Bout with flu ongoing
Kelly falls victim; Betts back
DETROIT — Quarantined for three days, right fielder Mookie Betts finally returned to the Red Sox clubhouse yesterday, and he’s expected back in the lineup today.
It seems Betts finally has gotten over the flu. Now, if only the same could be said for the rest of the roster.
The latest to fall victim was reliever Joe Kelly, who was sent away from Comerica Park before the 4-1 loss to the Detroit Tigers. A while later, left fielder Andrew
Benintendi threw up in the middle of the game.
“We’re hopeful that was just a one-time deal (with Benintendi),” manager
John Farrell said. “And we’ll see how he feels when he comes in tomorrow.”
The flu bug has been relentless after first striking the ballclub in spring training. Reliever Robbie Ross Jr. is on the disabled list with a diagnosed case of influenza, and designated hitter Hanley Ramirez also has
‘We’ve removed people to quarantine them, and yet this hasn’t been able to be contained.’
— JOHN FARRELL On the Sox’ ongoing battle with the flu
been diagnosed. Ramirez was left behind in Boston and is likely to miss all four games in this series, which wraps up tomorrow.
“He’s dealing with a pretty high-grade fever,” Farrell said. “So his status for this entire series is questionable.” Utility infielder Brock
Holt and regular first baseman Mitch Moreland have each returned after missing time with the illness. Third baseman Pablo Sandoval has described himself as feeling sick, but not nearly as sick as some of the teammates around him.
Farrell described three versions of the illness that simply won’t leave the Red Sox alone. One is a respiratory issue, another is simply flu-like symptoms and the most severe is the flu itself.
“We’ve removed people to quarantine them, and yet this hasn’t been able to be contained,” Farrell said.
Betts flew out to join the team in the morning, and he took batting practice during the game. He was available as a pinch hitter.
“He swung a little bit in the cage early in the game,” Farrell said. “He’s certainly not 100 percent yet. (He is) possibly, if we’re mounting something against (Tigers reliever Justin) Wilson in the ninth, (Betts was) possibly available in the leadoff spot.”
Welcome addition
The Red Sox soon will be closer to full strength not only with Betts returning, but also with reliever Matt
Barnes scheduled to come off the bereavement list today. Shortstop Xander Bogaerts is on track to return from bereavement tomorrow.
Barnes will be a welcome addition to the late-inning bullpen contingent, which failed to bridge the gap to closer Craig Kimbrel on Friday.
“(On Wednesday), I think if you look at the way it worked with Barnes in the eighth, we’re not really overly concerned with the matchups with him,” Farrell said. “He’s shown the ability and has the pitches to attack both lefties and righties. That’s the ideal thing at this point.” . . .
As planned, David Price threw long toss up to 120 feet before the game. He then threw breaking balls off flat ground, his most significant step back from the forearm/ elbow issue that bothered him in spring training.
Farrell said he still expects Price to throw a bullpen tomorrow. It will be Price’s first session since Feb. 28.
“Another consistent work day from him,” Farrell said. . . .
Drew Pomeranz threw an “extended, simulated bullpen” to prepare for his scheduled start on Tuesday. A roster move will be made when he comes off the disabled list.
“We opted not to throw live (to hitters) here just because of the time schedule this morning,” Farrell said. “But a good work day that puts him in line for Tuesday’s start against Baltimore back in Boston.”
Taylor strikes again
After making his big league debut Friday with a strikeout, reliever Ben Taylor struck out three more, including Miguel Cabrera, in his second appearance. Taylor also walked two in 11⁄ innings . . . 3 Mitch Moreland had his second straight two-hit game after going hitless in his first two games.