E-Rod plans to be ready
Knee injury not as bad as in ’16
FORT MYERS — Eduardo Rodriguez’ right knee will have to be monitored by the Red Sox all spring, but as of yesterday, the pitcher believed he’ll be good to go by Opening Day.
“I will be ready,” Rodriguez said. “I’ll just work with the trainers to get in more shape and get as close to 100 percent as I can.”
The left-hander said this injury is not as bad as the one he suffered last spring, when he twisted his right knee catching fly balls in batting practice and didn’t make his season debut until May 31.
And no, Rodriguez didn’t originally think that injury would be a problem either. But after just a couple weeks, it was clear he wasn’t healing as fast as he had hoped.
It’s been more than six weeks since Rodriguez’ latest tweak, suffered during winter ball in Venezuela.
“It wasn’t like last year,” Rodriguez said. “It was just something where you get a scary moment and that’s it.”
If fully healthy, Rodriguez should push a pair of All-Stars last year, knuckleballer Steven Wright and lefty Drew Pomeranz, for one of the final two spots in the starting rotation. All three are dealing with injuries early this spring and have yet to throw bullpen sessions.
“I’m just going to do the best I can do to get in the rotation,” Rodriguez said.
Manager John Farrell said Wright and Pomeranz will throw their first bullpen sessions on Monday, while Rodriguez will throw off a mound for the first time today.
“We held him out of (pitchers’ fielding practice) drills, did more agility work for him,” Farrell said.
“There’s three guys in particular that this first five or six days on the field we’ve got some specialized routines for them individually. He’s one of them, along with Drew and Steven Wright.”
Rodriguez originally was hoping to play for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic but has since been moved to the secondary roster. He will only participate in the WBC if his native country advances, the team needs another pitcher and Rodriguez is cleared by the Red Sox medical staff.
In other words, it’s unlikely he will participate.
“I’ve got to see if the doctors will let me go,” Rodriguez said.
Bogaerts, Ramirez due
Shortstop Xander Bogaerts and first baseman/designated hitter Hanley Ramirez are due to report to camp today and will be among the last arrivals.
When Bogaerts, who was born in Aruba, leaves to play for the Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic, Brock Holt will handle the majority of the reps at short, Farrell said. That could change as the Sox get a closer look at third baseman Pablo Sandoval. Depending upon how that goes, Holt could be needed at third.
“We’ve got depth, versatility across that infield group to fill in there,” Farrell said.
Sandoval hasn’t been seen in camp since he arrived for one workout last Thursday, then said he was leaving to go to Miami. The team’s first official full-squad workout is scheduled for Friday. . . .
Despite being the only catcher who has minor league options, Blake Swihart said he’s still hoping to make the 25-man roster out of spring training. Sandy Leon and Christian Vazquez are out of options.
“Of course, that’s the ultimate goal for me,” Swihart said. “I’m going to go in and compete.
“It’s a friendly battle. We’re all good friends here. Whatever happens, happens, but I’m going to go out and do me. I’ve always prided myself on hitting. I know I can hit. I just want to go out there and prove it.”
Price makes pitch
Both David Price and Farrell already have mentioned that the lefty’s 17 wins last season indicate he had a strong year, but yesterday Price seemed to admit there should be improvement from the 3.99 ERA he posted in 2016.
“I know I can pitch here,” Price said. “I look forward to 2017. It’s probably the earliest that I ever had the itch to get back to a season. I’m very excited for this year.”
Asked if he had fun last year, Price smiled.
“More so in the clubhouse and in the dugout, not every fifth day,” he said. “I definitely had fun with these guys for sure.” . . .
Cy Young Award winner Rick Porcello was asked if he would trade the honor for a World Series trophy.
“I’d trade it right now,” Porcello said. “Both would be great. Let’s go ahead and get that done.”