It’s time for Pomeranz
Southpaw to debut tonight
ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Red Sox have the secondbest ERA in the major leagues (2.66) and they’ve done it without one of their best starting pitchers from a year ago, Drew Pomeranz.
Pomeranz will make his 2018 season debut tonight against the Oakland A’s, the team that he pitched so well for out of relief during the 2014-15 seasons.
He was injured in spring training when he strained his forearm flexor tendon and had to leave a start early, but made two rehab starts in the minors over the last two weeks and said he is feeling much better.
“He’s full go, 100-105 pitches,” said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. “We’re getting healthier, that’s true. I saw him last year and everybody knows where he’s at. We always talk about Chris Sale and David Price, how great they are, top lefties in the league. Drew last year was one of those guys. Stuff-wise we know what he can do. He has a fastball at 94-95 and a breaking ball. He’s one of the best in the league, too, and we’re looking forward to having him.”
Pomeranz last pitched for the Red Sox in the 2017 playoffs when he started Game 2 of the American League Division Series against the Houston Astros and allowed four runs in two innings before he was removed.
Before that, he put up a 3.32 ERA with 174 strikeouts in 1732⁄3 innings during the regular season, his best season to date.
“I’m ready to go,” Pomeranz said. “I feel good. It was a very minor thing in the first place. It’s just slowed everything down for me and I slowly ramped it back up at this point.”
Cora said he’s confident that Pomeranz’ injury is behind him.
“Velocity wasn’t there in the first few,” Cora said. “He was one that brought it up too and said I need one more outing.
“If he said he was ready, he’s ready. He’s in the spot right now, this is the player, he’s going to be a free agent. So I don’t think he’s going to take a chance on the mound when he’s not 100 percent.”
Mitch doesn’t sulk
From everyday first baseman to a backup in less than a year, Mitch Moreland is handling his new role very well.
Moreland went 3-for-4 with four RBI and a long home run wrapped around the right-field foul pole in the Sox’ 9-0 win over the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday night. It was just his seventh start in 17 games.
“I don’t really look at that,” he said. “You just come in ready to go every day and when your number is called you try to contribute and that’s the way I’ve approached it my whole career, not just this year.”
Adding J.D. Martinez to the mix and giving Hanley Ramirez a full-time chance at first base has taken playing time away from Moreland, who is hitting .355 with four doubles and a home run.
“We were something special last year and we added a couple more guys,” Moreland said. “Everybody came in with a little extra added fire and it’s shown. It showed in spring training and it’s continued throughout the season.”
Cora said he’s been trying to keep Moreland as sharp as possible, playing him about twice a week.
“He’s been playing a lot lately and getting consistent at-bats and that’s part of the equation,” Cora said. “He’s a good hitter and had a great season last year. His numbers changed (in the second half last year) because he was hurt but he’s a guy that can hit lefties and righties, right now he’s locked in.”
Some gift!
Jackie Bradley Jr. celebrated his 28th birthday on the bench last night.
“Yeah, happy birthday,” Cora said. “Honestly, (Wednesday) I went to him and said you’re the chosen one. I think they understand what’s going on and the benefits of it. And that’s the way we’re going to do it.”
Andrew Benintendi was in center field while Martinez got the start in left and Moreland was at first base again. …
Blake Swihart has just one start this year but he’ll likely get in a game this weekend in Oakland, Cora said. The former catcher turned utility man is handling his bench role well, according to the manager.
“I know how tough it is,” said Cora, a former utility man. “There are guys who can suck the air out of the clubhouse because of their situation, but he’s the other way around. He’s catching bullpens and taking groundballs at second. (Wednesday) we did different drills at second base. He’s showing up early. You have to give him credit because it’s not easy. I’m the first one to admit it.”
Swihart is not yet game ready at second base and is only considered a third or fourth option at third base. He’ll likely start at DH or outfield. …
Xander Bogaerts (ankle) is unlikely to return during this road trip. He’s still taking batting practice and grounders while he recovers. …
Bobby Poyner (hamstring strain) began a rehab assignment in Double-A Portland and will likely pitch again tomorrow or Sunday before he returns to the Red Sox.