seam and a slider off that. Threw some really good splits throughout the whole outing. That’s obviously the pitch I’ve been working on the most, just trying to bring that up to an elite caliber. For me, a lot of progress.”
Houck struggled with command in two of his three previous outings, walking five batters in ⅔ of an inning March 4 and four batters in three innings 12 days later. In the last two weeks, he has pitched in “B” games and simulated games on back fields to ready himself to go to the alternate training site in Worcester when camp breaks.
Things changed a bit for Houck over the weekend, when the Red Sox scratched Eduardo Rodriguez (arm fatigue) from his scheduled start on Opening Day and quarantined a handful of pitchers (including starter Garrett Richards and swingman Matt Andriese) due to Matt Barnes’ positive COVID-19 test. Houck was likely called up to get in line for a spot start Saturday against the Orioles, though it’s unclear if Richards and the other starters being cleared might change Boston’s plans.
Houck still might get a chance to start if the start of Rodriguez’s season is delayed.
“There’s a chance he could be part of this,” manager Alex Cora said.
Cora was pleased with how Houck ended the spring.
“That was real good,” Cora said. “He was in his delivery, the stuff was playing. The ball was moving all over the place but he threw strikes, which is the most important thing. He got his work in and that was a positive outing for him.”
Red Sox use home run derby to beat Braves
The Red Sox have bludgeoned their opponents with home runs all spring, and Monday was no different. Three players -- Kiké Hernández, J.D. Martinez and Marwin Gonzalez -- each homered off Braves righty Ian Anderson in the third inning of the win.
As of Monday night, the Red Sox lead the Grapefruit League and are tied for second in the majors with 44 spring home runs. Nineteen players have homered in exhibition play, with Martinez joining the group with his first shot Monday.
Closer decision might have to wait
With less than 24 hours to go before the end of spring training, Cora still hasn’t made the most important decision he’s faced with this spring. Barnes’ ordeal delayed Cora’s announcement of who his closer will be.
The competition, as it has been all spring, is between Barnes and Adam Ottavino. If Barnes missed the first few days of the season, Ottavino was going to close games, but things are less clear now.
“It’s just too soon right now,” Cora said. “He wasn’t with us for a while. It’s not fair for anybody. It’s not that I don’t have an idea or whatever but we have to see where we’re at. The other thing that’s also important as far as structure, not having (Ryan) Brasier is we have to see how we match up with people and all that. To make decisions like that, I’ll be patient with it. I said we were going to make a decision before we hopped on that plane. Now, with this situation, we’ll probably have to wait and see where we’re at.”
Cordero still on track for opener
Outfielder Franchy Cordero (COVID-19 injured list) remains on track to be ready for Opening Day, Cora said. Cordero played a full seven innings Monday and will pinch-hit late in Tuesday’s spring finale.
“He feels good,” Cora said. “He feels really good. He’s moving around well... The chances of him breaking with the team are very solid.”
McCarthy, Herrmann remain with team
The Red Sox got some good news on the depth front Monday, as reliever Kevin McCarthy and catcher Chris Herrmann will be remaining with the team instead of exercising upward mobility clauses in their minor-league contracts, multiple sources said.
Beginning Sunday, both McCarthy and Herrmann could have left the Red Sox if another club was willing to add them to its 40-man roster. That didn’t happen, so both veterans will provide depth at the alternate site in Worcester.
McCarthy, who threw seven scoreless innings this spring, was a finalist for a bullpen spot but was sent to minor-league camp last week. Herrmann, who has hit .286 in six spring games, will join Connor Wong, Ronaldo Hernández and Jett Bandy as the team’s top catching depth options.
Other notes:
* Catcher Christian Vázquez caught Rodriguez in a bullpen session Monday morning at Fenway South and came away impressed.
“He looked good,” Vázquez said. “The ball was coming firm, like good. He looked good and all the pitches were good.”
