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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 9, 2021 13:44:55 GMT -5
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 9, 2021 13:52:57 GMT -5
Game 89: Phillies at Red Sox lineups and pregame notesBy Andrew Mahoney Globe Staff,Updated July 9, 2021, 1 hour ago After going 3-3 on their West Coast trip, the Red Sox return to Fenway to close out the first half of the season with a three-game series with the Phillies before heading into the All-Star break. The two teams already faced each other in May, with the Red Sox taking two of three in Philadelphia. Lineups PHILLIES (42-43): 1. Jean Segura (R) 2B 2. J.T. Realmuto (R) C 3. Bryce Harper (L) DH 4. Andrew McCutchen (R) LF 5. Brad Miller (L) RF 6. Rhys Hoskins (R) 1B 7. Didi Gregorius (L) SS 8. Alec Bohm (R) 3B 9. Travis Jankowski (L) CF Pitching: RHP Vince Velasquez (3-3, 4.50 ERA) RED SOX (54-34): 1. Enrique Hernandez (R) CF 2. Alex Verdugo (L) LF 3. J.D. Martinez (R) DH 4. Xander Bogaerts (R) SS 5. Rafael Devers (L) 3B 6. Hunter Renfroe (R) RF 7. Christian Arroyo (R) 2B 8. Christian Vazquez (R) C 9. Bobby Dalbec (R) 1B Pitching: RHP Garrett Richards (4-5, 4.88 ERA) Time: 7:10 p.m. TV, radio: NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7 Phillies vs. Richards: Gregorius 1-3, Harper 0-2, McCutchen 0-2, Miller 5-18, Segura 2-8 Red Sox vs. Velasquez: Bogaerts 3-7, Dalbec 0-2, Devers 1-4, Gonzalez 1-3, Hernández 0-1, Martinez 1-6, Renfroe 0-7, Verdugo 0-4, Vázquez 0-1 Stat of the day: Devers is second in MLB with 71 RBIs, trailing Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s 73. Notes: The Red Sox are 27-17 at Fenway. … In his last start. Richards allowed two runs in five-plus innings. In his previous four starts (16⅔ innings), he allowed 17 earned runs as his ERA went from 3.88 on June 6 to a 4.96 ERA on June 28. … Velasquez is coming off one of his worst outing of the season, when he allowed five runs on a season-high nine hits, with three walks and four strikeouts, over six innings in an 11-1 loss at San Diego. In four career appearances (three starts) against the Red Sox, Velasquez is 1-0 with a 4.91 ERA. George Thorogood And The Destroyers - Who Do You Lovewww.youtube.com/watch?v=Bbk4ojGyZbY
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 9, 2021 14:00:41 GMT -5
Santana gone is a plus Chavis back sure as hell is not.
Chris Cotillo @chriscotillo 3m Red Sox announce roster moves: * Kevin Plawecki activated from IL * Connor Wong optioned to WooSox * Danny Santana placed on 10-day IL (left quad strain) * Michael Chavis called up from WooSox
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 9, 2021 14:18:45 GMT -5
Declan Power @declanpower44 · 19m Replying to @chriscotillo How many options does chavis have?
Chris Cotillo @chriscotillo · 19m # of options refers to how many years in which teams can option you. So he can go up and down an unlimited amount of times in 3 different seasons. This is the 2nd of those 3 years.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 9, 2021 14:58:07 GMT -5
It is considering the Yankees are a complete fraud.
Chris Cotillo @chriscotillo · 23m Kiké Hernández not pleased that the Red Sox are playing the Yankees in the only game on the schedule for Thursday:
"I guess 28 teams need four days off and two teams don't, so whatever."
For the record, this is kind of dumb/strange... Sox at Yankees on Thursday night is the only MLB game of that day.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 9, 2021 15:01:58 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 37m Cora said there are no restrictions on Marwin Gonzalez. Dealt with right hamstring tightness during the Angels series. #RedSox
Cora said Chris Sale will throw two innings of live BP in Fort Myers on Saturday. If his health checks out on Sunday, he could begin a rehab assignment next week. #RedSox
Alex Cora confirms the roster moves. (Jonny Miller goes straight to the source, not Twitter/his email).
