Red Sox @ Orioles Game Thread/ 7th-10th May 2021

Bogaerts' 1,000th game; injury updates
May 6th, 2021
Ian Browne

Ian Browne
@ianmbrowne



BOSTON -- As another reminder of his constant presence on the Red Sox in what is now his ninth season with the club, shortstop Xander Bogaerts played in his 1,000th career game on Thursday against the Tigers.

In typical Bogaerts fashion, he was all over the place, going 2-for-3 with a run and an RBI while making all the plays at shortstop in a wild 12-9 win.

At 28 years and 217 days, Bogaerts became the 10th player to appear in 1,000 games for the Sox before turning 29 years old, joining a distinguished group that also includes Bobby Doerr, Dwight Evans, Harry Hooper, Rico Petrocelli, Jim Rice, Everett Scott, Reggie Smith, Tris Speaker and Carl Yastrzemski.

"It definitely means a lot," said Bogaerts. "I know for sure I came a long way since the day I signed and growing up as a kid just trying to learn to play the game and be successful and get to the big leagues. Now I have quite some [service] time and quite an amount of games, which is pretty impressive for a little kid who was just trying to get to the big leagues from Aruba.

"I'm extremely proud of myself and I'm thankful everyone who helped me, especially my family for always being there to support me throughout the good and the bad, because I had my bad times for sure. I definitely had a bumpy road at the beginning, but I'm happy where I'm at right now."

Bogaerts is the 30th player in team history to play 1,000 games.

"I do believe he's the most consistent person in this organization," said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. "I mean, off the field, on the field, physically, what he does in the offseason, the way he takes care of himself during the season. The way he goes about his business. Everything is about winning for him."

Bogaerts was initially called up to the Red Sox on Aug. 19, 2013 -- in the middle of a pennant race. He was part of a veteran-laden team but still got the opportunity to prove himself once he moved into the starting lineup midway through the postseason.

"I know when he came here in 2013, he got a taste, he got a ring, but that was a special group. A group of grinders," said Cora. "[Mike] Napoli, [Stephen] Drew, [Jonny] Gomes, David [Ortiz], [Dustin] Pedroia, just a bunch of grinders. [Shane] Victorino. And then [Bogaerts] learned right away what it's all about to play in this market, in this stadium, in this city for this franchise. And he doesn't take a day for granted."

Nor does Cora take for granted that he has Bogaerts as his shortstop. In fact, the manager isn't afraid to expand the boundaries of their relationship beyond the ballpark. Cora puts his young twin sons on the phone with Bogaerts when the occasion calls for it.

"Yesterday, the boys didn't want to have breakfast. They love Xander Bogaerts. They know the number. Obviously, one of the kids, his first name is Xander," said Cora. "So I called Xander and said, 'Tell them what they have to do.' He said, 'Hey, you guys have to eat.' They crushed breakfast. It was amazing."

And as usual, Bogaerts is crushing the baseball this season.

Bogaerts leads the Majors with 42 hits and is fifth with a .356 average. When the day started, he was tied for the American League lead in doubles and has belted six homers in the past 15 games. Bogaerts started the day leading MLB shortstops in average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, OPS, doubles, hits and extra-base hits.

"He's a special dude, special player, special guy," said Red Sox catcher Kevin Plawecki. "Just the way he goes about his business, obviously the results on the field speaks for itself, but the work he puts in that nobody sees, the kind of teammate he is in the clubhouse and the dugout, on the road, whatever the case may be, he's just a really good dude and I know a lot of guys around here look up to him and go to him for certain things."

Bumps and bruises update
Kiké Hernandez started Thursday by lacing a leadoff double in the bottom of the first. But on the slide into second, he tweaked his right hamstring and was removed from the game with what the team's medical staff referred to as tightness.

Cora was unsure of Hernández's availability leading into the weekend series against Baltimore. It's possible the Red Sox could have to add a position player to the roster such as Michael Chavis, who wasn't in the lineup for Triple-A Worcester on Thursday.

