Versatility will give Cora options

FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Red Sox are six weeks away from selecting an Opening Day roster, but it’s already evident that the defensive versatility of their position-player group should allow the team to carry an extra relief pitcher.

“That’s going to be great for us,” manager Alex Cora said Wednesday. “If we can actually go with less position players and more pitchers, so be it.”

Kiké Hernández has started games at every position except pitcher and catcher in his career. Outside of center field, Marwin Gonzálezhasd on ethe same.

Bobby Dalbec, who is lined up to start at first base, was primarily a third baseman in the minors, and a very good one.

Christian Arroyo has started games at second base, third base and shortstop. Michael Chavis has experience at four spots, including left field.

Jonathan Araúz was primarily a second baseman as a rookie last season but had two starts at third base and two at shortstop.

Even catcher Christian Vázquez can play first, second or third in a pinch, and backup catcher Kevin Plawecki can play first base.

“These guys who are going to be a part of this team, they’re going to help us to create matchups [because] we can move them around defensively,” Cora said.

“They’re going to help us to actually protect the pitching staff. It’s odd to say it, but our position players will give us room to maneuver our pitching staff.”

With a 26-man roster this season, the Sox could easily carry 14 pitchers.

That would allow them to use their starting pitchers carefully early in the season.

Eovaldi goes two innings of live BP: Nate Eovaldi faced six hitters in two innings of live batting practice and located his fastball well.

“He’s ahead of some guys,” Cora said. “Medically we mapped it out.”

Eovaldi is 6-3 with a 5.04 earned-run average since agreeing to a four-year, $68 million contract after the 2018 World Series.

The right-hander missed three months of the 2019 season with an elbow injury and two weeks last season with a strained right calf.