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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 7, 2022 11:17:27 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 7m Red Sox moves. Robles on the OD roster.Pete Abraham @peteabe · 3m Here’s the Red Sox roster:
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 7, 2022 13:31:10 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 50m Nate Eovaldi out of context: “I get hot and I stay hot.”
Alex Cora says RHP Eduard Bazardo is healthy. He appeared in one MLB game in spring training and didn’t appear in the first two AAA games. Seems like they were preparing for a DFA by hiding him. Now he’s out there.
Seems surprising Hansel Robles made the team after signing late, getting held up by a visa issue and getting in only two games. But he was facing hitters at the Sox academy in the DR and is ready
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 7, 2022 13:36:23 GMT -5
Chris Cotillo @chriscotillo · 51m Nate Eovaldi said he didn’t discuss an extension with the Red Sox during spring training.
Cora won’t name a set closer yet and says it’s going to be who gets hot early. The goal, he says, is to get Barnes back to that role.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 7, 2022 14:21:05 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 2m Christian Vázquez has rejoined the #RedSox after the birth of his son. He’s good to go tomorrow.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 7, 2022 14:26:15 GMT -5
Julian McWilliams @byjulianmack · 1h The Sox were encouraged with Robles and how he came out of his back-to-back outings last week.
Arauz will play Monday but Cora notes that there aren’t that many at-bats for him right now at the big league level. However the sox need his versatility early on.
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Post by Kimmi on Apr 7, 2022 14:30:02 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 23m Happy New Year to those who celebrate. ⚾️⚾️⚾️ Woot! We have baseball! No Sox baseball today, but at least we have baseball.
Let's go!
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 8, 2022 2:58:49 GMT -5
Red Sox vs. Yankees: Starting the season with baseball’s best rivalry By Peter Abraham Globe Staff,Updated April 7, 2022, 6:12 p.m.
NEW YORK — It feels like a waste, the Red Sox and Yankees meeting on Opening Day here Friday afternoon. The first game of the season has enough energy no matter the opponent. It doesn’t need the extra spice of baseball’s best rivalry.
The Red Sox were supposed to open at home against Tampa Bay on March 31 before the lockout pushed the season back a week. So Game 1 instead will be Nate Eovaldi vs. Gerrit Cole.
The Yankees made a wise move pushing the game back a day. A steady rain pelted the Bronx all afternoon Thursday as temperatures fell into the low 50s. The forecast is for sun Friday.
It will be a rematch of the American League Wild Card Game from last Oct. 5 that the Red Sox won, 6-2. Cole allowed three runs before being taken out of the game in the third inning to the delight of a bloodthirsty crowd at Fenway Park.
Cole acknowledged that game took a while to get over.
“It’s a sour taste in your mouth,” he said. “It’s just a frustrating game. In this sport, you take the good with the bad. As a competitor, when you lose, it kind of eats at you. There’s a part of me that always carries along the scars that we get when we fall short of what we’re trying to accomplish.”
Counting the Wild Card Game, Cole is 3-3 with a 4.65 earned run average in six starts against the Red Sox since joining the Yankees on a nine-year, $324 million deal.
“There’s certain days we get to him,” Sox manager Alex Cora said.
That has become a topic of conversation here. Cole has finished in the top four of the Cy Young voting in both of his seasons with the Yankees. But those games against the Sox stick out, especially the playoff game.
“Pretty formidable opponent,” Cole said. “I just kind of see it as two stags locking up in the forest. Somebody’s going to break an antler every once in a while, but nobody’s certainly going to back down.”
Cole later called the cutter he has been working on “another tool in the toolbelt.” So somebody has been brushing up on their analogies.
Eovaldi passed on the verbal gymnastics. He has a 3.75 ERA over the last two seasons and made every start. With Chris Sale on the injured list for the fourth time since the start of the 2019 season, Eovaldi has held the Sox rotation together.
This is his third consecutive Opening Day assignment, and he has learned how to handle the responsibility.
“I go about it the exact same way,” Eovaldi said. “I feel like every game is going to have its ups and downs. I’m going to go out there and establish the strike zone, attack the hitters.
“Any time we play the Yankees, it’s going to be a good battle. Going up against Cole, it’s going to be fun.”
Eovaldi, who played for the Yankees from 2015-16, feels comfortable at the Stadium. He smiled when saying it’s the only place where the Sox get regularly booed.
Eovaldi faced the Yankees seven times last season counting the playoff game and had a 3.43 ERA. If he doesn’t pitch well, it won’t be because the moment was too big for him.
The last time the Red Sox played the Yankees on Opening Day was in 2013. They took two of three in that series, got off to a 12-4 start, and went on to win the World Series.