"He thought it was probably a cramp in the beginning, but then he felt it was more than a cramp," said Cora. "I don't know how serious it is. I haven't had too much time to talk to [trainer] Brad [Pearson], but we'll talk about it and obviously we'll stay away from him tomorrow. We'll have more later on or tomorrow."


Alex Verdugo moved from left to center to replace Hernández. Franchy Cordero came off the bench to play left field and subbed in for Hernández in the leadoff spot and had a big day, belting three hits and scoring three times.

Still, the timing of Hernández's injury is far from ideal. Christian Arroyo was out of the lineup a day after he was belted on the left wrist by a pitch. It was the second time this season Arroyo has taken a shot to that same wrist. The last time it happened was April 25, and Arroyo had three days of rest before playing again.

X-rays taken on Wednesday night came back negative.

The good news is that Arroyo was healthy enough to pinch-run late in Thursday's game. He scored a run and then made a tremendous stop on defense in the top of the ninth.

Cora made special note of Arroyo's contribution after the game.

"I can tell you from experience, that's kind of hard, because when you become a defensive replacement, you have to make the play," Cora said. "People expect you to make the play. It's not that easy and you make that sliding catch and got the lead runner. If you look at the numbers, he's actually one of the best defensive second basemen right now in the big leagues. We're just happy that we have him. I was more than happy that he was willing to go out there a little bit banged up and help us."

Workman returns on Minors deal
As the Red Sox departed for Baltimore, the club announced it had re-signed former closer Brandon Workman to a Minor League deal and assigned him to Triple-A Worcester.

Workman spent six seasons with the Red Sox, going 24-16 with a 3.75 ERA and 20 saves. At last year's Trade Deadline, he was dealt to the Phillies along with Heath Hembree for Connor Seabold and Nick Pivetta.

The right-hander signed a free-agent deal with the Cubs on Feb. 18, but after going 0-2 with a 6.75 ERA in 10 games, he was released last Friday.

Laundry cart guy
Speaking of Plawecki, he jokingly referred to himself as the "laundry cart guy" in a Zoom session with reporters on Thursday.

The ritual the Red Sox started late last season of giving a player a ride in a laundry cart in the dugout started with Plawecki and former Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek brainstorming on a way for the team to have some fun. Everyone is having fun with it.

"Every interview I do now, it's all we talk about. The laundry cart guy," said Plawecki. "Haaha. It's just something fun. It keeps the guys loose. Just something that obviously has taken off and here we are. Added responsibility for me every day."

So how did it start, exactly?

"It started last year when Varitek was trying to get me to think of something fun for the guys to do after home runs and I couldn't really think of anything. And last year -- obviously being as tough of a year as it was for all of us in general – tried to find a way to spruce things up," Plawecki said. "I found this laundry cart in Tampa, [Fla.], and I think [Christian] Vázquez was up to bat at the time. 'Tek was like, 'Push him down the tunnel in this laundry cart,' and here we are today, still doing it."

For the current homestand, the Red Sox were greeted with a custom laundry cart.

"Then we had somebody reach out to us, wanted to make us our own custom cart. They reached out to Tommy [McLaughlin], our clubhouse manager, and we put something together and here we are," said Plawecki, who had a strong game with two hits and a key walk in the bottom of the eighth.

Red Sox notebook
Will Kiké Hernández’s hamstring injury force the Red Sox to make a move?
By Julian McWilliams Globe Staff,Updated May 6, 2021, 7:34 p.m.

Kiké Hernández was removed from Thursday afternoon’s 12-9 win over the Tigers in the first inning because of right hamstring tightness.

Hernández was hobbled after sliding into second base for a double. That left Christian Vázquez as what appeared to be the only position player on the bench, with Christian Arroyo sidelined because of a left hand contusion. Arroyo did, however, pinch run in the eighth inning, and he played second base in the ninth.

In Hernández’s case, it could mean a stint on the injured list, though manager Alex Cora hoped to know more soon. later on Thursday evening or Friday.



