Porcello paces self for 2017
Post-Cy, doesn’t want to wear down
LEDYARD, Conn. — Rick Porcello received his 2016 Cy Young Award last night, leaving Red Sox winter weekend at Foxwoods early to pick up the hardware in New York.
The trio of Red Sox aces, Porcello, Chris Sale and David Price, were all together yesterday before Porcello sped off.
“Rick is one of the leaders,” pitching coach Carl Willis said. “I think he stayed accountable. He stayed in front of his struggles (in 2015) and accepted the fact that he needed to do better and obviously he went about doing better in a very big way.”
The next potential accolade for Porcello wouldn’t be as meaningful, but the subject will be persistent with a stacked rotation: who starts Opening Day?
Porcello said it’s not his call. Sale, however, said Porcello should be the guy.
When it comes to Sale, Price and Porcello, one of these is not like the other.
Price and Sale have a track record of dominance. Porcello does not. Porcello’s also coming off the biggest workload of his career, more than 50 innings greater than the prior year.
“That’s kind of the most important part, is after throwing (more than) 220 innings, I noticed that I was definitely more worn down,” Porcello said. “You’ve got to do even more to build that back up and prepare for the next season.
“I’m obviously not on track to be blowing it out the first day of spring training. I was working on stuff (last year in spring) and it really didn’t come around until the last two weeks of camp. That’s going to continue to be my approach, and then just being smart about it and listening to my body. If I get in those situations where it feels like I’m not on the track I want to be on, then I’m going to pick things up or back off. Just be smart about it.”
Willis is optimistic about managing the workload because this is a World Baseball Classic year. None of the big Sox arms are going, and it allows for more time in spring training — and therefore, more time to build up.
Why is Price passing on the WBC? For the obvious reason.
“I want to be ready for the Red Sox,” Price said. “I’d rather win a World Series than win a WBC gold medal or first place. For me, I’m devoted to this team. Maybe if it was the Olympics, something along those lines, it might be a little bit different.”
Clearing things up
Yesterday brought a little clarity to the health situations for a pair of rotation hopefuls, lefties Drew Pomeranz and Eduardo Rodriguez.
Pomeranz, who had throwing elbow and forearm discomfort last season, went for a stem cell shot in October to stimulate recovery. That’s different than a platelet rich plasma (PRP) injection that athletes often receive, although they serve a similar purpose. Pomeranz’ own bone marrow, extracted from his hip and back, was used in the injection, he said. The extraction did not hurt, the shot itself did.
Pomeranz, who got married this offseason, said he’s recovering well and ready to compete in spring training, even after being named an All-Star last year.
Rodriguez’ right knee seems to be OK after tests. A slip on a rainy mound in winter ball in Venezuela gave the pitcher a scare. The WBC’s out of the picture. . . . PORCELLO: Cy Young winner vows to watch workload this season.
Craig Kimbrel said he found some mechanical kinks that he intends to work on in spring training. He also said he was trying to do too much at times in 2016.
Not best option
Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said the team wants to sign some more depth options, but it’s hard to convince free agents to come to the Sox on a minor league deal with an invite to big league camp. That’s because the Sox are so strong, better chances of making a big league team exist elsewhere. …
Dombrowski said the Sox are nearing a deal to avoid arbitration with Pomeranz. They might go to a rare arbitration hearing with Fernando Abad, though.
Work has begun
Blake Swihart’s left ankle will be monitored closely in spring training, but he should be without restriction. Now, can he become the receiver the Sox need? He’s been at Fenway working with bullpen coach Dana LeVangie lately, and has also spoken with Jason Varitek.
“I’m fixing my stance a little bit, fixing my trigger, fixing my receiving, my game-calling,” Swihart said. “Blocking, I’m making little adjustments all the time.” …
Team president Sam Kennedy said there will be fewer concerts at Fenway Park this year. That’s not because the Fenway grass was at times hurt by the stages on the field, but Kennedy acknowledged that was not ideal. Twitter: @EvanDrellich