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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 11, 2021 15:13:10 GMT -5
Chris Cotillo @chriscotillo · 5m JD Martinez is in the lineup -- as of now -- but Cora thinks that might change pregame. "We'll see how he feels."
Matt Barnes will join Martín Pérez for a rehab outing in Worcester tomorrow. Cora thinks Barnes will need 2 rehab outings and will be back over the weekend. Pérez might be 1, might be 2 rehab outings.
No decision yet on Sawamura.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 11, 2021 18:14:48 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 59m Danny Santana returns to the COVID-19 Related IL. Jack Lopez now on the roster.
Meanwhile, JD Martinez scratched from the lineup again.
New lineup: Hernández 2B, Schwarber LF, Bogaerts SS, Devers 3B, Renfroe RF, Verdugo CF, Dalbec 1B, Shaw DH, Vázquez C, and Seabold RHP.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 11, 2021 18:45:41 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 1m Deep to RF for Leury Garcia and the Red Sox trail, 2-0.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 12, 2021 2:34:49 GMT -5
Red Sox Place Danny Santana On COVID List, Select Jack Lopez
By Mark Polishuk | September 11, 2021 at 5:18pm CDT
Just four days after Danny Santana was reinstated from the COVID-related injury list, the Red Sox have sent the utilityman back to the COVID-IL. Infielder Jack Lopez has had his contract selected from Triple-A, and Lopez will take Santana’s spot on the active roster.
Santana has tested positive for COVID-19, MLB.com’s Ian Browne reports (via Twitter), so he will miss at least 10 days while quarantined. Santana previously spent only two days on the COVID-IL due to symptoms, rather than any positive tests. He now becomes the latest Red Sox player to test positive in what has been a long-lasting outbreak within the Boston clubhouse. While some players have started to return to action, Santana is the tenth Sox player currently on the team’s COVID list.
After an elbow injury limited Santana to 15 games with the Rangers in 2020, health issues have again plagued the utilityman in his first season in Boston. Between a foot infection, a left quad strain, a left groin strain, and his two COVID-IL stints, Santana has appeared in just 38 games for the Red Sox, and batted only .181/.252/.345 in 127 plate appearances. Santana’s minor league contract became a guaranteed deal worth $1.75MM when he made the big league roster, though a reunion between Santana and the Sox doesn’t seem very likely in 2022.
This is the second time Lopez has been selected to Boston’s roster in the midst of this coronavirus outbreak, resulting in the 28-year-old getting to make his Major League debut after nine seasons in the minors. A 16th-round pick for the Royals in the 2011 draft, Lopez has spent much of his career in Kansas City’s farm system before moving to the Braves’ organization in 2019 and then signing with the Sox this past offseason. Lopez hit .167/.231/.333 in his first 15 PA as a big leaguer.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 12, 2021 2:42:08 GMT -5
After miscue, fine glovework saves Red Sox 2:24 AM ADT Ian Browne
Sep 12, 2021
· CHICAGO -- Saturday night turned out to be a much different kind of glove story for the Red Sox.
This time, when the pressure got the highest, manager Alex Cora’s team came through with some stalwart defense that made a thrilling and clutch 9-8 victory over the White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field possible.
In the fourth inning, Rafael Devers rushed himself and turned a potential inning-ending double play into a costly error that led to the White Sox scoring five unearned runs to tie the game. It seemed recent history was about to repeat itself.
Just five days earlier, a series of defensive miscues led to the collapsing of a 7-1 lead in a tough 11-10 loss to the Rays.
But not this time, said the Red Sox.
With two outs in the bottom of the 10th and the tying run on third base, Brian Goodwin placed a grounder to the second-base hole that looked like it was going to sneak through for a hit. But Kiké Hernández ranged over to snag it, and then fired to first, where rookie Bobby Dalbec made a tremendous stretch to corral the thrilling final out.
“Yeah, I thought there was a chance it would get through once it got past Bobby, and then Kiké made a great play on it and Bobby made a great play to pick up the throw,” said lefty reliever Josh Taylor. “All around, it was good defensive execution there in the last inning.”
And before that, also.