Cora expects to start on time against the Phillies at 710 pm tonight. #RedSox
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 9, 2021 15:02:45 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 41m Cora with some extended comments on Hernandez playing more center field than second base.
'I knew he was a good player. I didn't know he was this good of a center fielder to be honest with you.' #RedSox
Cora on the final series before the All-Star break -- 'We all have that challenge. I do believe being at home is very important for the last three. When you're on the road you're thinking, 'How am I going to get to wherever.'' #RedSox
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Post by scrappyunderdog on Jul 9, 2021 22:00:13 GMT -5
11-3 lead, and Andriese walks the first batter. You need a FB down the middle. We picked up Rios and Workman for nothing, and both of them have passed Andriese.
Good recovery by Richards. This looked like it might be a bad game after 3 runs in the first two innings, but Richards did just enough to survive. I like that. Sometimes you have to rely on the offense to bail you out, but you have to be able to keep a lid on the other team.
Important, imo, that we were able to close out the game, using 4 RPs, but none of our key guys. That makes them available to bail out the starter on Saturday and/or Sunday.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 10, 2021 3:09:07 GMT -5
'He's relentless': Sox drub Phils behind J.D. 1:32 AM ADT Ian Browne
Ian Browne @ianmbrowne
BOSTON -- For the Red Sox, the pre All-Star break portion of the season is pretty much ending just as it started: With J.D. Martinez on fire.
After his epic April (1.175 OPS), Martinez dipped slightly in May and a little more for much of June as he described himself in “grind-it-out” mode.
Now, he is back to what he does best -- grinding pitchers into the ground.
In leading the Sox to an 11-5 victory over the Phillies on Friday night at Fenway Park, Martinez hammered a three-run homer into the visiting bullpen and capped an 11-pitch at-bat with an RBI double.
Though Martinez is one of the most complex hitters in the game -- to the point that every swing he takes in batting practice is recorded on an iPad -- the right-handed-hitting masher thinks the key to his recent resurgence has been simplifying his approach.
“Just trying to keep it simple,” said Martinez. “Use my hands. And it kind of sounds dumb, but go up there and just play pepper with the ball with my hands right now. Just, it quiets my body down and I’m just trying to go out there and see how I can put the barrel on the ball, really.”
Before Martinez started barreling the baseball again, he needed to regain his plate discipline.
“It starts with controlling the strike zone,” said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. “At one point there, he only had one walk in 70 at-bats. He started getting his walks, he started driving the ball to right field. He's still probably the most respected hitter in our lineup.
“The opposition, they see him, and it's still J.D. Martinez. He had some great at-bats. Even the home run, he check-swings and it's a foul ball. He kept fouling pitches off, fouling pitches off. He gets a good pitch and drives it to right-center. That's who J.D. is. I'm just glad that he is who he is. He's relentless.”
Martinez demonstrated his relentless approach perfectly in his 11-pitch encounter against Enyel De Los Santos in the third. It was Martinez’s longest plate appearance since June 29, 2017, and the longest plate appearance for an extra-base hit in his career.
“It was a good battle,” Martinez said. “Like I said, just up there trying to just find a barrel on the ball, trying not to chase. Just try to stay within the strike zone. I don’t know. I was really just trying to be short to the ball the whole at-bat.”
The All-Star slugger has now reached base in each of his last 26 games -- the longest current streak in the Majors. In his last 11 games, Martinez is hitting .316 with a 1.203 OPS (12-for-38, 10 runs, three doubles, triple, four homers, 10 walks).
Aside from the strong swings and relentless at-bats by Martinez, there were a couple of other interesting takeaways from Friday’s win, in which the Red Sox improved their record to 55-34.
Kiké’s latest leadoff blast It took Kiké Hernández a while to find his place in Boston’s batting order, but the vetertan has officially found his niche.
His thing is to hit leadoff homers. He did it again on Friday night, ripping Vince Velasquez’s third pitch -- a 93.7-mph heater -- over the Green Monster.
