Sore spot shelves Price
Cora is pretty sure lefty will miss start
RED SOX NOTEBOOK
CHICAGO — David Price rejoined the Red Sox on this road trip but his left wrist remains sore after being struck in his last start by a screaming line drive off the bat of the Marlins’ Austin Dean.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora all but officially confirmed Price will not make his scheduled start Monday in Atlanta, and will not start any of the games against the Braves.
“Still sore. He hasn’t thrown yet, most likely he won’t make his start in Atlanta,” said Cora. “He was supposed to pitch Monday. Two days, it doesn’t make any sense. I haven’t sat down with him yet, but (trainer) Brad (Pearson) told me he’s still sore. Feeling better but I don’t think he’s going to be ready for that one, so if he’s not ready for that one, we’ll push it back.
“He’ll be around us, but most likely won’t pitch in Atlanta.”
Cora said Price will continue to receive treatment as well as rest. The manager said “the swelling went down, it’s just sore. That’s it.”
The team has yet to announce a starter for Monday, but Cora said it probably would be old standby spot starter Hector Velazquez.
“Probably stay away from (Velazquez) this series,” said Cora. “He pitched two days ago, he was down yesterday, he’s down today, likely down tomorrow. Obviously we’re getting some arms coming up tomorrow. We should be OK as far as innings and trying to get 27 outs.”
Cora said the club expected to call up five players from Triple-A Pawtucket for today’s game, because teams can expand their roster.
Vazquez in uniform
Catcher Christian Vazquez (broken pinkie) flew in to join the team, was in uniform last night and is expected to be activated.
“He feels good, no issues behind the plate, which is very important,” said Cora. “He told me the other day that he didn’t even think about it when he was walking, he was worried about that part. Swinging the bat, he didn’t feel it.”
Rafael Devers will continue to rehab with Pawtucket for a few more games.
“He’s feeling good, he’s moving well but I think the at-bats are getting better for him,” said Cora, who said Devers wasn’t expected be among the first group of arrivals from the PawSox.
“Never know, if he hits four home runs today he might be here tomorrow,” said Cora.
Wright close to right
Steven Wright threw two “innings” yesterday at Guaranteed Rate Field with coaches Carlos Febles and Tom Goodwin as the batters.
Wright is close to being activated. After he makes a few appearances, Cora said he will not be afraid to use him in high-leverage situations.
“He’s a guy, when he’s on, he’s really good, he’s a change of pace, too — it’s interesting to say the least,” said Cora. “He’ll get his innings.”
Cora said beginning today the club will try out left-hander Drew Pomeranz as a specialist reliever to face left-handed hitters.
“See what he can do,” said Cora. “His stuff last time, it was good, he was throwing 93, and his cutter is back so we might start using him in a different role.” . . .
Third base prospect Michael Chavis will play in the Arizona Fall League, then in the Puerto Rico Winter League in order to get more at-bats after he lost time this season due to injury and a PED suspension.
Late moves possible
Heading into the waiver trading deadline, Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said through a spokesman that “anything is possible but it’s unlikely” the Red Sox would make a trade.
Cora recounted how last Aug. 31, when he was bench coach with the Astros, his team received not only outfielder Cameron Maybin but also a last-second addition who turned out to be instrumental in their World Series drive.
“That was my first big league managing that day the 31st — (Houston manager) AJ (Hinch) got thrown out in the first inning,” said Cora. “That day. We got Cam in the fourth inning, somebody came down and said, ‘We got Cam Maybin.’ ‘We got Cam Maybin. Oh.’ Then we got home and started texting each other around 10:30 right around there, nobody knew about it, (general manager) Jeff (Luhnow) wasn’t on the trip, AJ obviously didn’t say anything about it, and the phones started to explode honestly. Because we didn’t make a trade on July 31, and (Houston starter) Dallas (Keuchel) was very vocal about it. We got (Justin Verlander), the next day was an off day, we did all the stuff for the hurricane and when he showed up on Saturday, it was different, the vibe was very different.”
Cora agreed that it was rather strange when Keuchel spoke out for more help. Usually everybody in uniform is always content with who is in the clubhouse at the time.
“It was,” strange, said Cora. “Not everybody was happy with Dallas but you have to understand he went through the whole process, he went through 111 losses, and trades, and all of a sudden he felt like we were that good and ‘This is it?’ and we didn’t play good baseball in August. We sucked in August. Actually we got swept in Detroit and I think we got swept here too, it was getting and then all of a sudden we got him and everything changed. We got healthy, too.”