Red Sox retire Ortiz’s number
BOSTON — David Ortiz stepped up to the microphone, wiped the tears from his eyes and waited for the sold-out Fenway crowd to shout “Papi!” a few more times.
The Red Sox waited at the top of their dugout. The Los Angeles Angels tipped their caps. Friends and family and dignitaries from two countries lined the infield. Three World Series trophies glistened in the twilight sun.
Hall of Famers Carl Yastrzemski, Pedro Martinez, Wade Boggs and Jim Rice — whose numbers preceded Ortiz's to the Fenway facade — were the only ones who could know how he felt.
“It's an honor to get to see my number right next to all those legends,” Ortiz said before his No. 34 was unveiled along the right-field roof boxes on Friday night.
BOSTON (AP) — The Red Sox have claimed right hander Doug Fister off waivers in a move to provide depth to a rotation that has struggled with injuries.
President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski announced the move Friday. Manager John Farrell said Fister is slated to make his first start in Sunday's series finale against the Los Angeles Angels. Boston is hoping he can provide help with starters Steven Wright out for the season after left knee surgery and Eduardo Rodriguez rehabilitating a right knee injury.
Fister, 33, was released from his minor league contract with the Angels at his request on Thursday. He was pitching with their Triple-A affiliate in Salt Lake City, but had a clause in his deal to opt out if he wasn't added to the major league roster by June 21.
He spent the 2016 season with the Astros, going 12-13 with a 4.64 ERA.