Alex Verdugo, the culprit of some of those tough defensive plays last homestand, raced back in the sixth to make a leaping catch against the wall in center against Goodwin.
Team leader Xander Bogaerts, playing in his second game after missing eight due to a positive COVID-19 test, lunged up the middle to make a brilliant diving stop to take a hit away from Cesar Hernández to open the bottom of the ninth.
What did the win tell Cora about his team?
“That when we play defense, we become a really good team. In the second part of the game we played great defense,” said Cora. “We put ourselves in a bad spot not turning a ground ball into an out and they came back. But one thing’s for sure: Regardless of what’s going on here, they’re going to keep bringing it and they’re going to keep playing. That’s the bottom line.”
Amid a COVID-19 outbreak that started on Aug. 27 and continued into Saturday (switch-hitting reserve Danny Santana tested positive a few hours before the game), the Red Sox have managed to hang in there, going 8-7 in the last 15 games.
In this battle for survival in the standings, Boston just might be weathering the storm.
With 18 games left, the 81-63 Red Sox are atop the American League Wild Card standings, holding a one-game lead over both the Blue Jays and the Yankees.
The A’s and Mariners are both two games behind Toronto and New York for the second slot. The stretch run should be fierce with five teams bunched up together for two spots.
“You know, it’s tough right now -- we’re not playing with [all of] our guys right now,” said Taylor. “We’re still finding ways to keep games close. We’re in a good spot right now and we just need to keep going. We have, what, 18 more games? We need to keep winning games and keep it close and once we get our guys back, we’ll be full strength.”
Some of the attrition has put different players into pressurized roles. That was the case for Taylor on Saturday, as he was asked to protect a one-run lead in the 10th, which is never easy with the automatic runner.
It became even tougher when Yasmani Grandal led off with a single, putting runners at the corners with nobody out.
Yet Taylor dug deep and stranded the tying run by getting two strikeouts and then that highlight-reel ender of a play on the right side of the infield to earn his first career save.
“It was exhilarating, to say the least,” said Taylor. “It was awesome. You get put in those situations and you get that extra tick you didn’t think you had. I just felt like I was able to make my pitches tonight.”
While the bullpen -- led by two more big innings by winning pitcher Garrett Whitlock (1.81 ERA) -- and the defense took center stage in the late innings, the offense did plenty in this game.
This, thanks in large part to Travis Shaw, who was only in the lineup because J.D. Martinez (back) was a late scratch for the second straight day. Shaw went deep for a three-run rocket during a seven-run third inning that knocked out White Sox starter Dylan Cease. And in the 10th, he came through with the RBI single to right that put Boston up for good.
“I try to stay ready just in case something like this happens,” said Shaw. “You never know when this could happen, especially late in the year. Guys are grinding a little bit on their bodies, so I stayed ready and thankfully had a good night.”
Ultimately, it turned into a very good night for the Red Sox when, at one point, it seemed like it would be the opposite.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 12, 2021 2:44:40 GMT -5
Pivetta cleared to join team, pitch finale September 11th, 2021 Ian Browne
Ian Browne @ianmbrowne
CHICAGO -- One week after the Red Sox placed Nick Pivetta on the COVID-19 injured list, the righty will start Sunday’s finale of a three-game road series against the White Sox.
Pivetta was cleared to fly to Chicago on Saturday.
The reason Pivetta is able to come back so soon is because he was vaccinated earlier this season, so he didn’t have to stay quarantined for a minimum of 10 days.
The return of Pivetta comes at a key time for the Red Sox, who lost ace Chris Sale for likely two turns in the rotation due to the lefty ace testing positive for COVID on Thursday.
For Pivetta, this will be his first start since Aug. 30, meaning he will be pitching on 12 days of rest.
There wasn’t much that Pivetta could do to ramp up over the last week, so it will be interesting to see how he performs on Sunday.
“As you know, they have to be isolated. A lot of repetitions in the room, I guess,” said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. “He’ll toss today out there with us.”
For the season, Pivetta is 9-7 with a 4.67 ERA in 26 starts. However, he struggled in six August starts, going 1-3 with a 5.27 ERA. Perhaps the break will benefit Pivetta.