The ‘13 team was a true underdog that defied expectations. These Sox ended last season in the ALCS and have since signed Trevor Story.
But Cora has been reminding his players that they’re a borderline top-10 team in most preseason power rankings and not expected to win what is a stacked American League East.
“We treat it like college baseball,” Cora said. “Right now we’re No. 12 in the nation. We need to get better.”
The rotation gets thin after Eovaldi and Nick Pivetta, and the bullpen had a rough spring training. If there’s any comparison to be made to ‘13, it’s that a good start will energize the clubhouse.
“Looking forward for our city to enjoy this team,” Cora said. “It’s a cool team. It’s a very high baseball IQ. We have a bunch of ballplayers, grinders.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 8, 2022 3:01:53 GMT -5
RED SOX NOTEBOOK Xander Bogaerts, with no extension in hand, says his focus is on the season, not his contract By Julian McWilliams Globe Staff,Updated April 7, 2022, 5:12 p.m.
NEW YORK — Xander Bogaerts made it clear that there’s no chance he and the Red Sox will agree to a contract extension ahead of Opening Day Friday. In fact, he offered just a one-word answer to the question.
“No,” Bogaerts said during Thursday afternoon’s media session at Yankee Stadium.
The team has offered the shortstop an extension leading up to this point, but the sides couldn’t come to an agreement.
Bogaerts noted that he’s not upset.
“It didn’t work out, and that’s behind us,” he said. “I really can’t think about that. I really do have a season to prepare for, going out there with the guys and leading us to a really good season.”
Both Bogaerts and Rafael Devers said they don’t want to talk about extensions during the season, that they don’t want to be a distraction.
Bogaerts can opt out of the six-year, $120 million deal he signed in 2019 at the end of this season. Barring a catastrophic injury, it seems likely that Bogaerts — arguably the best-hitting shortstop in baseball and a Scott Boras client — will exercise that opt-out.
Since 2018, Bogaerts has a .299/.371/.523 line with 90 homers while ranking sixth among position players with 18.8 Wins Above Replacement (per Fangraphs).
Devers is under contract for two more seasons.
As for the season, Bogaerts said he’s excited to get going.
“It’s actually my first time opening against the Yankees,” he said. “And I mean, it’s just another baseball game, but we know how it is with the rivalry and last year and how it all went down. It’s going to be fun. Good atmosphere.” Roster is finalized
The Red Sox set their Opening Day roster Thursday, adding first baseman Travis Shaw and reliever Hansel Robles. Righthander Tyler Danish, who had an opt-out in his contract and thus had been added to the 40-man roster, was optioned to Triple A Worcester.
Righthanders Eduard Bazardo and Ralph Garza Jr. were designated for assignment. Reliever Josh Taylor (back) was placed on the 10-day injured list. Garza was quickly claimed by Tampa Bay.
Shaw will serve as backup first baseman behind Bobby Dalbec. He gives the Sox a lefty bat with the ability to work the count and can add some occasional pop.
Robles was late to spring training because of visa issues, making just two Grapefruit League appearances. Nevertheless, manager Alex Cora was encouraged enough with his physical condition to add him. His two outings (a combined two innings) came on back-to-back days in which he sat at 96 miles per hour.
“Robles, stuff-wise, we saw what he did last year,” Cora said. “He has a good slider, good fastball. He works. He’s a workaholic.”
Utility infielder Jonathan Araúz also made the club. His versatility will be important early on, which played a part in the decision to add him. Jonathan Araúz will start the season with the big club. Jonathan Araúz will start the season with the big club.Barry Chin/Globe Staff
Nonetheless, it could be short-lived. He’s just 23, needs to develop, and there aren’t that many at-bats for him at the major league level, Cora said. Aráuz will play Monday in the series opener against the Tigers in Detroit. In fine company
Nate Eovaldi will start for a third consecutive Opening Day. Just 12 pitchers in Red Sox history have achieved that feat, including Luis Tiant, Roger Clemens, Jon Lester, and Pedro Martinez.
“I had no idea about it coming into it,” Eovaldi said. “But, you know, when I found out, it’s a huge honor just to be able to have your name alongside theirs.”
Eovaldi last pitched against the Yankees in the Wild Card Game, when he outdueled Gerrit Cole. He tossed 5⅓ innings, yielding just a run while striking out eight, as the Sox won, 6-2. Related: A closer look at the Opening Day matchup between the Red Sox’ Nate Eovaldi and the Yankees’ Gerrit Cole
Eovaldi wants to pitch with that same mentality Friday.
