Cordero could be ready for Opening Day
Franchy Cordero’s readiness for Opening Day is coming down to the final week.
The new Red Sox outfielder seemed like a long shot to make the Opening Day roster after being traded for Andrew Benintendi last month and then being a late arrival to camp after being on the COVID-19 injured list. But the Red Sox are encouraged with his progress and haven’t ruled out the possibility that he can make the team next week.
“There’s a chance,” manager Alex Cora said. “We’ve been very impressed with the way he’s moving, we’ve been very impressed with the way he feels after games. I do believe that the big day for us now is Saturday. He will play (Friday), let’s see where he’s at Saturday. If everything goes well then, we’ll sit down as a group and then we decide what we’re going to do probably Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday.
“But it’s up to him. We’re not actually pushing him. He’s answered every challenge, everything that we’re throwing at him so that’s a positive. There’s a chance he can be with us on Opening Day.”
Cordero has appeared in three games this spring, two coming in the outfield. Though he’s only taken seven in-game at-bats, he’s had plenty of at-bats during batting practice and simulated games since his arrival, so that’s not his issue. The Red Sox are trying to get him up to speed with his conditioning, which they seem pleased with at this stage.
“It’s not that he’s behind with at-bats,” Cora said. “I do believe that he has more at-bats than anybody in camp here, so it’s just a
matter of him bouncing back from playing seven, playing eight innings in the field, and if he can do that, we might feel comfortable with where he’s at and what we can do with him in the upcoming week.”
Martinez out sick
J.D. Martinez was out of the Red Sox lineup on Wednesday and Thursday because he had some “bad sushi,” Cora said, causing him to get sick. The designated hitter was expected to come back to the complex for batting practice at 6 p.m. Thursday.
“(He) had diarrhea ( Wednesday),” Cora said. “He was throwing up. You want me to be more detailed? He’s gonna come in, he’s gonna hit in the back field at 6 by himself. Obviously, the other stuff still has to come into play — pro
tocols, the virus stuff. But he feels better. He’s gonna hit today and the plan is for him to play (Friday) and the next day.”
Martinez hasn’t had a productive spring training at the plate, hitting just .268 with no homers in 41 at-bats. But that’s nothing new for Martinez, who has just three homers in four spring trainings with the Red Sox, and they’re not worried about him as he tries to rebound from a poor shortened season in 2020.
“He probably hasn’t had the spring he wants to have, but you look back at 2018, if I remember, I don’t think he even hit a homer in ’18 and we know what he did that year,” Red Sox hitting coach Tim Hyers said. “So far it’s been, I’ve seen the J.D. that I like and a guy who has a lot more confidence, I feel, moving into this 2021 sea
son.”
Excitement for Kiké
Kiké Hernández has made a strong first impression both defensively and in his new role as the Red Sox’ leadoff hitter, and Hyers, who coached Hernández for two seasons with the Dodgers in 2016 and 2017, thinks fans will have a strong reception to him when the season starts next week.
“I think he’s going to be a big impact to this team,” Hyers said. “I know the Boston fanbase is going to love him. He’s going to bring excitement and he’s a fearless competitor, both offensively and defensively. He’s a guy that is not going to back down, no matter if things are going sideways, he’s a guy that every time he steps between the lines, he’s gonna give it all he’s got and he’s a tremendous competitor. I’m looking forward to his season.”
Renfroe impresses
Another new addition, Hunter Renfroe, has earned rave reviews all spring, not only for his power at the plate but his underrated outfield defense. Hyers has especially been impressed with the veteran’s consistent work rate.
“It’s like clockwork,” Hyers said. “He’s in the cage same time every day, he’s a guy that is very consistent with his work, doesn’t say much. He’s about getting the job done, getting his work done, and the other thing is, hanging around the cages, talking to other players, that’s a big asset to the team, and especially the hitting coaches to have that veteran presence, guy who has been around for a while, that can share ideas and show, especially show some of the younger players here in spring training how to work, and what it takes to be a major leaguer.”