Poyner enjoyed first experience with Red Sox
bmcgair@pawtuckettimes.com
PAWTUCKET — With an oasis of bigleague experience at his disposal, Bobby Poyner solicited the opinion of Red Sox left-handed pitchers Chris Sale, David Price and Brian Johnson.
As a fellow southpaw, Poyner wanted their thoughts on throwing a changeup to left-handed hitters. The fact the 25-year-old rookie was comfortable enough to approach Price and Sale tells you that he was already understanding the bigger and more important picture as related to his current status.
As fulfilling as it was to reach the majors, Poyner has shifted gears now that he’s officially a member of the Pawtucket Red Sox bullpen. The goal is to permanently stick with the parent club, hence why Poyner took the step he did when he approached Sale and Price.
“It’s a very tight-knit group up there that wants to win,” said Poyner prior to Pawtucket taking on Toledo in a Monday doubleheader at McCoy Stadium. “If that means helping a rookie out with something, they’re very willing to help. But those are the little things and adjustments that ultimately help make a huge difference. It could come from watching David throwing a bullpen on his side day or seeing how Rick Porcello goes about his PFPs.
“Anytime you get to watch guys who have been successful, you take bits and pieces and apply it to what you do,” Poyner added.
Poyner opened plenty of eyes during spring training, as his inclusion on the Red Sox’ Opening Day roster certainly qualifies as a feel-good story – as well as a surprise considering he had never thrown a pitch above Double-A prior to this season. He was officially added to Pawtucket’s 25-man roster on Monday after making two rehab appearances, one with Portland and the other with the PawSox.
“To make the club out of spring training was incredible and everything you work for and dream of while growing up,” said Poyner. “Now it’s about trying to get back up there.”
Poyner landed on Boston’s disabled list on April 12 with a left hamstring strain, an injury that he says started to surface a few days before his April 11 appearance against the Yankees. Drafted in the 14th round of the 2015 draft, Poyner was actually in the training room while Boston and New York staged a memorable donnybrook at Fenway Park earlier this month.
“It was mild enough that we were able to strengthen it quickly and here we are now,” said Poyner with a smile. “Everything feels synced up right now, but I also have to keep on working.”
Poyner was asked if things have somewhat slowed down for him now that he’s officially a member of the PawSox bullpen. He was the winning pitcher in Boston’s home opener and posted a 2.57 ERA in seven innings that spanned eight games before developing hamstring tightness.
“Honestly, it just boils down to making your pitches every day. Whether you’re in Boston or Pawtucket, you’ve got to continue to develop your pitches and work on them,” said Poyner, “but you’ve also got to show up to the ballfield every day with the goal of helping the team win. That has to be my mindset moving forward.”
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The addition of Poyner to the roster was one of several moves the PawSox made on Monday.
LHP Roenis Elias and infielder Jantzen Witte were subtracted. The list of additions includes Poyner, RHP Marcus Walden, and Jordan Betts, an infielder who made his Triple-A debut in Game 1 of the twin bill against the Mud Hens.
Elias was traded to Seattle, the team he originally broke into the majors with. The lefty appears to have found a home in the bullpen after enduring an injury-plagued 2017 season. In four appearances with the PawSox, he went 1-0 with a 1.23 ERA (one earned run in 7.1 innings) and nine strikeouts.
“He’s had some good outings and overall featured better command than what we saw in the past,” said PawSox manager Kevin Boles about Elias.
Witte was placed on the seven-day disabled list (retroactive to April 22) with a lower back strain. Walden is ticketed to make a start on Wednesday, but that could change. Steven Wright (back tightness) tossed a bullpen session on Monday and the Red Sox haven’t stopped to reset his 30-day rehab clock, which began last Friday.
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EXTRA BASES: The International League announced Monday that Pawtucket lefty starter Jalen Beeks was named the league’s Pitcher of the Week for the period from April 16-22. Beeks’ candidacy was enhanced after tossing six shutout innings against Gwinnett last Saturday. … Xander Bogaerts was in Toronto on Monday, watching Game 6 of the Bruins-Maple Leafs first-round series from a luxury suite with the Red Sox of his teammates. On Tuesday, Bogaerts is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with the PawSox. He appeared in 60 games for Pawtucket in 2013, batting .284 with nine home runs. … The series with the Mud Hens continues Tuesday night with Justin Haley (0-2, 3.21) on the hill for Pawtucket. … Toledo is managed by 2004 Red Sox champion Doug Mientkiewicz. Also on the Mud Hens’ roster is catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, who appeared in nine games for the PawSox in 2010 and was a member of Boston’s 2013 World Series outfit.