“I want to go out there and establish the strike zone and attack the hitters,” he said. “Any time we’re playing the Yankees, it’s going to be a good battle.”
Despite tagging Cole for three runs in just two-plus innings during that Wild Card Game, the Red Sox aren’t taking the Yankee ace lightly. While Cole had a 6.19 ERA at Fenway last year (and a 4.91 ERA overall against the Sox), he was better at home, posting a 3.11 ERA.
“We’re facing one of the best pitchers in the big leagues,” Cora said. “It’s going to be a challenge.” Vázquez rejoins team
Christian Vázquez rejoined the team Thursday following the birth of his son, Daniel, in Boston on Tuesday. It was the second son for Vázquez and his wife, Gabriella … Cole said he planned to use the MLB-approved PitchCom system to get signals from catcher Kyle Higashioka. To keep opponents from stealing signs, the catcher keys in the pitch on a wristband that sends audio to the pitcher via a small speaker in his cap. The second baseman, shortstop, and center fielder also can have a speaker to aid in defensive positioning. “For the most part it’s pretty exciting, to be honest,” Cole said. Yankees manager Aaron Boone is a proponent of the system. The Red Sox have been less enthusiastic about its use. “I never used it during spring training. A couple of our guys did,” Eovaldi said. “I like the concept of it. I think it could work. I’d like it to be a little bit quicker.” … The Yankees designated outfielder Jeisson Rosario for assignment. He was claimed off waivers from the Red Sox on March 26. The move was made to add former Red Sox utilityman Marwin Gonzalez to the roster.
Peter Abraham of the Globe staff contributed to this report.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 8, 2022 3:09:16 GMT -5
Red Sox Notebook: Alex Cora won’t name a closer for Opening Day, hoping Matt Barnes will claim it Barnes’ fastball still in low-90s
By Jason Mastrodonato | jason.mastrodonato@bostonherald.com | Boston Herald PUBLISHED: April 7, 2022 at 7:30 p.m. | UPDATED: April 7, 2022 at 7:52 p.m.
NEW YORK — The Red Sox will enter the season without a closer, manager Alex Cora said Thursday.
Matt Barnes, who was an All-Star closer last year but fell apart in the second half and was left off the playoff roster, has been throwing with decreased velocity this spring, sitting in the low-90s with a fastball that usually hits the high-90s.
Cora said he’ll play the matchups early in the year, but is hoping to get Barnes back into form.
“Perfect-case scenario, we get that guy from the first half last year,” Cora said. “We get Barnsey because he was at that moment, he was the best reliever in baseball and we can get him back.”
Having Barnes start the season slowly wouldn’t be the worst for the Sox, given his history of starting well and fading at the end of the season.
He had a 2.61 ERA with 68 strikeouts in 38 innings before being named an All-Star for the first time in his career last July, but finished with a 6.48 ERA and 21 strikeouts in 16⅔ innings in the second half.
The Sox are expecting his velocity to come back to normal.
“I think we made some adjustments the last few weeks, the last few days,” Cora said. “And he feels like the fastball will come back. When? Maybe tomorrow, maybe Saturday, maybe Sunday, whenever it comes. You’ll know if he gets that back. That will be great for us.
“He was amazing, for the first three-quarters of the season last year. We extended him for a reason. And we trust him. It’s just a matter of getting the stuff back to where it should and if he does that, hopefully it’s him.” Opening Day roster announced
Some familiar faces are back on the Opening Day roster.
Former Red Sox Jackie Bradley Jr. and Travis Shaw have returned after stints with the Milwaukee Brewers, and both made the roster. Shaw is likely to platoon with Bobby Dalbec at first base, while Bradley will get the bulk of the starts in right field, a new position for him as he roamed center during the majority of his first stint with the Red Sox.
Reliever Hansel Robles got a late start in spring training, but Cora thinks he had enough time to get into game-form and the Sox will roll with him in their bullpen to start the season.
“Stuff wise, we saw what he did last year,” Cora said of Robles, who had a 3.60 ERA with the Sox and finished the season with 15 consecutive scoreless outings. “He has a good slider, good fastball and he’s a workaholic. … He’s healthy.”
In other roster moves, left-hander Josh Taylor was placed on the 10-day injured list with a back strain while right-hander Tyler Danish was optioned to Worcester and right-handers Eduardo Bazardo and Ralph Garza Jr. were designated for assignment. The Rays claimed Garza almost immediately.
