Cora knows Castillo
Saw him dominate in winter
FORT MYERS — Alex Cora technically has managerial experience. For two seasons, beginning in 2014, Cora ran the show for Criollos de Caguas in the Puerto Rican Winter League. His star player that first season? Red Sox outfielder Rusney Castillo.
“He was actually the best player in the league,” Cora said “And then, like everybody else, you start making adjustments. And sometimes it’s (coming from) out of the organization. You start listening to people outside of the organization, and you start making adjustments that probably you didn’t have to make.”
Much-hyped after signing a seven-year, $72.5 million deal out of Cuba in 2014, Castillo has fallen flat in the United States. He’s a career .262 hitter with limited power, and after getting just eight big league at-bats in 2016, Castillo didn’t get so much as a cup of coffee last season.
He’s hitting .276 with a home run this spring — and he’s coming off a resurgent season in Triple A — but performance isn’t the only hurdle keeping Castillo from a return to the majors. He’s off the 40man roster, and as long as it stays that way, his contract does not count against the luxury tax.
“Honestly, a lot of people talk about situations and everything,” Cora said. “But he’s concentrating on playing baseball, and he has a lot of at-bats here at spring training. He’s showing a lot of people he’s a good player. We’ll see where it goes.”
Pomeranz close
Just over a week since he suffered a mild forearm strain, starter Drew Pomeranz is nearly ready to face hitters. After doing long toss out to 120 feet, Pomeranz is expected to throw two innings of live batting practice either Wednesday or Thursday.
There still seems to be some hope that Pomeranz will have enough time to be stretched out for the Opening Day rotation.
“We’re very pleased with the progression, and that’s going to be a big step,” Cora said. “We just have to wait and see how he feels all the way up to the off day, and we go from there. But the goal is for him to throw two innings of live BP next week.”
It seems the Red Sox have the top of their rotation lined up to break camp, with Chris Sale, David Price and Rick Porcello (scheduled to start today’s game) on track to pitch the first three games of the regular season.
All lined up
When Red Sox camp opened, Cora said Hanley Ramirez would be the team’s No. 3 hitter, but that was before J.D. Martinez signed. So, is that still the case?
Yesterday’s lineup against the Twins had Mookie Betts and Andrew Benintendi in the top two spots, just as Cora plans it to be on Opening Day. It then had Ramirez third and Martinez batting cleanup. Was that also an Opening Day preview? Cora said he still doesn’t know.
“Do we want J.D. with nobody on, two outs in the first inning?” Cora said. “Or do we want J.D. with men on, two outs in the first inning? Or do we want J.D. to lead off the second inning if it’s a 1-2-3 (first) inning? So, it’s a work in progress.”
It’s a decision further complicated by the shared time at first base, where Ramirez might not be an everyday player alongside Mitch Moreland.
“Mitch is swinging the bat well,” Cora said. “Hanley has hit some hard balls the last few days, and he’s working on it. We’ll see. In a few weeks, I’ll have a lot better idea.”
New ’pen option
Scratch Roenis Elias from the list of potential spot starters, but add him to the list of left-handed relief options. The Red Sox have converted Elias to the bullpen, at least partially based on a new commitment to facing left-handed hitters with a sidearm deliver.
Elias, who was acquired in the Carson Smith trade, had been a big league starter in Seattle but has not had any big league staying power with the Red Sox.
“The ability is there,” Cora said. “Just (important) for him to be consistent with his release point and delivery, but so far so good.”
Knocked around
Triple-A starter Jalen Beeks was charged with seven runs without recording an out in yesterday’s loss to the Twins. Beeks was a late replacement for Price, who did not start the game because of weather concerns. The game was called in the third inning with the Twins leading 10-3.
As planned, Brock Holt and Eduardo Nunez were back in the lineup at second and third base, respectively, and each had a hit. Martinez had two hits.