Johnson set to return
Gets the nod tomorrow night
NEW YORK — How about an encore, Brian Johnson?
Not even a hamstring injury could stop him from being ready to take Eduardo Rodriguez’ spot in the Red Sox’ starting rotation. He’ll be on the mound tomorrow night at Fenway Park.
“He got through his bullpen fine yesterday,” Sox manager John Farrell said. “He went through a battery of agility tests here this morning and earlier today. He passed all those.”
Johnson had left his previous start for Triple-A Pawtucket on Saturday after slipping on the mound and hurting his hamstring. He had struck out five batters in 12⁄ innings on 29 pitches before 3 exiting.
His previous start was even better.
Johnson had thrown a complete game shutout for the Red Sox on just 109 pitches (85 for strikes) against the Seattle Mariners on May 27, then got sent back down to the minors to make room for David Price.
This time the junk-balling left-hander, who sits in the high-80s with a curveball that can be dominant at times, may get an extended look with Rodriguez on the shelf indefinitely as he deals with another subluxation of his right knee.
“If he keeps throwing shutouts, it’ll be great,” Farrell said of Johnson. “Brian comes to us with a little momentum and confidence after the game against Seattle.”
Chris Sale will start on Saturday on an extra day of rest.
Rodriguez won’t start throwing off a mound for some time. He needs to pass a series of physical tests before the Sox clear him, but he did begin throwing from flat ground on Wednesday.
“He threw out to 120 feet of long toss. So that was encouraging,” said Farrell. “And just subjectively the stride length was similar to what he normally has. So those are good signs physically.”
Betts’ Bronx job
Mookie Betts robbed Chris Carter of a second homer in the sixth inning of last night’s 8-0 loss to the Yankees, timing his jump for a max-effort stretch as the ball went through the hands of a fan in right field and into Betts’ glove for a highlightreel catch.
“I’ve just got to give credit to all the work I put in,” said Betts. “I try and go out every day and try to learn something new. I’ve been working around the wall and doing it for the last couple years. I’m just trying to get familiar with everything.
“It’s pretty cool to see that all the work I put in is put into the game too.”
Calling Mr. Smith
If the Red Sox can get a half-season of Carson Smith, imagine how much pressure that would take off of Craig Kimbrel. And Farrell.
The skipper admitted after his club’s 5-4 win over the New York Yankees on Tuesday that he’s been reluctant to use Kimbrel for four-out saves, even though he keeps doing it and it keeps working for the Sox, who are 5-0 this season when Kimbrel records at least four outs.
If the Sox can get Smith back relatively soon, they shouldn’t need Kimbrel for four-out saves on most nights.
Smith threw off the mound in Yankee Stadium before last night’s game. For the first time since he had Tommy John surgery last May, hitters stood in the box. They didn’t swing, though, since the Red Sox didn’t want to use a cage that would interfere with analytical readings.
“Elbow feels great,” Smith said after his 20-pitch session. “I feel like I’ve gotten over the hump. It’s over a year now so I think that’s when most people usually turn the corner. Right now I’m feeling great and hopefully it continues.”
Next step will be another simulated outing on Saturday. If he feels good after that, a rehab assignment could begin. He’d likely need a few outings before the Red Sox would activate him.
Full strength soon?
With Smith almost ready to come back, and the potential return of Tyler Thornburg, who remains inactive with shoulder strength issues, it could make it easier for Farrell to keep using Kimbrel in the eighth inning now, knowing reinforcements should be on the way.
“And I’m looking forward to that day,” Farrell said. “That’s not to slight anyone who’s here right now, but we’ve first got to get those two guys back to their 100 percent physical abilities and capabilities. The more good players you have, the better your team is going to be.”
Kimbrel hasn’t been too enthusiastic when talking about the four-out saves. He’s recorded at least four outs five different times this season, already matching his total from 2016.
“Honestly, I would prefer to throw one inning two or three nights in a row,” he said. “I’ve got to do what I’ve got to do to help this team win.
“It’s still a learning thing for me. But I’ve thrown one inning my whole career. It’s something I’m still getting used to. We’ll just see where it takes us.” . . .
Triple-A starter Hector Velazquez threw only one planned inning on seven pitches “in an effort to preserve potential depth for the big-league club,” according to the PawSox, in yesterday’s doubleheader sweepcompleting 3-0 win over the visiting Syracuse Chiefs. Velazquez has a 1.47 ERA. . . .
The Museum of Fine Arts announced that David Ortiz’ World Series rings will be on display from June 17 through Sept. 4. Until June 25, visitors can donate to the David Ortiz Children’s Fund, which provides lifesaving heart surgeries to kids in the Dominican Republic and provides aid to children in New England.