Of Hernández’s 11 homers this season, five have led off the first inning. Four of those leadoff homers have come since June 27. All but three of his homers this season have led off an inning.
“Good swing,” said Cora. “Obviously that first inning didn't go our way with Garrett [Richards], but instant offense. That's what we're looking for -- for him to hunt fastballs and do damage, and he's been doing that the last two homestands. He's in a good place, he's controlling the strike zone, putting good swings on the ball.”
Another mixed bag for Richards In the first couple of innings on Friday, it looked like Richards was in for another tough night. But as he’s made a habit of doing lately, the righty found himself mid-start.
After giving up three runs and five hits over the first two innings, Richards finished his performance with three scoreless innings, snapping an eight-start winless streak in the process.
“I’m starting to figure some things out. Sequence-wise, grip- and hand-position wise,” said Richards. “Starting to figure some really good things out.”
Richards also seems to be on to why he’s getting hit hard early in games.
“I’ve been filling up the zone a lot, throwing a lot of strikes. I think that’s been a blessing and a curse to start out,” Richards said. “I feel like guys have kind of ambushed me early on in the game, you know, with balls that maybe necessarily are in the middle of the plate because I’m trying to fill up the zone so much. I think I just need to do a better job throwing quality strikes early in the count, instead of having that mindset of just filling up the zone.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 10, 2021 3:28:10 GMT -5
J.D. Martinez leads hit parade, Red Sox return to home cooking in rout of Phillies By Julian McWilliams Globe Staff,Updated July 9, 2021, 10:58 p.m.
After dropping two of their last three games against the Angels and finishing the West Coast road trip with a 3-3 record, the Sox returned to their comfort zone at Fenway.
The Sox won their ninth straight game at Fenway with an 11-5 victory Friday night over the Phillies.
Brandon Workman worked a 1-2-3 inning in the ninth, which included two strikeouts, to seal the victory. Boston is 28-17 at home this season.
“We talked about it before the season. For us to get to where we want to go, we have to make this place home field advantage again,” manager Alex Cora said afterward. The Sox were a combined 49-63 in the two previous seasons.
“We didn’t do it in 2019 and we won 84 games. And last year, it was a struggle and you saw how we ended up. We have to play well here. And we’ve been doing that.”
J.D. Martinez drove in four runs, including a go-ahead three run home run in the second inning. Martinez was one of six Red Sox with two hits each — Kiké Hernández, Alex Verdugo, Hunter Renfroe, Christian Vázquez and Bobby Dalbec were the others, as the team finished with 14 hits.
“It was a good day offensively for the team,” Martinez said. “We grinded out a lot of at-bats, spoiled some pitches and were able to take advantage of some mistakes.”
The onslaught on those mistakes began in the bottom of the first inning.
After Garrett Richards allowed a run in the top of the first inning, Hernández hit his fifth leadoff homer in a Sox uniform this season off Phillies starter Vince Velasquez in the bottom of the frame to tie it at 1. Verdugo, Martinez and Rafael Devers all drew walks to load the bases with one out, and Verdugo scored on a Renfroe fielder’s choice.
The Phillies jumped out to a 3-2 lead in the second behind three straight singles against Richards. Hernández didn’t field Didi Gregorius’s single to him in center field, allowing the Phillies shortstop to get to second on the bobble. With runners on second and third, Alec Bohm laced a single to right field that put his club back on top.
That wouldn’t be the end of the Sox, who have been a tough offensive bunch at Fenway this year, scoring 248 runs in 45 games this year at home.
Dalbec began the bottom of the second with a double to left and Verdugo walked again. That set the table for Martinez, who took a 2-2 heater from Velasquez and punched it into the right-center field bullpen for his 18th homer of the season.
Martinez, who had been scuffling at the end of June, his average dipping below .300 on June 28 for the first time since the first game of the season, is finishing this first part of the season strong. He was hitting .321 with a 1.095 OPS entering Friday and only increased both of those by game’s end.
