Pinched hitter Abreu says hammy OK
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Jose Abreu was in good spirits Wednesday, a day after he left a Cactus League game with a tight left hamstring.
“I feel really good right now,’’ Abreu said.
Abreu said he felt a “pinch” in the hamstring during the pregame warmup, and when it stayed with him during the game, manager Rick Renteria sent him to the trainer’s room.
“It wasn’t something major, but when I ran out the ground ball [ his second time up], I felt the pinch again, and I didn’t want to try something reckless,’’ Abreu said.
He’s getting treatment and said he hopes to be back in the lineup by Friday, at the latest, although Renteria cautioned he won’t rush his star first baseman back into action. The Sox play their last Cactus League game Sunday and have an exhibition game in Charlotte against their Class AAA team in advance of opening day next Thursday.
Abreu has no worries about being ready by then.
“It’s nothing to be concerned about,’’ Abreu said. “I’m laughing because it’s not a big deal.’’
Catcher Kevan Smith ( sprained left ankle) also exited the game Tuesday and was being re- evaluated by a specialist.
“He’s walking around good, with no limp, hardly any swelling,” Renteria said. “We’ll know more tomorrow.’’
Smith’s injury likely nails down the backup catcher’s job for lefthanded- hitting Omar Narvaez.
Rotation set
The writing has been on the wall for weeks, but Renteria has been hesitant to voice his rotation. Until Wednesday, that is, when he acknowledged openingday starter James Shields will be followed by Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez, Miguel Gonzalez and Carson Fulmer.
Renteria also said the Sox will break camp with 13 pitchers.
“We’re closing in on an idea of [ the bullpen],’’ Renteria said. “We still have a few days left in camp, and we might start making some of the decisions in the next couple of days.’’
With Fulmer regaining control of his spot as the fifth starter, that would put left- hander Hector Santiago ( one earned run allowed in 12 innings) in the bullpen as a long man.
This and that
Left- hander Carlos Rodon is scheduled for his second side session off a mound Thursday as he works his way back from arthroscopic shoulder surgery on Sept. 28. Rodon, who might have been the opening- day starter had he been healthy, is expected to miss the first two months of the season.
Center fielder Adam Engel was scratched from the lineup with a stiff neck. Utility man Leury Garcia was scratched to tend to a personal matter.
Giolito joined the Taylor Hooton Foundation Advisory Board, a group of players leading the push against performance- enhancing drug use. There are 35 members on the board, which includes at least one player from 27 of the 30 major- league teams.
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Lopez is ready
Reynaldo Lopez, who will start the Sox’ third game in Kansas City against the Royals, almost went off the rails when he walked three in a row. But Lopez escaped, did not walk another and finished with five innings of three- run ball.
“I was kind of angry with myself, but I didn’t lose control of the inning,’’ Lopez said.
Lopez’s second- best pitch behind his fastball is his changeup, but his mission is to elevate his curve to No. 2 status in his arsenal. That was a big part of his focus against the Padres.
“I’ve got one more [ start], but today’s outing was one I needed,’’ said Lopez, who gave up a two- run homer to Eric Hosmer in the fifth. “Now I feel ready for the season.’’
No minor accomplishment
The Sox’ lineup featured three or four starters with a chance to make the opening- day lineup, with many minor- league extras filling in. One was minor- league Rule 5 catcher Yermin Mercedes, who homered. Another was infielder Mikey Duarte, who led off the ninth with a double in his first Cactus League game but did not score. It was an emotional moment for Duarte, whose sister was killed in the Las Vegas mass shooting Oct. 1.
An eye on the bullpen
Left- hander Aaron Bummer pitched a scoreless inning, and right- hander Juan Minaya was extended to two, giving up a homer but retiring every other hitter he faced. Both were used rather prominently in the second half of 2017 and are trying to nail down spots in an opening- day bullpen competition tightened by notable performances from non- roster invitees Robbie Ross Jr., Xavier Cedeno, Rob Scahill ( one scoreless inning Wednesday), Bruce Rondon and Chris Volstad.
On deck
Sox at Diamondbacks, Scottsdale, Miguel Gonzalez vs. Taijuan Walker, 8: 40 p. m. Thursday. — Daryl Van Schouwen