“[Kiké] thought it was probably a cramp in the beginning,” Cora said. “But then he felt it was more than a cramp. I don’t know how serious it is. We’ll talk about it. And obviously we’ll stay away from him tomorrow.”

Michael Chavis, who started the season in Triple A Worcester, was added to the taxi squad, and could be a power threat for a Red Sox lineup that has struggled at the bottom of the order.


Chavis wasn’t in the WooSox lineup for Thursday’s game against Trenton.
Related: Red Sox’ high-scoring win over the Tigers shows how much work they need to do

Chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom said recently that the team will still carry a taxi squad for road games, even with the minor league season under way. When the Red Sox traveled to Baltimore last month, Chavis was part of the taxi squad.

“I can play third, second, first, left field, anywhere,” Chavis said during a Zoom call Thursday. “If it gets me in the lineup, I’m going to be happy. That’s what my goal is at the end of day, is just to be in the lineup playing baseball. So, if my versatility gives me a better opportunity then 100 percent that’s something I’m going to embrace and look forward to doing. I’ll be ready, whenever my opportunity shows up.”


Catcher Jett Bandy likely will be a part of the taxi squad.
Running wild

Opponents have been utilizing the run game against the Red Sox, and catchers Vázquez and Kevin Plawecki haven’t been successful at taming it. Vázquez has allowed 13 stolen bases. Meanwhile, teams have swiped 11 bags out of 12 against Plawecki, including two on Thursday.

In the three games against the Tigers,Red Sox yielded seven stolen bases. Vázquez and Plawecki have incorporated the one-knee-down stance behind the plate. It is supposed to help catchers frame pitches (especially those near the bottom of the zone).

Yet Cora doesn’t believe that is the reason why teams have had so much success against Sox catchers on the basepaths.

“I know a lot of people think that they’re running because of that. But [Plawecki] threw 1.9 [pop time] vs. Seattle,” Cora said. “It’s one of the best throws the last two years. So, we like it.” Pop time represents the time elapsed from the pitch hitting the catcher’s mitt to the moment the fielder is projected to receive the catcher’s throw.

The Red Sox believe the one-knee-down catcher’s stance helps in all aspects and are adamant about keeping it as a part of their game plan. As it pertains to throwing out runners, Cora said the Sox are working to improve.

“With the running game, they’ve been very aggressive,” Cora said of the Tigers. “Something they haven’t done the whole season. But we’ll be prepared. We’ll keep working on it.”

Pujols fan

Xander Bogaerts, who played his 1,000th major league game on Thursday, said he came up through the Red Sox system idolizing Albert Pujols, who was released by the Angels.

“I remember when I was in Greenville, I used to hit like Pujols, his batting stance,” Bogaerts said. “Obviously, at that time he was definitely in his prime. He’s had such an amazing career and my batting stance was like him for a period of time.”

From 2001-11 with the Cardinals, Pujols hit .328 with a .420 on-base percentage, 445 home runs, a .617 slugging percentage, and a whopping 1.037 OPS. His run in St. Louis included two World Series titles, three National League MVPs, and two Gold Gloves.

While he reached many milestones as a member of the Angels from 2012-21, including 3,000 hits, Pujols never came close to duplicating his previous level of production, making just one All-Star team.

In 92 plate appearances this season, Pujols hit .198 with five homers.

“He’s had a tremendous career,” Bogaerts said. “It’s just sad what happened over there. I don’t know all the details, but it’s definitely really sad.”
Workman signed

The Red Sox announced that they have signed Brandon Workman to a minor league deal.

Workman was drafted by the Sox in the second round in 2010. The righthanded reliever made his major league debut in 2013 and was a part of the big league roster for parts of six seasons.

In 2019, Workman had a breakout season, posting a 1.88 ERA to go along with 104 strikeouts in 71⅔ innings. The Sox traded Workman in August 2020 along with Heath Hembree to the Phillies for pitchers Nick Pivetta and Connor Seabold, each of whom have made a significant impression within the organization.


