Eovaldi to IL with mild calf strain
Pillar tries to clarify Thursday’s comments
Nathan Eovaldi’s calf issues were evidently worse than what the Red Sox originally thought.
The Red Sox right-hander is heading to the injured list after an MRI revealed a “very mild strain” in his right calf, manager Ron Roenicke said. Eovaldi, who was scratched from his start last Wednesday before getting his rescheduled start Sunday pushed back, will be eligible to return next Saturday. He’ll throw bullpen sessions on Sunday and Wednesday.
RED SOX NOTEBOOK
Losing Eovaldi, the Red Sox’ No. 1 starter on a struggling pitching staff, is obviously a blow, even though it’s short term.
“No doubt with Nate,” Roenicke said. “The thing is, we’ve been kind of chasing this thing around with the calf. Like I told you, yesterday’s bullpen was definitely the best we’ve had. I kind of felt like it was going to be a while anyway. I think being able to backdate it and have a plan for him, we feel really good about him being ready on Saturday.
“So I think even though we know we’re losing him, at least I know now with the MRI that it’s nothing serious, we can get him back on the mound and have him pitch games again. You always wonder what’s going on, how long is this going to last, and we feel pretty good about what this is and when he’ll be back.”
Zack Godley will pitch Sunday’s finale against the Nationals, and Colten Brewer
will pitch Monday’s series opener against the Braves. Beyond that, the rotation is to be determined, with Kyle Hart possibly starting Tuesday.
There’s still no word on if new pitcher Nick Pivetta,
acquired in the trade with the Phillies last week, will make an appearance this season. Roenicke said chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom
drove to the alternate training site in Pawtucket to talk to Pivetta and see where he is.
“Those decisions are, we need to stretch him back out again,” Roenicke said.
“He hasn’t pitched for a while. Right now, we’re going to stretch him out and then see where that allows us to bring him up where we feel really confident that he’s ready and he’s extended out and built up enough strength to pitch the innings that, whatever we’re going to have him go.”
Pillar clarifies comments
Red Sox outfielder Kevin Pillar on Saturday clarified comments he made Thursday after the team’s decision to not play their game against the Blue Jays to support Jackie Bradley Jr. and the ongoing racial injustice in the country.
In a video posted to his Twitter account before Saturday night’s game against the Nationals, Pillar said he had received “a lot of reactions” to what he said Thursday and had time to reflect after not properly expressing his feelings.
“Is it more important that we uplift Jackie because he’s the only one?” Pillar said Thursday, in part, when he was asked about Bradley Jr. being the only Black player on the Red Sox. “My answer would be no. I think it’s important that we uplift everyone in this room. …
“It’s a touchy subject, but
I don’t think right now, as a country, we should be necessarily identifying individual groups of people that need to be uplifted. I think the vast majority of us would like to encourage to uplift everyone and support everyone.”
Reading from written notes, Pillar apologized for not using his voice the right way.
“After having some time to reflect, I’d like to take this opportunity to better explain what I did a terrible job of expressing to the media the other day regarding our team’s decision to not play, not only to support Jackie and his decision but because of the reoccurring, senseless acts of police brutality of Black people in this country,” Pillar said. “I was speaking on behalf of my experiences, especially growing up around baseball and in sports in general. I don’t view the world as the world views it, and that’s ignorant of me.
“My point I was trying to make is we have a responsibility as human beings to uplift each other, make each other better every single day. We as individuals need to take responsibility for what is going on across the country and make it stop by continuing to educate each other, love each other. Black lives do matter to me. Always have and always will.
“Lastly, I’m sorry for not using my opportunity, my platform to have spoken up about the injustices that we are seeing day in and day out across this country. For that, I am sorry, and I will continue to speak up for not only what is right, but also in what I truly believe in, and that is equality for all, making this country free of injustices, equal opportunities and accountability for our actions. One love. Thank you, guys.”
Holt finds new home
Brock Holt may make an appearance at Fenway Park this weekend, but not for the team you may think. The former Red Sox utility man, who was released by the Brewers this week, signed with the Nationals on Saturday.