“I feel better the last two games,” Martinez said. “Just trying to just keep it simple, use my hands. Go up there and kind of just play pepper with the ball. It quiets down my body. I’m just trying to put the barrel to the ball.”
The Sox poured it on some more in the third, starting with a solo shot by Devers to center. After a Renfroe double and Vázquez single, Velasquez’s night was over with Phillies manager Joe Girardi electing to go with Enyel De Los Santos.
The Red Sox didn’t give in against the Phillies reliever either. An RBI single by Verdugo that found its way through the right side made it 8-3, and then Martinez’s double on an 11-pitch at-bat brought the Sox run total to nine on the night. The 11-pitch at-bat by Martinez was his longest since June 29, 2017 and is tied for the longest of his career ending in an extra-base hit.
Hernández added to his RBI total in the fifth when his ground-rule double down the right field line scored Vázquez, who walked and went to second on a groundout.
Meanwhile, Richards made it through five innings after a shaky first that included a leadoff triple by Jean Segura and an RBI double by J.T. Realmuto. After struggling for much of June and July, Richards delivered his second consecutive start in which he pitched five innings, surrendering five runs total.
“I’m starting to figure some things out sequence-wise, grip,” Richards said. “I’ve been filling up the zone a lot, throwing a lot of strikes.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 10, 2021 3:30:08 GMT -5
Garrett Richards warms to the task against Phillies By Kris Rihm Globe correspondent,Updated July 10, 2021, 12:12 a.m.
With Chris Sale continuing to move closer to rehab pitching and looking as though he will return to the Red Sox sooner than later, Garrett Richards’s spot in the rotation becomes in jeopardy. In his final start before the All-Star break, Richards needed a good performance, and he put on one of his best of the year.
Richards used all four of his pitches to keep batters guessing on Friday night against the Phillies. He threw five innings, allowing three runs (all earned), seven hits, walking one, and threw four strikeouts over 85 pitches. He earned his fifth win of the year and threw three scoreless innings in the 11-5 win.
“He did a good job using his breaking ball, keeping them off balance,” Cora said. “Five [innings] was enough tonight, and the last two [games] have been solid. He went through that stretch where he struggled, but overall, I think it was a good first part of the season.”
Even with his impressive performance Richards didn’t get off to the best start.
Jean Segura hit a slider into center field for a triple on Richards’s fifth pitch of the game. On the next pitch, J.T. Realmuto doubled off the Green Monster, sending Segura home. Richards put a stop to the bleeding by getting Bryce Harper to ground out, then striking out Andrew McCutchen and Brad Miller.
Richards didn’t carry his momentum from the end of the first into the second inning but also didn’t get help from the defense when he needed it after a single from Rhys Hoskins. Didi Gregorius singled into right field but got to second base after Enrique Hernàndez couldn’t secure the ball in left field. Alec Bohm singled into right field, driving in Hoskins and Gregorius to give the Phillies a 3-2 lead.
Richards got outs on the next three batters, the last being a strikeout on Realmuto to end the inning. From there, he pitched three scoreless innings before handing over the ball to manager Alex Cora.
Richards said that he has reinvented himself since MLB’s crackdown on foreign substances.
“It’s either adapt or die at this point,” Richards said. “The good pitchers are going to figure out a way to be successful. I would like to think I’ve been in the league a long time, and I’m not here because I use rosin and sunscreen but because I’m a good pitcher.”
Cora added that Richards’s early struggles haven’t come from foreign substances.
“That didn’t come from sunscreen and rosin. He’s been doing that from day one here,” Cora said. “This is not the first time he’s given up runs in the first two innings and finished strong. The fact that he was able to put up some zeroes was huge for us.”
Richards allowed two hits from the third to the fifth innings and none in the fourth. In the fourth, Travis Jankowski grounded out to Richards; he juggled the ball but quickly recovered and got the ball to Xander Bogaerts, who turned it into a double play.
Richards said the last five starts have been “a figuring out period” for him.
“I’m learning new things about myself and about pitching,” Richards said, “I’m starting to get more comfortable with it. A lot of good has come out of this; I wouldn’t say it’s all bad. I’ve learned a lot in the past few weeks. Things are trending in the right direction. I’m growing as a pitcher and just trying to adapt and win a game every time my name is on the lineup card.”