* The Red Sox will end their Grapefruit League schedule Tuesday afternoon when they host the Braves at jetBlue Park. Pérez will start opposite Atlanta lefty Drew Smyly.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 30, 2021 7:01:04 GMT -5
Boston Red Sox Opening Day roster: Will Matt Barnes, Garrett Richards be ready after quarantining? Can Eduardo Rodriguez avoid the IL? Updated 6:00 AM; Today 6:00 AM
By Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com
As of a week ago, the Red Sox didn’t seem to have many tough decisions to make when it came to their Opening Day roster. Yes, Alex Cora would need to make one or two decisions at the back of the bullpen and then maybe make a tough call on the final bench spot. But in general, almost all of the 26-man group was set.
Then, all hell broke loose. Eduardo Rodriguez was scratched from his scheduled Opening Day start after battling “dead arm.” Catcher Christian Vázquez was hit in the face with a ball during a practice drill and now has stitches that will be removed before Thursday’s game. And most notably, Matt Barnes’ positive COVID-19 test forced at least four pitchers who were projected to make the major-league roster into quarantine for a three-day period, only to have Major League Baseball clear them all Monday afternoon after Barnes’ test was ruled to be some sort of false positive.
Now, with two days to go before the Sox host the Orioles at Fenway Park, things are a bit more certain but there are still questions to be answered before the final group is submitted. Here’s what Cora and his coaching staff must figure out before first pitch Thursday afternoon.
Will Barnes and the others be ready after quarantining?
Four major-league pitchers -- Barnes, starter Garrett Richards and relievers Matt Andriese and Garrett Whitlock -- were held out of team activities for three straight days after Barnes’ positive test. Richards, Andriese and Whitlock were found to be close contacts and had to quarantine until being cleared Monday afternoon.
It’s unclear if the 72-hour hiatus will mean those pitchers won’t be ready for Opening Day, though early indications are that they likely will be. Cora made multiple mentions to the club being at “full strength” after the news broke Monday afternoon and it’s believed all four pitchers continued throwing, even while away from team activities. Richards, who was originally slated to start over the weekend against Baltimore, might be the most affected of the group and could be pushed back until early next week against the Rays.
The Red Sox have options here. They can easily place any or all of the affected pitchers on the COVID-19 injured list and activate them whenever they choose. That would create short-term opportunities for pitchers like Tanner Houck, Colten Brewer, Phillips Valdez and Marcus Walden while allowing the Red Sox some early-season flexibility. Players on the COVID-19 IL don’t count against the 40-man roster.
The guess here is that all four pitchers will be active, but the flexibility created by placing, say, Richards on the COVID-19 IL might be attractive, especially if he’s a few days behind.
What’s the status of Eduardo Rodriguez? Does that affect the rotation for the weekend?
Rodriguez threw his second bullpen in three days Monday morning and might avoid the injured list. If the Red Sox do place him on the IL, the earliest they could activate him would be April 8 -- the first road game of the season in Baltimore.
It’s clear the Red Sox aren’t going to push Rodriguez to pitch over the weekend, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s headed to the IL. Again, temporarily placing him on the IL would give the club more flexibility, especially considering how Tanner Houck -- who started Monday -- seemed to be in line to make a spot start Saturday afternoon. If that happens, Boston could easily have Houck make his season debut in the majors then option him to Worcester to make room for Rodriguez after a week.
This one, especially, is hard to predict. Cora has repeatedly pledged to be careful with Rodriguez, but an IL placement might be a little much.
Will Christian Vázquez be good to go?
Vázquez will undergo some more testing over the next couple days, but he said Monday that he feels there’s a “99% chance” he’ll be in the lineup Thursday. If he can’t play for whatever reason, Kevin Plawecki will become the starting catcher and the Red Sox will promote a catching prospect -- either Ronaldo Hernández or Connor Wong -- who is on the 40-man roster.
Barring a major surprise, Vázquez will be ready to go. This one should be an easy decision.
Franchy Cordero and Christian Arroyo are locks, so is Michael Chavis the odd man out? Will the Sox go with 13 pitchers or 14?
