X unable to lend a hand
Bogaerts takes great pains to get healthy
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — John Farrell feared the worst when Xander Bogaerts was hit by a pitch on his right hand Thursday night and left the game in obvious pain.
The Red Sox shortstop tried to throw the ball and couldn’t. Even just holding a bat is presenting problems.
But the Bogaerts’ injury doesn’t seem to be as serious as it first appeared. While the shortstop was held out of last night’s lineup, Farrell is hopeful Bogaerts will be back tomorrow. The Red Sox manager said Bogaerts is day-to-day.
“In the moment when it’s happening so fast, you fear that it’s the wrist or some part of the joint there that’s so pivotal to a hitter,” Farrell said. “But thankfully in that situation, he’s hit on the fatty part of the hand, so we’re looking forward to getting him back in the lineup.”
Bogaerts’ night was brief Thursday when he was hit with a 92-mph fastball from Tampa Bay pitcher Jacob Faria in the first inning. He was tended to for several minutes, and stayed in the game as a runner. But when the defensive half of the first came, he couldn’t throw with his right hand.
X-rays on Bogaerts’ hand came back negative, and he said he wanted to play last night, but he was still in too much pain to play.
“I know coming to play today would have been tough, but I didn’t expect it to feel this bad and hopefully tomorrow is much better compared to today,” Bogaerts said. “It’s still pretty sore. A lot of improvement from yesterday, but still kind of tough to hold a bat or throw a ball.”
If Bogaerts isn’t able to play through the weekend, the All-Star break could help his recovery. The shortstop lost out in the voting for the All-Star Game Final Vote, so he said he may return to his native Aruba, where he can heal and rest up for the second half. But he’s still hopeful he’ll back before the break.
“I know I’ve missed a lot of games these last few weeks, so I just want to be out there and hopefully I can play some games before the All-Star break because it’s going to be a long time off,” Bogaerts said.
Pedey power
Dustin Pedroia hit his first home run in exactly two months, and just his third of the season last night during the third inning of an 8-3 win over Tampa Bay. It was a welcome sign for the second baseman, who has been struggling to produce power this season due to a nagging knee injury.
“I think he’s feeling a little more free with his lower half and being able to turn on a ball like he did tonight,” Farrell said. “That’s an encouraging sign because while the average has been there, throughout the course of his career he’s been known to have a little bit more power, so I think he’s starting to figure some things out after the knee problem.”
Tito recovering
Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona will be unable to manage the AL All-Stars at next week’s All-Star Game. The former Red Sox skipper underwent a heart procedure Thursday to address an irregular heartbeat.
The procedure was a success, and Francona is expected to make a full recovery and rejoin the Indians after the break. Bench coach Brad Mills, also formerly with the Red Sox, will manage the All-Star team in Miami, with Rays manager Kevin Cash assisting.
Farrell said he was in touch with Francona yesterday.
“We’ve just traded some text messages, and I think he’s getting an opportunity to rest, but beyond that I don’t really have anything to add,” Farrell said.
Looking better
Brock Holt continued his rehab assignment with a start in Double-A Portland last night, going 1-for-2 with two walks, two runs scored and an RBI while playing in the first game of a twinbill.
Holt will return to Triple-A Pawtucket today and tomorrow. The third baseman who is still working his way back from vertigo has improved significantly in dealing with the symptoms, according to Farrell.
“I think the consistency of the at-bats have indicated that, and the staff has acknowledged the way he’s made plays defensively or how he’s addressed pitches in the batter’s box, they’re also indicating he’s moving past the symptoms,” Farrell said.
Ink some more
The Red Sox announced yesterday that they’ve signed five more players who were selected in last month’s draft.
The most notable is fourthround pick Jake Thompson, a right-handed pitcher out of Oregon State, who has been assigned to short-season Single-A Lowell. The Sox also signed right-handed pitchers Aaron Perry and Andrew Carber, as well as outfielders David Durden and Tyler Dearden, all of whom will report to the Gulf Coast League Red Sox.