The win was Richards’s first since May 19 against the Blue Jays. He pitched 6⅔ innings and struck out five in the Sox’ 7-2 win. Friday night was Richards’s third straight game pitching into the fifth inning; he has only pitched less than five innings four times this season.
Cora said he was impressed with how Richards pitched inside to righthanded batters throughout the game and said he will need to continue throwing that way for the rest of the season. He says Richards’s demeanor has changed, and it’s shown in the way he has pitched in the past two games.
“The way he’s talking, the way he’s acting, there’s more confidence there,” Cora said. “Hopefully, this is something for him to keep building off of.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 10, 2021 3:32:05 GMT -5
RED SOX NOTEBOOK Kiké Hernández settles into unexpected everyday role in center field for Red Sox By Julian McWilliams Globe Staff,Updated July 9, 2021, 8:00 p.m.
When Kiké Hernández signed with the Red Sox before spring training, he not only had his eyes set on being an everyday player, but also a starting second baseman.
Hernández was mainly used as a matchup guy off the bench with the Dodgers, bouncing around from position to position. But Alex Cora and the Sox believed there was room for an everyday role for Hernández, who remained one of the most sure-handed infielders in the league.
Now 89 games into the 2021 season, Hernández has, indeed, been an everyday player, starting in 69 of the 73 games in which he’s played. But 58 of them have come in center field, a position where Hernández has thrived this season.
“He’s been great,” Cora said Friday before his team’s series opener with the Phillies. “Obviously there’s an adjustment — especially here at Fenway. We expected him to play center but I do believe him not playing second has more to do with the other guys, actually. You know what Christian [Arroyo] has done, obviously Marwin [Gonzalez] defensively, he can help us. All of a sudden we fell into this rotation and he was playing center and it just felt good for us.”
Cora added the fact that Hernández can thrive at that position, too, is a testament to who he is. Heading into Friday’s game, Hernández led all center fielders in defensive runs saved with nine this year.
“I always envisioned myself playing every day and the position that I think is my best position is second base,” Hernández said. “I was lucky enough to be versatile, where I can play many positions and play one on an everyday role and not affect the team based on my defense.”
Ironically, Hernández still gets most of his work done in the infield when it comes to drills and fundamental work. When hitters begin taking batting practice, that’s when Hernández shifts to the outfield so he could get live reads off the bat. Hernández told Cora that’s how he preferred to work after signing with the Red Sox.
“For me, personally, I benefit the most out of staying sharp in the infield, taking ground balls and all that,” Hernández said. “And then when it comes to getting live reads, that’s when I do my outfield work, because that’s when that’s what I feel like is going to happen in the game and it’s the most realistic work that I can get.” Hernández unhappy with scheduling
Hernández isn’t happy about the Red Sox schedule coming out of the All-Star break. The All-Star Game will take place Tuesday and players will travel back to Boston the next day. Every team will have a day off Thursday except for the Sox and Yankees, who begin a four-game set at Fenway.
“I’m obviously not an All-Star,” Hernández said. “The Red Sox have and I definitely feel we needed that fourth day. For the guys that made the All-Star team, it sucks. But, hey, MLB likes money. Red Sox-Yankees makes money.”
As part of Major League Baseball’s deal with ESPN, there were single Thursday games coming out of the All-Star break in 2018 and ‘19. There was no All-Star Game last year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Sale to throw again Saturday
Chris Sale will throw a simulated game of two innings Saturday in Fort Myers. If everything goes well, Sale could begin a rehab stint.