The Red Sox have assigned Workman to Triple A.

Boston Red Sox notebook: Bobby Dalbec’s slump (0-for-27) continues, Xander Bogaerts pays tribute to Albert Pujols; Danny Santana homers during rehab assignment
Updated May 06, 2021; Posted May 06, 2021

By Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com

Franchy Cordero’s slump has gotten the bulk of the attention in recent weeks, but Red Sox first baseman Bobby Dalbec is also in an all-time rut. Dalbec, who went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in Thursday’s win, is now hitless in his last 27 at-bats.

As of April 23, Dalbec was hitting .269 with a .718 OPS, but he’s now hitting just .174 with a .507 OPS. Despite his slide, manager Alex Cora doesn’t seem ready to vouch for a demotion to the minors.

“We know there’s still work to do,” Cora said. “Honestly, those conversations… we always talk about our players and what’s best for them. And right now, he has been playing a lot of first base, he has been playing a lot and we’re going to keep helping him out to get out of this. Obviously, people see the slump and they start thinking about the minor leagues but right now, it’s just keep giving him confidence, give him at-bats and see where it takes us.”

On Wednesday, hitting coach Tim Hyers said Dalbec’s struggles stemmed from a combination of pitch selection and his mechanics. The slugger’s rough start to 2021 was unexpected after a torrid spring training in which he hit seven homers in 19 games and posted a 1.165 OPS.

“There have been periods where he has had big swing-and-miss numbers,” Hyers said. “I didn’t see it like this, getting off to the start he’s off to. It’s kind of a shock to me. Coming out of spring training, I felt the swing was going to allow him to put more balls in play. I know he’s working hard to work out a few of the kinks that are causing him to lose some posture and lose some lower-half stability.”

Hyers believes Dalbec’s slump will help him down the road.

“I think he’s got to grow and learn from it,” Hyers said. “I told him last night, when you get out of this, you’re going to look back in your career and you’re going to be able to learn so much through these times going through this storm, going through this time where you are struggling.

“‘You’re going to be able to help some other young players who are going through similar phases in their game and be able to help them and be that (leader),’” Hyers said.

Bogaerts reflects on 1,000th game

Shortstop Xander Bogaerts played in his 1,000th career game Thursday and took a moment to reflect on the milestone afterwards.

“It definitely means a lot,” Bogaerts said. “I know I came a long way form the day I signed. Growing up as a kid just trying to learn how to play the game, be successful and get to the big leagues. Now I have quite some time now and quite some amount of games which is pretty impressive from a little kid just trying to get to the big leagues from Aruba. I’m extremely proud of myself and I’m thankful for everyone who helped me, especially my family, for always being there for support throughout the good and the bad.”

Bogaerts became just the 30th player in Red Sox history to reach 1,000 games with the club but only the 10th to do so before turning 29 years old. He joined Bobby Doerr, Dwight Evans, Harry Hooper, Rico Petrocelli, Jim Rice, George Scott, Reggie Smith, Tris Speaker and Carl Yastrzemski with that feat.

“If you asked me if I would have imagined playing 1,000 games, I would have been like, ‘That’s a lot.’ I definitely will take it. For you to be able to play 1,000 games in an organization, you have to be productive and be a guy who, pretty much, they can rely on. I’m happy with the player I’ve become.”

Bogaerts honors Pujols

Bogaerts also took a moment to acknowledge Albert Pujols, who was designated for assignment by the Angels on Thursday. Bogaerts pointed to Pujols as an inspiration during his minor-league days.

“I remember when I was in (Single-A) Greenville, I used to hit like Pujols,” Bogaerts said. “His batting stance. Obviously, at that time, he was in his prime. He has had such an amazing career. My batting stance was like his for a period of time when I got up to Greenville.

“It’s definitely someone that you look up to,” he continued. “You just want to be the same good as him. It’s just a dream that you have, being as good as him. He has had a tremendous career. It’s sad, what happened over there. I don’t know all the details but that’s definitely real sad.”

