Topic of conversation
Sandoval’s progress has Sox thinking he may help
RED SOX NOTEBOOK
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Panda could return for this year’s World Series?
Let’s get real. Pablo Sandoval probably isn’t coming back in 2016, even though the Red Sox opened that door a bit yesterday afternoon. “Not ruling it out,” Sox manager
John Farrell said. Yes, Sandoval, the same guy who was in terrible shape to begin the season and then had surgery on his left (non-throwing) shoulder in early May that was supposed to end his season, has a tiny chance to return.
Sandoval’s ahead of schedule in his recovery, to the point he’s been the designated hitter in instructional league games in Florida. He lost some weight, and worked out with the big league team before yesterday’s game at Tropicana Field.
“I’m just focusing on getting better every single day,” Sandoval said yesterday. “It’s not my decision, those decisions, so the thing I’m focusing on is getting back on the field healthy.”
Sandoval would have to keep progressing as he plays the field, keep strengthening his shoulder to come back this year.
But there would have to be a true major league need, as well. Sandoval’s not going to simply push someone out of the way at this point, not unless something wacky happens.
“You can never forecast injury, you can never forecast what takes place ahead,” Farrell said. “Nothing has been ruled out with Pablo. Particularly with how he’s responding. He’s well ahead of schedule.”
That’s a surprise, Farrell acknowledged.
“We’re not getting too far ahead of ourselves here,” Farrell said. “But at the same time, compliment him for the work that he’s put in.”
And that might be the essence of what Farrell had to say yesterday.
In the big picture, saying Sandoval could return is a no-lose proposition. It may boost Sandoval’s confidence heading into an important winter, where he’ll have to keep the pounds off. Plus, it can’t hurt what’s left of Sandoval’s trade stock.
If Sandoval doesn’t come back, so what? The Sox are back where they started.
Wright takes step back
What seemed to be positive momentum building for the injured Steven Wright was interrupted yesterday.
The knuckleballer threw from 120 feet for a second straight day in Fort Myers, but wasn’t comfortable enough to be in position to throw a bullpen today at Tropicana Field.
“It was not to the point where he felt like he was going to throw his bullpen here tomorrow,” Farrell said. “So he’ll remain in Fort Myers and continue to progress. Logically, the days continue to come off the calendar, so where that puts him in terms of getting back on the mound, getting back to us, that becomes with each passing day a little bit less likely.”
Farrell said it’s been day-today all along with Wright, who has throwing shoulder inflammation. One year anniversary
Mike Hazen was announced as the Sox general manager a year ago yesterday.
“It’s been great,” he said. “A lot better finishing here than where we finished the last couple years.”
The title with the Red Sox, of course, doesn’t mean what it used to. Ben Cherington, Hazen’s predecessor, was a GM with final say. Hazen is not. But that doesn’t mean his promotion a year ago is of diminished importance.
Dave Dombrowski, who does have the last word, was just a month into his tenure as president of baseball operations when he hired Hazen. The choice ensured the many processes going right wouldn’t be disrupted.
“A of lot of the executives that were in that department were obviously uncertain, and didn’t know what was going to happen,” Sox president Sam Kennedy said. “I think Dave quickly evaluated our minor league system, scouting, our player development apparatus. And for him to consider external candidates, and then go internally and name Mike Hazen general manager, I think is a statement we’ve been doing things here over the years very, very, very well in terms of our baseball operation. I think a lot of what Mike Hazen has been working on in his time here over the last decade or so is on field. You’re seeing a lot of the results of his hard work. I was really pleased that Dave didn’t come in looking to make sort of wholesale changes in terms of our practices and procedures, in terms of how we approach the draft, in terms of our player development.
“I think the two of ’ em have a good working relationship. They’re obviously very, very different personalities.”
Hazen spoke highly of Dombrowski.
“I couldn’t imagine working for somebody better in this environment,” Hazen said. “It was obviously tricky, how it all started. I’ve had the tremendous benefit of working for three very, very good GMs, presidents in Dave, Theo ( Epstein) and Ben. I’m very grateful for that.”
Kennedy and Hazen praised Cherington, who was recently hired in the Blue Jays front office.
“I was very happy for Ben personally,” Kennedy said. “I can’t say that I wish him well now because we’re competitors, but I knew that he was going to end up back in the game.”