“We’re confident,” said Cora. “Kind of like, some of these guys are going to benefit, if you see it the positive way. We never want any of these guys to get COVID, but maybe it’s going to benefit him. Reset, and help us get into October.”
Dalbec on time, doing damage Rookie first baseman Bobby Dalbec has gone from one of the worst hitters on the Red Sox to one of the best. The turnaround has been startling.
In 278 at-bats from Opening Day until July 31, Dalbec had a line of .216/.260/.399 with 11 homers, 13 walks and 111 strikeouts.
In 90 at-bats from Aug. 1 through Sept. 10, Dalbec’s line was .333/.417/.778 with 10 homers, 30 RBIs, 11 walks and 27 strikeouts.
“He’s done an amazing job of being on time,” said Cora. “That’s the bottom line. Obviously last year, he was driving the ball to right-center, to right field. He hit a lot of home runs that way and this year, there were a lot of empty fly balls to right field.
“Little by little, he’s been making adjustments. At one point, he choked up. I just believe that now, he’s on time. When you do that and you recognize pitches, your swing decisions are a lot better. You’re not late. When you’re late, you make every pitch the same. The fastball, the breaking ball, the changeup, every pitch makes the same. Now there’s separation.
“And you can see it. He lands, he sees and he reacts. He’s been able to pull the ball with power and the quality of the at-bats are much, much better. The strikeout rate is going down an the walks are going up and the damage, you see it.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 12, 2021 3:00:56 GMT -5
Travis Shaw’s RBI single in 10th sends Red Sox past White Sox By Julian McWilliams Globe Staff,Updated September 11, 2021, 11:29 p.m.
CHICAGO — The Red Sox were ahead by a run in extras.
Garrett Whitlock kept the Sox in the game, turning in two scoreless innings in the eighth and ninth inning against the White Sox. Then it was Josh Taylor’s turn in the bottom half of the 10th following Travis Shaw’s RBI single.
For a game and season that’s running low on fuel, the Red Sox desperately needed a win. While the White Sox have seemingly booked their ticket as the top squad in the American League Central, the Red Sox continue to crawl through the mud to claim a wild-card spot — much by their own doing.
So, when Taylor allowed a single to left to start the 10th, it looked as if the Red Sox would relinquish another lead. But Taylor responded, striking out the next two batters he saw and inducing a groundout to end it.
The Red Sox hung on, beating the White Sox, 9-8.
“The last three baseball games have been great as far as just showing up and doing everything possible to try to win a game regardless of the result,” manager Alex Cora said. “And that was a good one.”
No lead is ever safe these days for the Red Sox.
It hasn’t even been a week since the Red Sox let a six-run lead against the Rays slip through their grip, resulting in an 11-10 extra-inning loss on Labor Day. Saturday’s contest with the White Sox provided some version of that, but the Sox figured this one out.
The Red Sox trailed early following Leury Garcia’s two-run shot off Connor Seabold in the second inning. But a seven-run third inning, highlighted by a Dylan Cease walk to Rafael Devers to bring in the Red Sox’ first run of the contest, a two-run single by Alex Verdugo, a Bobby Dalbec RBI single, and a Travis Shaw three-run homer seemed as if it would be enough for the Red Sox to hold on. That, of course, didn’t happen.
Seabold, who made his major league debut on the hill, punched in just three innings. Manager Alex Cora then went to Garrett Richards, hoping that he could eat some innings for the Sox. Nevertheless, Richards was dealt some misfortune as a result of his team’s sloppy play in the field and a tantalizing White Sox offense that doesn’t forgive those mistakes.
With one out in the fourth and a runner on first, Devers, who was playing shortstop on the shift, booted a grounder that could have been an inning-ending double play. At the very least the force out at second should have been completed. The very next play Devers couldn’t handle a high chopper off the bat of Romy Gonzalez to load the bases. Richards then walked in a run. Later on, Luis Robert scorched a bases-clearing double. That five-run lead was now down to just one. Cora made the trip to the mound again, electing to go with Ryan Brasier. That plan didn’t work out either with Yoan Moncada delivering an RBI double to tie it, 7-7. In the fifth, Yasmani Grandal belted a solo shot, giving his team an 8-7 lead.
