Results-based analysis
Injuries no longer main E-Rod topic
FORT MYERS — Instead of discussing his health, the topic of conversation about Eduardo
Rodriguez is now focused on his performance.
That’s a most promising sign for both him and the Red Sox.
“Last year, I wasn’t throwing in spring training, this is first time I’m feeling really good in spring training — I feel much better,” said Rodriguez after this fourinning stint in the Sox’ 6-5 spring loss to the Philadelphia Phillies. He allowed a home run to No. 9 hitter Roman Quinn and a triple to ex-Red Sox Daniel Nava, but Rodriguez pitched much sharper than those two pitches showed. He struck out three, walked only one and allowed one other hit.
Rodriguez was happy with how he located his slider, and he was happy that he was able to make an adjustment in his changeup mid-stint that allowed him to command it better.
“I feel normal, I feel really good, I feel normal with everything,” said Rodriguez. “Now I’m just concentrating on my mechanics and not only my mechanics but my consistency with my pitches, that’s what I’m working on right now.”
Of course manager John Farrell is pleased he can give appraisals of Rodriguez’ outings rather than updates on his subluxated kneecap.
“Just from a pitching standpoint, the most encouraging thing is the shape to his breaking ball, that has become more of a defined pitch, there’s added depth to it,” said Farrell. “He’s been able to get underneath some right-handed swings. It was a quality three-pitch mix here again (yesterday). With each outing he’s getting under his belt, there’s added confidence and more weapons to use.”
Closer Craig Kimbrel was not nearly as sharp.
Kimbrel inherited the 4-1 lead Rodriguez left behind, then promptly walked the leadoff batter. Two singles, two steals and zero strikeouts later, the Phillies had scored three runs.
“Some of them, the hits they got, they were right there, on a tee for them to hit, not exactly where I wanted to put them,” said Kimbrel. “Right now, what I take out of that is just getting my reps in. I threw just the other day, so I’ll throw another bullpen here in a few days and get back out there.” That walk gnawed at him. “Get 0-2 and tried to mess around with some pitches and not really put him away, and then all of a sudden it’s a full count there,” said Kimbrel. “You don’t ever want to do that. Kind of led to the rest of the inning and I threw a lot of pitches.”
Farrell saw the same lack of movement Phillies batters did.
“He didn’t have the normal finish — he threw pitches over the plate, but the teeth or the power to the breaking ball wasn’t as we’ve seen in the past,” said Farrell. “There were a couple of squared-up balls on that pitch particularly. He was in that midrange, he was in the mid-thigh area versus above the strike zone where he gets more of his swing and miss up there. Physically, he’s fine. He just didn’t have the normal finish to both pitches.”
Heath Hembree had another fine outing out of the bullpen, striking out two and walking none, while allowing no hits in his inning of work.
“His cutter has become so late, you see the swings that righthanders take against it — it’s late, it’s powerful,” said Farrell. “He’s gaining some understanding and clarity to the attack to left-handers. His last three or four outings in particular have been strong.”
Arms update
Rick Porcello’s right thumb, nicked by a comebacker, is fine. The starter will throw four innings in an intrasquad game in Fort Myers this morning.
David Price (forearm) threw another 25 pitches into the net in a batting cage, the second day in a row for the starter. As for what today brings for him — more of the same or rest — it’s too soon to say.
“(Today) will be a conversation when he comes in and goes through his treatment whether or not he’ll do it a third consecutive day or wait and build in a day of recovery from throwing,” Farrell said.
Quentin game
Carlos Quentin has not played in a MLB game since 2014, but the 34-year-old two-time AllStar who had a few impact seasons with the White Sox is giving baseball one more shot. After losing approximately 40 pounds on a new diet and allowing his body to heal, the outfielder impressed the Red Sox enough in a tryout to earn a minor league invite.
Yesterday, he played in his first game, batting seventh. He was hit by a pitch in his first plate appearance, struck out in the next and ended his day with a solid single.
“It was great, I got my blood going — it was awesome,” said Quentin. “I showed up, and I was in the lineup. It was exciting. I appreciate the chance.
“I swung through some fastballs I’d like to not swing through. I’m still trying to get as many atbats as possible on the other side, in minor league camp. We haven’t started camp yet. There’s always going to be fight in me at the plate. I’ll just go out and compete and trust it’ll come back.”
Quentin understands there is no spot on the big league roster for him, and it will take a fair amount of good fortune as well as him approaching his former skillset before he can be considered. He’s OK with that wait.
“I want to play because I’m healthy,” said Quentin. “When you feel like you have to hang it up because you don’t feel healthy and you don’t see opportunity there, it’s a tough pill to swallow, especially when you pride yourself on working hard and keeping yourself in decent shape. It’s a lot of the reason why I’m back here.
“I didn’t want to look back five years from now and say, ‘I should have just picked up the phone and made a call and swallowed my ego and pride and done it the right way.’ ”