Fister states his case
Starter solid so far as fill-in
ARLINGTON, Texas — Whatever happens after tonight, Doug Fister can at least know he made a positive impression in his Red Sox audition.
Fister will start against the Texas Rangers, his third outing since the Sox claimed him off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels. Whether or not the team keeps him around will likely depend more on their evaluation of Eduardo Rodriguez.
The right-hander performed adequately through two starts, allowing six runs in 11 innings while striking out 11 and walking six. And his fastball velocity, a hot topic of conversation during his decline with the Washington Nationals and Houston Astros in 2015-16, is at a four-year high, averaging 90 mph.
“He’s made some big pitches with men on base in both starts,” Sox manager John Farrell said. “And that, to me, is a guy who doesn’t allow the game to speed up too much. He’s not afraid in big spots against key hitters to reverse the count. What I mean by that is to throw pitches in off the plate with purpose, trying to set up an off-speed pitch to record an out. He’s done that.”
The Sox scouted Fister in spring training when he was still a free agent. But Fister reportedly was looking for more money than most teams felt comfortable paying somebody who had a 4.64 ERA last season.
Fister finally signed with the Angels for a contract said to be worth $1.75 million. The Angels waived him after a few minor league starts and the Sox, having scouted each of his minor league starts, were quick to claim him, picking up his salary as well.
“Two months ago, I was sitting at home, doing nothing, and trying to get ready on my own,” Fister said. “So to be in the game again and be part of a great clubhouse, I’m so gracious for it. Things can turn on such a quick note. For me, I’m very, very grateful.
“I’ll tell you what, being part of this team has one been a humbling experience and just a blessing.”
Fister has found some success by forcing opponents to chase his pitches outside the zone. He’s getting swings on 38 percent of his pitches that would otherwise be balls, a career-high mark for him.
The Red Sox wouldn’t mind keeping him around — president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski witnessed three strong seasons firsthand when he was still the GM of the Detroit Tigers — but if they want to activate Rodriguez (knee dislocation) from the disabled list coming out of the All-Star break, that would leave no spot for Fister in the starting rotation.
Rodriguez, though, has not performed well in either of his rehab starts. He allowed six runs in three innings in Double-A Portland last week and did not do much better last night in Triple-A Pawtucket, where he allowed five runs in four innings. He walked five and struck out five, throwing 47 strikes on 88 pitches.
Farrell said he won’t move Rodriguez to the bullpen, and he’s certainly not going to do that with either of his other four starters, so Fister’s start tonight could be his final audition.
Kelly streaking
Joe Kelly’s scoreless streak is approaching the best in Red Sox history.
After his appearance Monday night, Kelly has thrown 23 games without allowing a run, the thirdlongest in club history. Koji Uehara owns the record with 27 straight in 2013, and Daniel Bard had a 25-game streak in 2011. Over the streak, Kelly has thrown 211⁄3 innings, walked seven, struck out 20 and held batters to a .187 average.
“He’s been outstanding,” Farrell said. “He’s benefited by the work schedule that we’ve had him on giving him ample recovery time. He’s had a little bit more needs than maybe some other guys down in that bullpen, but it’s agreed with him.”
Hanley heats up
In his first at-bat of last night’s 11-4 win, Hanley Ramirez roped a funky slider from Yu Darvish to the center field wall for a double, extending his hitting streak to nine games. He is 15-for-40 (.375) with five doubles and three homers during the streak.
Farrell said it’s the best he’s seen Ramirez hitting the ball since last year.
“You look at the hard contact in the middle of the diamond, that’s when Hanley’s at his best,” Farrell said. “It goes back to the 3-0 swing he had last homestand, the home run to center field. He had a number of hard hit balls back up the middle in Toronto. That’s when his timing is on and the impact is at his greatest when he’s at that approach.
“I’ve said many times before, his presence in our lineup can’t be overstated. He’s got a long track record of being a power hitter, a guy that hits for high average. Honestly we need him to be that type of hitter.”
Squeeze that juice
MLB reportedly sent letters to all 30 teams last week, assuring them that the baseballs used this season have shown no evidence of being juiced, even though home runs are on pace to set a new record.
“That’s a debatable topic,” Farrell said. “But I think we’re all seeing, at field level, we’re seeing balls travel with fair consistency a great deal.”