Still following?
The Red Sox used three pitchers in a span of five innings. All of whom threw a combined 91 pitches.
Yet in the end, the Red Sox found a way to flush falling flat in that fourth and fifth inning. Shaw, who wasn’t in the lineup until J.D. Martinez (back spasms) was a late scratch, and Taylor, who recorded his first save, shut the door.
“For me, I just continue to prepare like I’m playing every day,” Shaw said. “That’s the only way I can keep my body going.”
The Red Sox keep a one-game lead for the first wild-card spot. Sunday’s rubber match likely will be without Martinez again. Xander Bogaerts might be, too, considering he just returned from the COVID-related injured list.
For now, it’s just about surviving the blows.
“We’re in a good spot right now,” Taylor said, “and we just need to keep going. We got 18 more games. We need to keep winning games and keep it close.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 12, 2021 3:03:26 GMT -5
RED SOX NOTEBOOK Less is more as Nate Eovaldi gains success with new throwing strategy By Julian McWilliams Globe Staff,Updated September 11, 2021, 7:37 p.m.
CHICAGO — Nate Eovaldi understands the importance of rest and recovery after a start. After his second Tommy John surgery in 2016, Eovaldi adopted a new type of program while with the Rays. The righthander wouldn’t play catch a day after a start, something that’s typical for a starter. Instead, he would just go through his usual workout routine without even taking a peek at a baseball. Rays pitcher Chris Archer — who was a headline starter for the Rays at the time — lent Eovaldi some perspective on the idea.
“If you think about it, you go out there for the game and you throw about 100 pitches for the game,” Eovaldi said prior to the Red Sox’ 9-8 victory over the White Sox Saturday. “But you got all your warmup pitches, you got your throws before the game in the bullpen. You’re throwing close to 200 pitches on the night. When you come in without even 24 hours rest and play catch again, you kind of create bad habits — especially if your arm is sore and you can’t get good extension.”
The newfound program didn’t pay immediate dividends for Eovaldi. The injury bug found ways to disrupt his season, resulting in stints on the injured list. Heading into this season, Eovaldi hadn’t eclipsed 27 starts since 2015. As of Saturday, however, Eovaldi was tied for the most starts in the American League (28), tossing 163 ⅔ innings to the tune of a 3.57. His bWAR of 4.9 ranked eighth in the majors prior to Saturday. The throwing strategy, coupled with the Red Sox trainers and maturation, played a part in this.
“It definitely helps me to have been around a little bit with five different teams,” Eovaldi said. “And seeing each guy from each organization and the way they kind of do their craft. I’ve had to change the way I go about my business. This is the most I’ve kind of cut back on my open sessions where I haven’t been throwing as many pitches during my bullpens, making sure I’m fully ready.”
Essentially, less is more when it comes to Eovaldi’s success. Knowing his body and what needs to be done for it to reach its apex performance. In a season that has been marked by COVID yet again, Eovaldi has been the Sox’ best starter, steering a rotation that has lacked consistency. The Red Sox and their wild-card chase will fall partially on Eovaldi keeping pace with his quality outings. Before Saturday, there were four teams within at least one game of a wild-card spot, something Eovaldi said he enjoys.
“It’s fun, competitive,” Eovaldi said. “You’re out there watching the scoreboard seeing other teams. We just got to make sure we stay on that path.” Santana tests positive
Danny Santana tested positive for COVID-19. He’s the 11th Sox player to test positive since Aug. 27. To fill Santana’s spot, Jack López was selected from Triple A Worcester … Matt Barnes and Martin Pérez will pitch in Worcester Sunday. Pérez threw a bullpen there Saturday. Manager Alex Cora said it’s likely that Barnes will need two outings while Pérez would need just one … J.D. Martinez was scratched from the lineup again Saturday as he continues to deal with back spasms … Christian Arroyo is still on the shelf as he continues to work his way back from COVID-19 and is going through certain tests … Nick Pivetta will start Sunday in the Sox’ series finale vs. the White Sox.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 12, 2021 3:07:43 GMT -5
Julian McWilliams @byjulianmack · 4h J.D. Martinez (back spasms) will get another day of rest tomorrow.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 12, 2021 3:09:51 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 4h Four of the last five Red Sox games have been decided by one run. They're 2-2 in those games.
