J.D. was Just Delayed
Martinez really to be introduced
FORT MYERS — It’s about to be official. J.D. Martinez is finally ready to join the Red Sox.
A press conference is expected this morning to announce Martinez as the team’s new designated hitter, the offensive upgrade they’ve been seeking for four months.
News broke last Monday that Martinez had agreed to terms on a five-year contract worth $110 million, but an official announcement has been delayed while Martinez took a physical and final terms were settled.
Martinez will play most of the season at 30 years old, and he has a .936 OPS with 128 home runs the past four seasons. His 45 home runs last year with Detroit and Arizona were 21 more than any Red Sox player hit in 2017.
President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski made clear from the beginning of the offseason that an offensive upgrade was his top priority, and he ultimately landed the most proven free agent hitter available.
Although Martinez has been an outfielder throughout his career, he best fits the Red Sox as the everyday designated hitter, moving into the outfield from time to time to give someone a break.
He is the Red Sox only new addition signed to a Major League contract this winter.
In this slow offseason, it was a long wait, followed by a shorter wait, and it will finally come to an end this morning.
Chavis on hold
The Red Sox minor league system, already thinned by trades, call-ups and high-profile disappointments, will be without its top prospect for a while.
Power-hitting third baseman Michael Chavis has been shut down because of an oblique injury, and it’s unclear when he’ll get back on the field.
“He’s going to be out for a while now, for a little bit,” manager Alex Cora said.
Chavis, 22, is widely hailed as the Red Sox top position prospect, and he’s often ranked as their top prospect overall. He hurt himself taking a swing during open batting practice on Wednesday and hasn’t played since.
“I’ll say today feels better than it has since it happened,” Chavis said. “So, I’m feeling pretty positive about how it’s going. Every day’s been a little bit better, and today was significantly better, working out, running on the elliptical, and stuff like that. So, I’m pretty positive about things are going. Like I said I don’t have a timetable, but as soon as I can, guarantee you I’m going to be out there.”
Chavis hit 31 home runs between Single A and Double A last season, and he came into camp trying to make an impression as a corner infielder with power, but he was hurt the day before he was to play in the opening doubleheader.
“I promise nobody is more upset than I am,” Chavis said. “I mean, it happened. I just, you know when something happens you’re kind of like, you can’t believe it. It’s just unlucky, honestly, but I’m looking forward to getting back for sure.
Nunez progress
Although he’s still roughly a week from appearing in games, infielder Eduardo Nunez continues to go through full baseball drills and is running at “8590 percent” effort without any setbacks in his knee.
“Everything is good,” he said. “Everything is working how it’s supposed to work. We have a slow plan right now, but I think at some point next week — February into March — we’re going to have some action in the game. That’s the plan. It’s a plan to make sure everything is right, and my leg gets stronger.”
Cora said Nunez could get a turn at designated hitter next weekend.
Nunez sprained his PCL at the end of last season and spent much of the offseason recovering. The Red Sox put him through an exhausting workout before re-signing him, and both Cora and Nunez are confident he’ll have plenty of time to get game-ready in time to play second base on Opening Day.
No news is good news
Two years ago, Drew Pomeranz was recovering from shoulder surgery. One year ago, he was coming back from stem-cell treatment. Yesterday, he was just another guy throwing live batting practice, ironing out the shape of his curveball.
“The first time I’ve been able to work on things at this point in like three years,” Pomeranz said. “It’s kind of nice to be able to do that.” In the past two days,
Pomeranz, Chris Sale and Rick Porcello have each faced hitters as they build up to finally pitch in Grapefruit League games roughly a week from now. David Price is similarly building up, but Cora said — because of personal preference — Price’s final tuneups likely will be in a minor league game rather than live batting practice.
Even though they’re doing most of their work on the back fields, Cora said the top four starters are on track to make the first four starts of the season.
More Swihart praise
Former top prospect Blake Swihart continued his blistered start to spring training by hitting another a double and a home run in a 7-1 win against the Baltimore Orioles.
Counting the spring opener against Northeastern, Swihart is 4-for-6 with four walks, two doubles, a triple, a home run and six RBI through three games. He’s also impressed with his work behind the plate.
“For whatever people think defensively who he is, he’s actually a good catcher,” Cora said.
Odds and ends
Reliever Ben Taylor was claimed off waivers by the Cleveland Indians. Taylor made the Red Sox’ Opening Day roster last season, but he was designated for assignment this spring after Nunez re-signed . . . .
Relievers Joe Kelly, Matt Barnes and Robby Scott each pitched a scoreless inning in their spring debuts . ...
The Sox play their first spring road game tomorrow against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Andrew Benintendi, Rafael Devers and Christian Vazquez will headline the travel squad.