The Sox’ Opening Day roster, which can included 28 players until May 2, when the roster shrinks to 26, is as follows:
Pitchers (15): Barnes, Ryan Brasier, Kutter Crawford, Austin Davis, Jake Diekman, Nathan Eovaldi, Rich Hill, Tanner Houck, Nick Pivetta, Robles, Hirokazu Sawamura, Matt Strahm, Phillips Valdez, Michael Wacha, Garrett Whitlock
Catchers (2): Kevin Plawecki, Christian Vazquez
Infielders (6): Jonathan Arauz, Xander Bogaerts, Dalbec, Rafael Devers, Shaw, Trevor Story
Outfielders (3): Bradley, J.D. Martinez, Alex Verdugo
Infielder/Outfielders (2): Christian Arroyo, Kiké Hernandez
Injured list (3): James Paxton, Chris Sale, Josh Taylor Extra rest early on
Because of the shortened spring training, Cora plans to offer his players extra rest early in the season.
Newly acquired second baseman Trevor Story will play all three games this weekend, but will have Monday and Thursday off next week. Dalbec will play all weekend but get Monday off.
“We have our program, we know what we’re going to do,” Cora said. “We always are very proactive as far as taking care of players and using today to their advantage.”
Eovaldi, who is making his third consecutive Opening Day start, said he thinks the short spring training will hurt the hitters more than the pitchers.
“I feel ready to go,” he said. “Sometimes I feel like spring training is more for the hitters, since they can’t face pitchers like us in the winter. They need to be able to see it and adjust their swings. I was able to get all my work in this offseason. I came into spring training with the right mindset of where I want to be with my mechanics. I was fortunate enough to not be battling too much mechanically.”
Whitlock was likely to be used in a multi-inning role this weekend, but it sounded like Cora might save him to make sure he’s ready to pitch in that role behind No. 5 starter Rich Hill on Tuesday against the Tigers.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 8, 2022 3:11:15 GMT -5
Boston Red Sox roster decisions: Alex Cora discusses prospect Eduard Bazardo being DFA’d, Hansel Robles’ readiness Updated: Apr. 07, 2022, 5:36 p.m. | Published: Apr. 07, 2022, 5:29 p.m.
By Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
NEW YORK — The Boston Red Sox made a somewhat surprising decision to designate hard-throwing prospect Eduard Bazardo for assignment Thursday.
Boston set its Opening Day 28-man roster Thursday and needed to clear two 40-man roster spots for minor league free agent signees Hansel Robles and Travis Shaw who both made the team.
Bazardo and Ralph Garza Jr. both were designated to make room for Shaw and Robles. The Rays already claimed Garza.
Bazardo has a mid-90s fastball and spin on his breaking ball. He’s only 26 and Red Sox manager Alex Cora has mentioned multiple times how he’s a relentless strike thrower.
But Bazardo made just one appearance in a major league spring training game. He also did not pitch in Triple-A Worcester’s first two games.
“That decision goes above me,” Cora said about Bazardo being DFA’d. “He was healthy and he pitched on the backfields. He only pitched in one game but everything went fine. Our roster is becoming harder and harder, especially the last two years. That’s a good problem to have, right? Because you have good pitchers, good players. It was a tough decision toward the end. There were a few guys that we talk about it.”
Cora hopes Bazardo clears waivers and remains in the organization.
“In a selfish way, hopefully he’s with us whenever the process ends,” Cora said. “If not, I know he’s a good one. He grew up a lot two years ago and he’s still developing. Let’s see how the process goes.”
Bazardo gained 12 pounds of muscle and added 3-4 mph onto his fastball while training at the Red Sox’s Dominican Academy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Boston then placed him on the 40-man roster in November 2020 after his fastball reached 97 mph at fall instructs.
Robles ready
Righty Hansel Robles is on the Opening Day roster.
The Dominican Republic native didn’t arrive at camp until March 31 because of a visa delay. He pitched in only two Grapefruit League games, the final two. So there was some consideration to him starting the season for Worcester just to get him a couple more appearances before activating him.
“With Hobles, stuff-wise, we saw what he did last year,” Cora said. “He has a good slider, good fastball. And he works. He’s a workaholic.”
Robles pitched at the Red Sox Dominican Academy while waiting for his visa.
“He went to the Academy I think it was like three times a week and he was facing hitters there,” Cora said. “From that end, we feel comfortable. The back-to-back was kind of the last thing we wanted to see. And he was fine. He’s healthy.”
Araúz makes cut
Jonathan Araúz won the final bench spot on the Opening Day roster.
He is not expected to start any of the games in New York, but he could be in the lineup Monday in Detroit.
“It’s going to be hard to get him at-bats,” Cora said. “But we’ll do our best to keep him ready.”
Ideally, Araúz would be receiving everyday at-bats for Triple-A Worcester.