Overall, they're 8-7 since the outbreak. Which is pretty good all things considered.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 12, 2021 3:10:38 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 4h "It might be interesting tomorrow," Alex Cora said about the lineup.
Martinez is unlikely to play and perhaps Bogaerts, too.
"Exhilarating to say the least," says Josh Taylor about his first save.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 12, 2021 3:14:12 GMT -5
Red Sox Notebook: Nick Pivetta to return on Sunday, J.D. Martinez scratched again Martinez scratched once again
By Steve Hewitt | stephen.hewitt@bostonherald.com | Boston Herald PUBLISHED: September 11, 2021 at 7:13 p.m. | UPDATED: September 11, 2021 at 8:17 p.m.
It was just more than a year ago when the Red Sox made a trade with the Phillies for Nick Pivetta and Connor Seabold, a pair of pitchers at different stages of their career but both viewed to have a lot of potential.
A year later, they’re both starting meaningful games in September on back-to-back days under some unique circumstances as the Red Sox try to get through their COVID-19 outbreak. Pivetta, who’s been a mainstay in the rotation all season, is expected to return from the COVID-19 related injured list to start Sunday’s finale against the White Sox, while Seabold was making his major league debut on Saturday.
Pivetta tested positive for COVID-19 last Monday but was feeling well enough to join the team in Chicago on Saturday and return before the usual 10-day isolation period. He was initially slated to start Saturday, but with Chris Sale, who was supposed to start Sunday, testing positive for COVID, Seabold started Saturday to give Pivetta an extra day.
Pivetta couldn’t do much while isolated over the last week, but was able to get some work in on Saturday and manager Alex Cora was confident he could start. Pivetta owned a 10.13 ERA in his last three starts before testing positive, and Cora is hopeful he can turn it around over the final weeks of the season.
“Some of these guys are going to benefit, if you see it the positive way,” Cora said. “We never want any of these guys to get COVID, but maybe it’s going to benefit him. Reset, and help us get into October.”
Martinez scratched again
J.D. Martinez, who was a late scratch from Friday’s lineup with back spasms, was back in the lineup on Saturday. But his pregame work apparently didn’t go well because he was scratched again about an hour before first pitch.
The Red Sox are being cautious with Martinez, especially with less than a month left in the season and in the thick of a playoff race.
“I talked to him last night and today and said, ‘We need you healthy. If you can’t go today, it’s not a big deal. I’d rather lose you for two days than lose you for a week,’” Cora said.
Santana tests positive
Danny Santana tested positive for COVID-19, according to multiple reports, and was placed on the IL about an hour before first pitch as the Red Sox’ outbreak continued. Santana was also on the COVID-19 IL last week, but was only experiencing symptoms and did not test positive. Jack Lopez was recalled to fill his place.
Eleven Red Sox players have tested positive for COVID-19 since Aug. 27.
In other COVID-related news: Matt Barnes, who had joined the team in Chicago and threw a bullpen there, will go on a rehab assignment in Worcester. Barnes and Martin Perez will both pitch in Sunday’s game, and Barnes will likely need two games before returning to the Red Sox, so he’ll most likely come back next weekend.
“Barnes was here yesterday, threw a bullpen and felt like he needs to go face some hitters,” Cora said. “That’s the best for him and the best for the team.”
Hirokazu Sawamura also threw a bullpen on Friday, but they don’t know what the next step with him is yet.
“There’s a few things we have to make sure we get clear medically,” Cora said. “Nothing to be alarmed of, but part of the process. So obviously on the road is a little different than home so we’re going through that and we’ll see where we’re at.”
Jarren Duran is feeling better, Cora said. The rookie outfielder is nearing the end of his 10-day quarantine after testing positive on Sept. 3. Cora said Christian Arroyo is also feeling better, but there’s no timetable on his return yet after he was hit hard with COVID.
