Ramirez ready for a recovery
After painful 2017, Boston DH works on repaired body.
Coming off a career-worst batting average and sizable drop in production, Red Sox designated hitter Hanley Ramirez turned to a new offseason workout routine — he’s following Patriots star quarterback Tom Brady’s TB12 method.
The 34-year-old Ramirez felt like entering the later stages of his career that it was time to make a change. For him, who better to follow than a 40-year-old QB that just captured his third MVP award.
“I went on the Tom Brady side,” said Ramirez, who reported to camp in Fort Myers, Fla., on Friday, a few days before full-squad workouts begin. “I think it’s 100 percent everything he says in the book, the work he does, makes sense.”
Fighting through a left shoulder injury last season that he had to be surgically repaired during offseason, Ramirez couldn’t wait to spend the winter concentrating on Brady’s workout guidelines.
“I started doing that last year at the end of the season a little bit — with the bands,” Ramirez said. “I think I was feeling a little better. I was waiting for the offseason to start 100 percent.”
Signed to an $88-million, four-year contract as a free agent before 2015, Ramirez didn’t hide from how poor he felt he hit last season.
“That was terrible,” he said when asked about his .242 average. “RBIs. RBIs. That’s how you win games.”
He said the injury greatly affected his power — just 23 homers with 62 RBIs after putting up 30/111 the year before.
“Literally, I was hitting with one arm last year and hit 23,” he said. “I should hit 30.”
Yankees prospect shot in Venezuela: Thairo Estrada, a 21-year-old second baseman / shortstop / third baseman who is the ninth-rated prospect in the organization by Baseball America, was shot in the right thigh area during a robbery attempt in late January in his hometown of Bejuma while entering a restaurant with his wife.
Estrada had surgery. Though the bullet remains lodged in soft tissue, Estrada said no further surgery is anticipated and he expects to be able to ride an exercise bike by next week. Manager Aaron Boone said the infielder, who hit .301/.353/.392 last season with Double-A Trenton, is questionable for the start of the season but should be ready soon thereafter.
Mets: All-Star pitcher Jason Vargas agreed to a $16 million, two-year contract.
The deal is pending a physical, a person familiar with the agreement said, speaking on condition of anonymity because it had not been announced.
Vargas went 18-11 with a 4.16 ERA for Kansas City last season, making his first AllStar team and tying for the major league lead in wins.
Rangers: Edinson Volquez agreed to a minor league contract, returning to his original team with a chance to be a candidate for the rotation in 2019.
The 34-year-old Volquez will not pitch this season while recovering from ligament reconstruction surgery on his right elbow last August.
Volquez has a 93-87 career record in 276 games for seven teams.
Cardinals: Pitcher Bud Norris finalized a $3 million, one-year contract.
The 32-year-old righthander led the Angels with 19 saves in 23 chances last season. He went 2-6 with a 4.23 ERA in three starts and 57 relief appearances, striking out 74 in 62 innings.
Thursday’s Games Friday’s Games
Flyers 2, (at) Blue Jackets 1 (OT): Sean Couturier scored 1:52 into overtime as Philadelphia won in Columbus for the first time in 12 tries dating to 2005. Wayne Simmonds also scored, and Michael Neuvirth stopped 35 shots. Cam Atkinson tied the game with 3:28 left in regulation.
Islanders 3, (at) Hurricanes 0: John Tavares scored his 30th goal of the season, and Thomas Greiss stopped 45 shots for New York’s second straight shutout and second of the season. Jaroslav Halak made 50 saves in Thursday’s 3-0 win against the Rangers.
Avalanche at Jets: Late
Blues at Stars: Late
NHL notes
Flames: Center Mikael Backlund, 28, signed a six-year, $32.1 million deal to stay with Calgary, deciding against testing free agency this summer. He had his best season a year ago with 22 goals and 31 assists in 81 games and this season has 10 goals and 34 points through 58 games.
Panthers: Goalie Roberto Luongo, out since Dec. 4 with a groin injury, will start tonight in Calgary, coach Bob Boughner said. Luongo began practicing again Feb. 8.
Golden Knights: William Karlsson got the 100th point of his career with his 30th goal of the season as the Golden Knights beat the Oilers 4-1 late Thursday. Vegas improved to 14-1-1 against Pacific Division teams in its inaugural season, while avenging its two losses, which both came against the Oilers. The 8-2 loss at Edmonton on Nov. 14 still ranks as the worst loss in Vegas’ brief 57-game history. Ryan Carpenter, Jonathan Marchessault and Erik Haula also scored for Vegas, while Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 28 shots to improve to 186-2 and move seven wins shy of 400 for his career.