“Where we’re at roster-wise, it makes sense for him to be with us,” Cora said. “And he’s a good player.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 8, 2022 3:23:32 GMT -5
Little housecleaning....updated SP Probs
4pm Saturday..Pivetta vs Severino
7pm....Sunday...Houck vs Montgommery
Weather today looks finewww.covers.com/Sports/MLB/Weather
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 8, 2022 7:40:14 GMT -5
J.P. Long @soxnotes · 1h This is the first time since April 1, 2013 the Red Sox and Yankees are opening their seasons against each other. The only player from that game who is still with either team is Jackie Bradley Jr., who started in LF and drew 3 walks in an 8-2 Boston win.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 8, 2022 7:59:04 GMT -5
GAME 1: RED SOX AT YANKEES | 1:05 P.M. (NESN) Opening Day is here: Red Sox set to take on Yankees in New YorkBy Katie McInerney Globe Staff,Updated April 8, 2022, 12 minutes ago Happy Opening Day! Thursday’s Red Sox season opener against the Yankees in New York was pushed due to inclement weather. Friday’s forecast looks much better, with highs in the low 60s and sunshine in the Bronx. Here are projected lineups and more to know about today’s game. Join us beginning at noon for live updates from Opening Day. RED SOX (0-0)1. Enrique Hernandez (R) CF 2. Rafael Devers (L) 3B 3. Xander Bogaerts (R) SS 4. J.D. Martinez (R) DH 5. Alex Verdugo (L) LF 6. Trevor Story (R) 2B 7. Bobby Dalbec (R) 1B 8. Jackie Bradley Jr. (L) RF 9. Christian Vazquez (R) C Pitching: RHP Nathan Eovaldi YANKEES (0-0)1. Josh Donaldson (R) 3B 2. Aaron Judge (R) RF 3. Anthony Rizzo (L) 1B 4. Giancarlo Stanton (R) DH 5. DJ LeMahieu (R) 2B 6. Joey Gallo (L) LF 7. Aaron Hicks (S) CF 8. Kyle Higashioka (R) C 9. Isiah Kiner-Falefa (R) SS Pitching: RHP Gerrit Cole Time: 1:05 p.m. TV, radio: MLB Network, NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7 Red Sox vs. Cole: Jonathan Araúz 0-2, Christian Arroyo 1-2, Xander Bogaerts 5-24, Jackie Bradley Jr. 3-11, Bobby Dalbec 0-4, Rafael Devers 4-19, Kiké Hernández 5-11, J.D. Martinez 6-25, Kevin Plawecki 1-3, Travis Shaw 3-17, Trevor Story 2-12, Alex Verdugo 4-14, Christian Vázquez 5-17 Yankees vs. Eovaldi: Josh Donaldson 3-12, Joey Gallo 1-7, Marwin Gonzalez 0-4, Aaron Hicks 3-16, Kyle Higashioka 2-3, Aaron Judge 8-20, Isiah Kiner-Falefa 1-4, DJ LeMahieu 12-37, Anthony Rizzo 5-9, Giancarlo Stanton 7-27, Gleyber Torres 7-29, Jose Trevino 0-2 Stat of the day: This pitching matchup is a rematch of the AL Wild Card Game on Oct. 5, the last time these two teams played each other. The Red Sox got three runs off Gerrit Cole before he was taken out in the third inning. Boston won, 6-2. Notes: Cole, in his third season in New York, is 23-11 with a 3.11 ERA in his first 42 regular-season starts. He was 16-8 with a 3.23 ERA last season when he finished second behind Robbie Ray in the Cy Young voting. ... He is 5-3 with a 3.81 ERA in 10 career starts against the Red Sox and was 2-2 with a 4.91 ERA in four starts against them last season. ... On the two new additions: Josh Donaldson batted .247 with 26 homers and 72 RBIs in 135 games for the Twins last season. Isiah Kiner-Falefa batted .271 with eight homers and 53 RBIs in 158 games for the Rangers last season. ... Eovaldi was 11-9 with a 3.75 ERA in his third full season with Boston. He was 2-2 with 3.71 ERA in six starts against the Yankees last season and is 3-4 with a 3.64 ERA in 15 appearances (12 starts) against New York. Song of the Day: Alabama 3 - Woke Up This Morningwww.youtube.com/watch?v=2oT7JeEShlE
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 8, 2022 9:05:51 GMT -5
Chris Cotillo @chriscotillo · 12m Beautiful day for some baseball.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 8, 2022 10:43:55 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 46m Alex Cora says he sees Jackie Bradley Jr. and Christian Arroyo being a “strict platoon” in RF.
Trevor Story is going to get some days off mixed in early because of his shortened spring training.
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