Price eyes relief work in Seattle
David Price is set to be the No. 5 starter in the Boston Red Sox rotation, but the lefty isn’t ruling out a relief appearance during the season’s opening weekend.
Price pitched four innings Tuesday in Boston’s final spring game, a 16-7 loss to the Chicago Cubs, then said he’s interested in pitching an inning or two during a season-opening series at Seattle that begins Thursday.
The 33-year-old Price was slowed this spring because of a norovirus, and Tuesday was his first game since March 12. Boston decided to slot Chris Sale, Nathan Eovaldi, Eduardo Rodriguez and Rick Porcello ahead of him in the rotation, with an eye on potentially getting Price some work during one of the first two regular-season games.
“I don’t know if he wants a tuneup, but we could do a cool thing in game one or two in Seattle just to get his feet wet,” manager Alex Cora said.
Price retired the first two batters in the Chicago fourth before Kyle Schwarber homered. Mark Zagunis tripled and scored on Addison Russell’s double before Price was pulled.
“He was good,” Cora said of Price. “Good stuff, good velocity, good location. He got his work in and now we go.”
More red sox: Chris Sale will have to wait until middle age to collect all his money from the Red Sox. His $160 million, six-year contract includes $50 million in deferred money that is not due to be paid until 15 years after it is earned, according to details obtained by The Associated Press. A lefthander who turns 30 on Saturday, Sale already was guaranteed $15 million this season under the second option year of the contract he signed with the White Sox before the 2013 season. That deal wound up being worth $59 million over seven years plus award bonuses. His new deal, announced last weekend, added $145 million over five years . ... Second baseman Dustin Pedroia started at second base and went 0-for-2, playing defense for five innings. Pedroia was limited to three games last season after undergoing a microfracture procedure and cartilage replacement in his left knee in October 2017. Pedroia and first baseman Steve Pearce (left calf) were expected to return to the Red Sox’s complex in Fort Myers, Fla., to continue their rehab. Pearce, the 2018 World Series MVP, will open the season on the injured list. ... Catcher Sandy Leon was outrighted. He has 48 hours to accept or decline. Yankees: Owner Hal Steinbrenner thinks New York has a championshipcaliber team as it heads into Thursday’s opener against Baltimore. “We’re excited,” Steinbrenner said Tuesday. “We’re as good as anybody. The team is going to do everything they can to win this thing. I believe they’re going to play up to their potential.” CC Sabathia made his second start since undergoing a heart procedure in December. He allowed one run, two hits and struck out three over three innings in a Triple-a game against Philadelphia. notes: Jose Ramirez is expected to be in the Indians’ opening day lineup Thursday, four days after fouling a ball off his left leg . ... Orioles’ righty Andrew Cashner will replace injured Alex Cobb as Baltimore’s starter Thursday on opening day at Yankee Stadium . ... Cubs righty Kyle Hendricks agreed to a contract that adds $55.5 million from 2020 to 2023 . ... Former All-star first baseman Todd Helton received a misdemeanor citation on a charge of driving under the influence after getting involved in a onecar accident. Helton’s lawyer says the former Rockies star entered a treatment program . ... MLB suspended Giants president and CEO Larry Baer without pay until July 1 after a video showed him in a physical altercation with his wife. Commissioner Rob Manfred said Tuesday that Baer’s conduct on the video was “unacceptable” and warranted discipline. Manfred says Baer should be held to a higher standard because of his position as a leader of the franchise.