Whitlock’s usage may vary

Rule 5 righty Garrett Whitlock pitched on two days rest Wednesday night, the first time he had pitched with fewer than four days rest so far this season. In the first 29 games of the year, Whitlock only threw seven times (14 ⅓ innings).

His role is still evolving, Cora said, but the preference is to have him toss multiple innings at a time.

“The beauty of our season, it seems like every game, we have a chance to win the game,” Cora said. “It gets to the point during the season where it’s a close game and you go to those guys. We feel really good about his stuff and how it plays with certain teams. In a perfect world, whenever Matt pitches, he goes multiple innings. Whenever Garrett pitches, he goes multiple innings and we spread them out. As you know, it’s not a perfect world.”

Whitlock gave up the game-winning, three-run homer to Jeimer Candelario on Wednesday night and was pretty dejected after the game. After starting his big-league career with 13 ⅓ scoreless innings, Whitlock has had two straight bumpy outings, allowing homers in each.

“It’s part of this. It’s part of being a big leaguer. You’re going to have good day and bad days,” Cora said. “He should be okay.”

“It’s baseball,” Whitlock said. “That’s the best thing about it is you always get tomorrow and like I said, I’m just thankful to be here so each time (Cora) gives me the ball, I’m going to go out and give it the best I can and try and help the team win.”

Santana homers for Greenville

Utility man Danny Santana, who is rehabbing his way back form a foot infection at High-A Greenville, was 3-for-4 with a home run Wednesday afternoon as the Drive beat Bowling Green, 7-5, in the first game of a doubleheader. Santana’s third-inning shot came off righty Jacob Lopez.

Orioles up next

The Red Sox will hit the road again starting Friday, when they’ll start their third series of the year against the Orioles. Baltimore swept Boston at Fenway Park on opening weekend but the Red Sox returned the favor a week later at Camden Yards. Here are the pitching probables:

Friday, 7:05 p.m. ET -- LHP Eduardo Rodriguez vs. RHP Matt Harvey

Saturday, 7:05 p.m. ET -- RHP Garrett Richards vs. TBA

Sunday, 1:05 p.m. ET -- RHP Nick Pivetta vs. RHP Dean Kremer

Monday, 7:05 p.m. ET -- LHP Martín Pérez vs. RHP Jorge López

The Dark Knight rises: Ex-Mets ace Matt Harvey continues comeback as Orioles host 1st-place Red Sox
Updated 7:58 AM; Today 7:57 AM

By Mike Rosenstein | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Former New York Mets ace Matt Harvey continues his comeback on Friday when the Baltimore Orioles host the first-place Boston Red Sox. Harvey has won his last three starts, pitching at least five innings in each game and giving up three runs or less in each appearance.

This will be the third time Harvey faces the Red Sox this season. His only loss in 2021 came on April 8 vs. Boston, when he gave up a season-high four runs in five innings of work.

Harvey’s best start came on April 26 vs. the New York Yankees, when he pitched a season-high six innings and gave up just one run on three hits.

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Harvey signed a minor-league deal with the Orioles in February after playing in 2020 for the Kansas City Royals, going 0-3 with an 11.57 ERA in seven games.

Harvey was an All-Star with the Mets in 2013 and finished fourth that year in National League Cy Young Award voting. He won a career-best 13 games in 2015, helping the Mets reach the World Series (which they lost to the Royals).

Injuries then derailed the 32-year-old Harvey’s career, with the Mets eventually trading him to the Cincinnati Reds in 2018.

Here’s what you need to know about Harvey’s start tonight at Camden Yards, with game time set for 7:05 p.m. ET:

Boston Red Sox (19-13, first in the AL East) vs. Baltimore Orioles (15-16, fifth in the AL East)

PITCHING PROBABLES

Red Sox: Eduardo Rodriguez (4-0, 4.18 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 31 strikeouts)

Orioles: Matt Harvey (3-1, 4.07 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 22 strikeouts)