“We’ll wait till Sunday and hopefully we get good news that he feels great,” Cora said. “Then we’ll make a decision about what he’s going to do next week.” . . . Catcher Kevin Plawecki was reinstated from the 10-day injured list. To make room for Plawecki, the Sox optioned catcher Connor Wong to Triple-A Worcester. Also, Danny Santana (left quad strain) was placed on the 10-day IL. The Sox recalled Michael Chavis from Worcester to fill Santana’s spot.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 10, 2021 3:34:30 GMT -5
Sean McAdam @sean_McAdam · 7h Red Sox have scored 52 runs in their last 43 innings at Fenway.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 10, 2021 3:41:24 GMT -5
Alex Speier @alexspeier · 9h Hernández now has 5 homers leading off the first this year, tied for third most ever in a season by a Red Sox. Nomar (7 in 1997) and Mookie (6 in 2016) are the only players ahead of him.
The 11-pitch at-bat resulting in a double by Martinez was 1) his longest at-bat since 6/29/2017 and 2) tied for the longest at-bat ending in an extra-base hit in his career.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 10, 2021 3:44:58 GMT -5
Kiké Hernandez feeling more comfortable in everyday role as Red Sox CF: ‘I’m still getting better’ Hernandez has made 53 starts as CF
By Steve Hewitt | stephen.hewitt@bostonherald.com | Boston Herald PUBLISHED: July 9, 2021 at 6:05 p.m. | UPDATED: July 9, 2021 at 6:11 p.m.
After six seasons of mostly coming off the bench for the Dodgers, Kiké Hernández signed with the Red Sox seeking an everyday job. He’s found that, but not in the position he may have expected.
The Red Sox had plans to make Hernández their full-time second baseman and play him in center field occasionally, but it’s turned out to be the other way around. Hernandez has now made 53 starts in center and 16 at second, a product of Christian Arroyo’s emergence but also how comfortable Hernandez has gotten in center.
Playing for a new team in a new league and a new home ballpark required an adjustment period for Hernandez, but he seems to have found his stride over the last few weeks. Entering Friday, he ranked third among MLB outfielders with nine defensive runs saved, and he’s been a critical piece of a Red Sox outfield that leads baseball with 28 assists. That consistent playing time has helped him get into a groove at the plate, too, as he’s hitting .317 with four homers and 10 walks in 11 games since returning to the leadoff spot on June 27.
“I always envisioned myself playing every day in the position that I think is my best position, which is second base, and I’m lucky enough to be versatile where I can play many positions and play one in an everyday role,” Hernandez said. “I always said I care more about the starting lineup than the defensive positioning, so center field, it’s what allows me to play every day and make the team better as far as our defensive alignment and all that, so I’m all for it. We’re in first place, I’m playing everyday center field and we’re playing good baseball. Can’t ask for more. …
“I’m still getting better. I didn’t start off the way I wanted to. It became a little bit of an adjustment period and once I slowed everything down, slowed my mind and everything else down, and the weather started warming up a little bit, everything else started happening for me. I started getting used to center field on a daily basis. … I feel like I’m a lot more confident now than I was at the beginning of the season playing center field.”
Alex Cora has been impressed, even more so because Hernandez’s outfield drill work extends to him shagging in center during batting practice before games. Hernandez said it’s the most realistic way of preparing for reads and a tricky Fenway Park outfield, and so far it’s worked.
“I didn’t know he was this good a center fielder, to be honest with you,” Cora said. “I knew about the jumps that he was elite at it. But his routes are solid. His arm always played. Expectations-wise, I thought he was a solid center fielder. He’s solid all over the place, but he’s been above average.”
Sale set for next session
Chris Sale will pitch to live hitters again in another two-inning session in Fort Myers on Saturday, potentially the final step before he’s ready for a rehab assignment. The Red Sox ace continued to feel good after his last session on Tuesday, and the team is hopeful for another encouraging day as they target an August return.
“Hopefully we get good news that he feels great,” Cora said. “Then we’ll make decisions about what he’s going to do next week.”
Santana heads to IL
The Red Sox made a flurry of roster moves before Friday’s game, including sending Danny Santana to the 10-day injured list with a left quad strain. The utility man came up limping while running out a play against the Angels on Tuesday night. Michael Chavis was brought back up to fill his spot.
Backup catcher Kevin Plawecki was reinstated from the injured list after he suffered a left hamstring strain. Connor Wong, who was impressive in his place, was optioned back to Worcester.
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