Outfielder Franchy Cordero, who is still on the COVID-19 injured list, will break camp with the team after progressing quickly after a late arrival to camp. Infielder Christian Arroyo is out of options, so he’ll make the team as a bench option. If the Red Sox go with 14 pitchers and 12 position players, as they’ve planned all spring, that likely means Michael Chavis will be optioned to start the year. He’ll likely be the first player called up if a position player is injured.
There’s still an outside chance Cora will opt for 13 pitchers and 13 position players, especially if one of the pitchers who quarantined isn’t ready. That would further open the door for Chavis to make the team.
“There’s a chance we can go 13 and 13, but it’s because of the situation the last three days,” Cora said Monday morning, before Barnes and the others were cleared. “For us, it makes sense going 12 and 14 but I think we can adjust for a few days, if needed. Especially with the off day on Friday. Obviously, Christian (Vázquez)’s situation is another one. We have to take a look at it. We’re in conversations right now. There’s a good chance, if we see that we need one more extra player, we’ll go 13 and 13. That’s going to be just for a few days if that’s the case.”
Who claims the final bullpen spot?
If Barnes, Andriese and Whitlock are good to go, the Red Sox have only one decision to make in the bullpen. Barnes, Andriese, Whitlock, Darwinzon Hernandez, Adam Ottavino, Hirokazu Sawamura, Josh Taylor are locks, and Austin Brice seems like he has earned a spot. That would mean it’s a two-horse race for the final spot between Colten Brewer and Phillips Valdez.
Neither Brewer (9.95 ERA in 6 ⅓ innings) nor Valdez (9.35 ERA in 8 ⅔ innings) has had a good spring, but both have prior major-league success. Brewer, who spent most of 2019 in the majors pitching for Cora, might have the upper hand due to his familiarity with the manager and his ability to pitch multiple innings. Valdez, who was acquired before the 2020 season, was one of Boston’s best and most consistent relievers for all of last year.
This one could go either way, but the guess here is Brewer wins out because he can give the Sox some length. Whoever loses the competition will simply be optioned and start the year in Worcester. There’s also the possibility that the Red Sox sign a free-agent reliever in the coming days. They’ve had talks with Héctor Rondón, Jesse Biddle and likely others.
Which other moves need to be made?
Even if everyone on the bubble is deemed ready, Boston will still need to make some roster moves before Thursday. Reliever Ryan Brasier (right pinkie fracture) will need to go on the 60-day injured list while Cordero needs to be activated. If none of the pitchers go on the COVID-19 IL, the Sox will need to clear a 40-man spot for Cordero by designating somebody for assignment (righty John Schreiber and outfielder Marcus Wilson are two candidates). Assuming 14 pitchers make it, Chavis will need to be optioned to Worcester.
If Rodriguez goes on the IL, Houck would likely be called up in his place. The loser of the Valdez/Brewer battle would make it if one of the relievers is ruled out, with Walden and McCarthy among the other options if multiple pitchers can’t go.
In the best-case scenario, the only players who would need to be sent out are Chavis and either Brewer or Valdez. If more guys are unavailable, Boston’s depth will be tested early in the season.
OPENING DAY ROSTER PROJECTION:
STARTERS (5): RHP Nathan Eovaldi, LHP Martín Pérez, RHP Nick Pivetta, RHP Garrett Richards, LHP Eduardo Rodriguez
RELIEVERS (9): RHP Matt Andriese, RHP Matt Barnes, RHP Austin Brice, RHP Colten Brewer, LHP Darwinzon Hernandez, RHP Adam Ottavino, RHP Hirokazu Sawamura, LHP Josh Taylor, RHP Garrett Whitlock
CATCHERS (2): C Kevin Plawecki, C Christian Vázquez
INFIELDERS (4): INF Christian Arroyo, SS Xander Bogaerts, 1B Bobby Dalbec, 3B Rafael Devers
UTILITY PLAYERS (2): UTIL Kiké Herńandez, UTIL Marwin Gonzalez
OUTFIELDERS (4): OF Franchy Cordero, OF/DH J.D. Martinez, OF Hunter Renfroe, OF Alex Verdugo
INJURED LIST (2): RHP Ryan Brasier, LHP Chris Sale
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 30, 2021 7:03:19 GMT -5
red sox notebook Christian Vázquez bruised but unbroken after taking errant throw to the face By Peter Abraham Globe Staff,Updated March 29, 2021, 4:40 p.m.