“There’s a few things with him with the way he felt throughout,” Cora said. “We have to make sure he’s OK.”
Santana was added to the COVID-19 IL on Saturday for the second time in the last week.
Dalbec stays on time
Bobby Dalbec started getting hot at the beginning of August and he hasn’t slowed down since. The first baseman entered Saturday with a 1.198 OPS since July 31, the highest in the majors. Cora believes it’s all rooted in his improved timing on his swings.
“When you do that and you recognize pitches, your swing decisions are a lot better,” Cora said. “You’re not late. When you’re late, you make every pitch the same. The fastball, the breaking ball, the changeup, every pitch makes the same. Now there’s separation. And you can see it. He lands, he sees and he reacts. He’s been able to pull the ball with power and the quality of the at-bats are much, much better. …
“It’s been a grind. He had expectations coming into the season and at the end, it’s 162 and what he’s doing now, if you told me before the season that at this stage, he’s going to have these numbers, you take it, right? You take it.”
Cora didn’t rule out the chance that Kyle Schwarber’s presence after he was acquired at the trade deadline has lit a fire under Dalbec.
“If competition put him on time, thank God,” Cora said. “Thank you to competition. It’s just an adjustment, honestly, and we were talking about it the whole time. The whole season. Sometimes it takes a while.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 12, 2021 3:17:24 GMT -5
Boston Red Sox COVID updates: Nick Pivetta will start Sunday; Matt Barnes, Martín Pérez joining WooSox for rehab outings Updated: Sep. 11, 2021, 9:32 p.m. | Published: Sep. 11, 2021, 9:30 p.m.
By Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com
CHICAGO -- Nick Pivetta will start for the Red Sox in Sunday’s series finale against the White Sox, manager Alex Cora said Saturday. Pivetta tested positive for COVID-19 early last week but has been cleared by Major League Baseball and will be activated before Sunday’s game.
Because Pivetta is vaccinated against COVID-19, he was eligible -- as long as he remained asymptomatic -- to resume action before he reached the usual 10-day minimum for players on the COVID-19 IL. The righty played catch in the outfield before Saturday’s game.
Pivetta last pitched Aug. 30, so Sunday’s start will come on 11 days rest. Cora thinks the extended layoff could benefit Pivetta, who was scratched from his scheduled start Sunday due to COVID-19-related matters.
“We’re confident,” Cora said. “Some of these guys are going to benefit from — if you see it the positive way, you never want any of these guys to get COVID — but maybe it’s going to benefit him. Reset, finish strong and help us get into October.”
Pivetta owns a 9-7 record and 4.67 ERA in 26 starts for the Red Sox this season.
Barnes, Pérez joining WooSox
Sox relievers Matt Barnes and Martín Pérez will both make rehab appearances for the WooSox at Polar Park on Sunday, Cora said. Pérez threw a bullpen in Worcester on Friday; Barnes traveled back from Chicago to Massachusetts on Saturday.
Barnes last pitched Aug. 29 and tested positive for COVID-19 a day later. He threw a bullpen at Guaranteed Rate Field on Friday; Cora believes Barnes will need two rehab appearances in Worcester and could rejoin the Red Sox next weekend at home when they welcome the Orioles to to town.
“He threw a bullpen and we felt like he needs to go face some hitters,” Cora said. “It’s the best for him, and obviously the best for the team.”
Pérez, who also tested positive on Aug. 30, might just need one outing in Worcester, Cora said. The Red Sox could activate Pérez early next week for their series in Seattle because he matches up well with some of the Mariners’ dangerous lefties.
Sawamura not yet cleared
Reliever Hirokazu Sawamura (tested positive Aug. 31) worked out for the second straight day Saturday in Chicago but has still not been activated. Sawamura threw a bullpen Friday and could return soon.
“There’s a few things we need to make sure we get clear medically,” Cora said. “Nothing to be alarmed of, but part of the process.”
Other COVID-19 updates
* Second baseman Christian Arroyo is out of quarantine and going through a series of doctor’s appointments before being cleared. Arroyo had serious symptoms after testing positive.
