All signs point to Friday for Pedey
But final rehab games will be big factor
RED SOX NOTEBOOK
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Friday night looks like the time to get a first look at Dustin Pedroia this season.
Pending the weather, Pedroia was scheduled for his last test in his rehab assignment with Pawtucket, back-to-back seven-inning stints.
No further challenges are expected, but out of caution, Red Sox manager Alex Cora preferred that others take the progression to its next logical level.
“Well, depends on how he reacts but he’s getting close, we know that,” said Cora. “I talked to him. He mentioned he feels great. Full workout (Monday), he should be fine (last night). We’ll go from there.”
Meanwhile, reliever Carson Smith visited Dr. David Altchek in New York yesterday about his subluxated shoulder. Cora said Smith plans to receive a third opinion before he and the team come to a decision regarding a potential surgery.
Bradley showing signs
Jackie Bradley Jr. had two hits to lift his average to .176. The two singles came in his first two at-bats, one a deflected ball off the first baseman, the other a solid shot to center field.
“It’s always good to see results, even if you’re not putting in the work,” said Bradley. “I definitely feel like I can repeat what I was doing today and that’s the start right there. Being able to consistently repeat your swing, obviously swinging at good pitches and timing. Timing is there. That’s the most important thing.”
Said Cora: “Good swing decisions, he didn’t expand. Actually the last pitch, I guess it was a borderline pitch, one of those it was a strike for them, a ball for us, but being able to barrel with the ball, that second hit, I like that, being able to stay inside the ball, not too much movement, so he’s still working.”
Bradley also doubled up Daniel Robertson, who took off from first base on a deep fly ball in the third and never looked up until Bradley had caught the ball.
“It’s good to see it from the other end,” said Cora. “There’s no panic with (Bradley). You see the ball hit, and off the bat, it seemed like it was going out of the ballpark but you look at him and he’s just under control, he catches it. He’s elite in center field.” . . .
Over their last six games, the Red Sox have scored at least four runs in each. Their record: 5-1 . . . .
Rafael Devers hit a home run, his second in his last three games.
Honors and praise for J.D.
Left fielder and designated hitter J.D. Martinez was named A.L. Player of the Week on Monday. In seven games, Martinez batted .346 (9-for26) with seven runs scored, two doubles, five home runs, eight RBI and three walks.
Cora expressed full support for the honor.
“Great, yeah, he deserves it,” Cora said. “Actually what he did at home was pretty impressive. Sometimes I wonder, like, are people really paying attention to what he’s doing because it seems like on a nightly basis he can do something special. I’m happy for him, proud for him, but like he said there’s a lot of work to do. He was there working on his craft again trying to get better, which is great to see.”
Pomeranz finds his fix
Drew Pomeranz is scheduled to pitch Saturday. He got pushed back after continued struggles. In his last two starts, Pomeranz lasted only four innings in each and combined for eight walks and seven runs allowed. After throwing a simulated game here yesterday, he sounded as if he found and fixed what ailed him — excessive rotation in his upper torso as he goes through his throwing motion.
“Getting real rotational,” said Pomeranz. “It’s something exactly what I did last year, it’s something that I’ve struggled with, it’s why I went on a stretch there in ’14 and ’15 and once I did come back to windup. Everyone struggles with things with their mechanics and that’s usually the main one with me.
“When I fix that, it makes a huge difference for me.”
Pomeranz carries a 5.07 ERA and hitters are batting .302 against him this season.
Updates on relievers
Reliever and sometimes starter Hector Velazquez (lower back) is with the ballclub and can be activated tomorrow.
“He pitched (Monday). He was fine,” said Cora. “We’re going to have him around, see how he reacts to it and if everything goes well, we’re going to have to make a decision.”
Also, reliever Tyler Thornburg (shoulder) was scheduled to pitch last night in his ongoing rehab stint.
“The last one wasn’t great so the last few have been a challenge as far as consistency,” said Cora.
Hall of Fame night
Kevin Youkilis, Derek Lowe, Mike Lowell and the late John “Buck” Freeman will be inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame at the Westin Copley Place Hotel tomorrow night.
The Sox will make Arthur D’Angelo, owner of Twins Enterprises, The Souvenir Store on Jersey Street and founder of ‘47 Brand, the first “Special Achievement” inductee.
The club will also make a “Memorable Red Sox Moment” over the major league debut of Pumpsie Green, who became the first African-American player in team history on July 21, 1959.