‘Exciting’ return
After long recovery, Thornburg activated
RED SOX NOTEBOOK
WASHINGTON — Nineteen months after the Red Sox traded for Tyler Thornburg, the reliever finally joined the team’s active roster.
And he may even pitch in today’s series finale against the Nationals.
“Pretty good,” was how Thornburg took the news after the Sox’ 11-4 win last night. “I’d say I’ve been looking forward to it for a while. It’s exciting. Looking forward to it for sure.”
Thornburg admitted that the wait, caused by shoulder issues that led to surgery, has been a little weird.
“It’s just been one of those that at times it’s felt like it was never going to get here and then other times it felt like it was right around the corner and kept going and going,” said Thornburg. “I feel like I’ve been waiting long enough so I’m definitely excited.”
He cautioned that how he pitches at first may not be as good as how he expects to be pitching later in the season.
“It’s going to be something I’m going to have to stay on it and be smart about but the good part is as the season progresses it should be something that just continues to tick up the more outings I get,” he said.
William Cuevas was optioned back to Pawtucket to make room for Thornburg.
E-Rod to change up
Eduardo Rodriguez was not sharp the last time he pitched, allowing five runs on seven hits in the Sox’ series-opening loss against the Yankees last Friday.
Both he and the team believe they found the secret to turning around his fortunes when he faces the Nationals today.
“Attacking the zone, make them chase my pitches,” Rodriguez said yesterday. “You will see tomorrow, just go out there and pitch and try to get us in position to win a game.”
Manager Alex Cora said Rodriguez needs to make the Nats chase his changeup, a pitch he was not throwing Friday in the Bronx.
“Pitch mix. We’ve been talking about it.” Cora said. “He has one of the best changeups in the league, and he has stayed away from it in the last two starts. He has to use it. He was too fastball-heavy in New York. We do feel the more he throws his changeup, the better he’s going to be.”
Since allowing eight runs against the Marlins in his first interleague start in August 2015, Rodriguez is 4-1 with a 2.87 ERA in nine starts against the NL.
Moreland backs out
First baseman Mitch Moreland left the game before the bottom of the third inning due to back spasms.
“I didn’t really feel it on a specific swing or anything,” said Moreland. “I was kind of running the bases and it felt like it got tighter and tighter. Went back out for that one inning and kind of went after that one ball on the bag and it was tight by that time. I tried to come in and get it loose for my atbat but didn’t really have much time to do much. AC (Cora) was just like, ‘Let’s play it safe.’ So I came in, got some treatment, threw some ice on it and let it rest a little bit.”
Even though he feels the spasm, Moreland downplayed its severity.
“Breathing, turning, that kind of stuff,” said Moreland. “I ain’t bad. Another day or two and I’ll be right back, hopefully.”
Said Cora: “I wasn’t planning on playing him (today), so definitely he won’t play. Take advantage of the two days, tomorrow and the off day, and see if he’s ready to play on Friday.”
Xander’s lucky 13
Shortstop Xander Bogaerts’ 13th home run of the season last night meant he topped his 2017 total in his 69th game this year. He also has 36 extra-base hits . . . .
Jackie Bradley Jr. got last night off. The lineup today will feature, in some order, J.D. Martinez in left field (he played right last night), Bradley in center, Mookie Betts in right, Steve Pearce, who replaced Moreland last night, at first, Eduardo Nunez at second, Brock Holt at shortstop, Rafael Devers at third and Christian Vazquez at catcher.