“There’s a few things still with him with the way he felt without,” Cora said. “We have to make sure he’s okay.”
* Outfielder Jarren Duran, who tested positive last Friday, is nearing the end of his 10-day quarantine period and feeling better.
“We’ll decide what we do with him in the upcoming days,” Cora said.
* Infielder Yairo Muñoz returned to Boston after ending his quarantine period. Cora said the plan is for him to rejoin the WooSox when he is cleared.
* Infielder Jonathan Araúz is still testing negative, Cora said. Araúz was placed on the COVID-19 IL on Friday after experiencing symptoms.
* Lefty Chris Sale and infielder/outfielder Danny Santana each tested positive over the last two days and are at the beginning of their quarantine periods. Currently, the Red Sox have 10 players on the COVID-19 IL.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 12, 2021 3:18:31 GMT -5
Travis Shaw has 4 RBIs, game-winning hit in dramatic Boston Red Sox win: ‘That was a very under-the-radar pickup,’ Alex Cora says Updated: 12:54 a.m. | Published: 12:48 a.m.
By Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com
CHICAGO -- In his second stint with the Red Sox, Travis Shaw’s role is much different than it was in the first. But despite the fact he’s playing much less than he did five years ago, Shaw is still making a huge impact.
Shaw, who the Sox claimed from the Brewers on Aug. 15, had a big offensive night Saturday in Boston’s dramatic 9-8 win over the White Sox, driving in four runs on a three-run homer in the third inning and the game-winning RBI single in the 10th. Making the performance more impressive was the fact Shaw was not originally supposed to be in Boston’s lineup; he was told he was starting less than an hour before first pitch, when back tightness caused J.D. Martinez to be scratched for the second straight night.
“He’s always ready. He’s always prepared,” said manager Alex Cora. “We know the situation with J.D. Obviously with Danny (Santana) being out, he had an idea. In (batting practice), he was at second base. I just gave him a wave and he went in and got ready. He prepared himself and he had a huge night.”
In 2016, when Shaw last suited up for the Red Sox, he played 145 games and made a total of 127 starts. Five years later, he’s in a much-different role; Saturday’s start was just Shaw’s sixth in 24 games.
The learning curve has been a steep one for Shaw, who started 48 games for the Brewers through June 9 before getting injured. With Boston, he’s a left-handed complement to the scorching-hot Bobby Dalbec at first base who gets pinch-hitting opportunities late in games.
“This is kind of the first time I’ve been in this role and I’ve tried to ask some guys who have been in this role in the past how they do it and how they stay ready,” Shaw said. “For me, I just continue to prepare like I’m playing every day. That’s the only way I can keep my body going. I try to stay up on all the pitchers and all the matchups I might face late in games with some of the relievers. For me, it’s still new. I’m still trying to get used to it.”
So far, Shaw’s second tenure with the Red Sox has been a successful one. In 17 games, the 31-year-old is 8-for-31 (.258) with three homers and 10 RBIs. He has been clutch, too, hitting a walk-off grand slam on Aug. 23 and the game-winning
“He’s a veteran guy that understands his role,” Cora said. “He’s always ready. I think that was a very under-the-radar pickup by us and he has done an amazing job.”
Saturday’s dramatic win -- during which the Red Sox blew a five-run lead -- was the latest example of the Red Sox staying afloat despite losing more than a dozen players to a widespread COVID-19 outbreak. Since Kiké Hernández became the Sox’ first player to test positive on Aug. 27, Boston is 8-7. The club heads into Sunday with sole possession of the first wild card spot in the American League.
“I think we deserve huge credit,” Shaw said. “We’ve lost a lot of guys for COVID here in the last two weeks... I think guys have stepped up. Guys getting opportunities to step in, even guys we’re calling up from Triple-A are coming up and playing a role here and have done a lot of good things here in the last two weeks.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 12, 2021 3:22:55 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 4h AL Wild Card after tonight
Red Sox 81-63 Blue Jays 79-63 Yankees 79-63 Athletics 77-65 Mariners 77-65
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