NORTH PORT, Fla. — Christian Vázquez looked like a boxer on the wrong side of a knockout when he sat down for an interview Monday.
Even over Zoom, the large cut under his left eye looked ugly.
“You like my scar?” he said.
Vázquez wasn’t smiling last Thursday when he was hit in the face by a ball thrown by teammate Hirokazu Sawamura during a defensive drill on a practice field at Fenway South.
“I was watching first,” Vázquez said. “I was talking about something at first base and Sawamura threw the ball and hit me. I saw the ball right in my face. It knocked me down.”
Vázquez’s sunglasses shattered, and the bottom part of the lens cut his face.
“Those sunglasses saved my eye,” Vázquez said. “If I don’t have the sunglasses, it’s a different story.”
Vázquez was stunned for a few moments.
“All hits in the face, you’re worried,” he said. “I was worried about my eye. When I got hit, I opened the eye. I was seeing, so that’s a good sign. That’s the only concern I had.”
Vázquez hasn’t played since then but hopes to get in Tuesday’s game against the Atlanta Braves or take live batting practice.
He caught Eduardo Rodriguez in the bullpen Monday, hit in the batting cage, then traveled over to the Twins complex to get some at-bats, but only to track pitches.
“My eye’s good,” he said. “I can see perfect.”
Vázquez has been checked out by doctors, and his eyesight is fine. He’s scheduled for another examination in Boston Wednesday and expects to be in the lineup Thursday for Opening Day.
“It’s one of those we’re not 100 percent sure he’ll be there but there’s a pretty good chance he’ll play on Thursday,” manager Alex Cora said.
Doctors are planning to replace the stitches with some butterfly bandages before the game Thursday. But he’ll have a scar.
“But my wife likes it, so we’re good,” Vázquez said.
If Vázquez isn’t cleared until later in the week, or if the Sox decide to carry a third catcher for a few games, Cora said they would call up somebody from the 40-man roster. That would be either Ronaldo Hernández or Connor Wong.
Jett Bandy and Chris Herrmann, who both have major league experience, are in camp on minor league contracts. But adding one of them to the major league roster would require creating an opening on the 40-man. Cordero in the clear
Franchy Cordero, who played five innings Monday, has done enough to make the Opening Day roster.
“The chances of him breaking with the team are very solid — very solid,” Cora said.
Cordero is 5 of 17 in six Grapefruit League games after striking out three times in Monday’s 4-0 victory against the Braves. He’ll likely pinch hit Tuesday so Cora can give Alex Verdugo some innings in left field. It took a while
J.D. Martinez went 52 at-bats in spring training before hitting his first homer, a shot to left off Ian Anderson in the third inning. Martinez walked in his third plate appearance, this time facing Sean Newcomb. He tried to take third on a single down the right-field line by Marwin Gonzalez, but Ronald Acuña Jr. threw him out … The Braves bent the rules a bit during the game. Anderson was taken out with two outs in the top of the third. But he took his turn at bat in the bottom of the inning to get an-bat and struck out. With no designated hitter in the National League this season, Anderson wanted to get up … Xander Bogaerts, who didn’t get into a game until March 12 because of a sore right shoulder, has 35 plate appearances with one game left.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Mar 30, 2021 8:38:52 GMT -5
7 innings again today
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 35m Time to go: Hernández CF, Verdugo LF, Martinez DH, Bogaerts SS, Devers 3B, Renfroe RF, Gonzalez 2B, Dalbec 1B, Plawecki C, and Pérez LHP
1:05 p.m. on NESN vs. Braves.
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