Wright stuff is worth a start
Knuckleballer on hill, but not in rotation
RED SOX NOTEBOOK
HOUSTON — The knuckleballer is finally getting a start.
Steven Wright will make his first start of the season on Tuesday as the Red Sox host the Detroit Tigers.
Wright has posted a 2.25 ERA in six games out of relief after undergoing knee surgery last year. His knuckleball is moving and he’s throwing strikes consistently, prompting the Red Sox to give him a chance out of the rotation.
But this doesn’t sound like a permanent chance.
Manager Alex Cora said the start is intended to push everybody else back an additional day. The five regular starters will already get an extra day of rest given the Sox are off today, but Cora wanted to extend that rest further.
“I do feel this is a time of year that, if I’m feeling it, I know they’re feeling it,” Cora said. “With the traveling, all those day games last week, I don’t know what time we’re going to get in (today) to Boston, so I think it makes sense to give him that start. I think it’s good for him and also I think pushing everybody back is going to be beneficial for us.”
Wright threw 56 pitches his last time out against the Astros Thursday, when he had three scoreless innings in relief of Drew Pomeranz.
“I think he can go five, maybe six innings,” Cora said. “But I think bullpen-wise, well, let’s see (last night) and then we’ll go. But we should be fine (tomorrow) with Brian Johnson and Hector Velazquez.”
Cora considers Wright a starter, but the way he has pitched out of relief, the Sox will consider using him in more high-leverage roles.
“It’s getting to the point in the bullpen where we’re going to push him a little bit harder,” Cora said. “We’ll think about that, man on, bring him in, and see how we can handle that.”
A day off for Devers
After going 1-for-12 with six strikeouts in the first three games of the series, Rafael Devers was on the bench last night.
Eduardo Nunez got the start at third base. Devers will likely be back in the lineup tomorrow.
“He’s been expanding a lot,” Cora said. “Just staying away from him today. Show up early, work with (the hitting coaches), try to get him back into a rhythm. Seems like right now, he’s late on fastballs and early on offspeed pitches. We need this guy to perform offensively.”
Devers’ strikeout rate, walk rate and home run rate are almost identical to his rookie year, but his batting average has plummeted from .284 to .226.
“The most surprising thing for everybody is the way he’s been playing defense,” Cora said. “Regardless of what’s been going on at the plate, he’s still moving well at third, making tough plays. We know about the errors (11) and all that, but I think the way he’s going about his business offensively, that’s a good sign.
“If you’re an offensive player and not performing at the level you want or we expected, for him to go out there and play the position the way he is, we’re very proud.”
Swihart back in outfield
Blake Swihart made his third start in right last night, and Cora said he’s quite comfortable with the catcher-turned-utility man in the outfield.
“I was always comfortable,” the manager said. “It’s just the situation we were in and the roster we had. One thing I told him the other day is like, ‘Don’t feel that you have to get four hits in one at-bat. Now relax. You don’t have to impress anybody. You’re part of the equation, just put good at-bats ... and I do think he’s putting quality atbats and hitting the ball hard. I know the numbers don’t reflect that, but I’m very happy with the approach.”
Swihart entered last night’s game 7-for-47 (.149) on the year. He’s expected to start a game at catcher this week.