Sale to pitch Sox opener
Price, Porcello and then anyone’s guess
FORT MYERS — One year after injuring his elbow during a live batting practice session, David Price is one start away from completing an injury-free spring training.
After Price made progress with another smooth outing against the Pittsburgh Pirates yesterday, Red Sox manager Alex Cora was happy to announce the first three pitchers in his starting rotation.
Chris Sale will start Opening Day next Thursday at Tropicana Field against the Tampa Bay Rays, followed by Price and Rick Porcello.
This will be Sale’s first Opening Day start for the Red Sox after the honor was given to Porcello last year, when former manager John Farrell rewarded Porcello for winning the Cy Young Award in 2016.
Cora told Sale on Monday after he allowed four runs in five innings against the Philadelphia Phillies.
“He was cool and excited about it,” Cora said, “but he wasn’t excited about his performance. I told him, ‘Hey, tomorrow you run the bases, start getting ready, and you got Game 1 and Game 6.’ ”
A healthy Price will be “huge for us and he knows it,” Cora said. “He’s been saying it the whole time. He understands what he means to this pitching staff. You put him with all those other guys and it looks like a dominant rotation.”
Left-hander Brian Johnson is also expected to start the year in the rotation, Cora said. With Drew Pomeranz, Steven Wright and Eduardo Rodriguez all behind schedule because of injuries, Johnson, who has impressed this spring, could step in as the fourth starter to begin the year.
Rodriguez also has a chance, Cora said. He threw parts of four innings in a minor league game yesterday and will be put on a four-day schedule as the Sox look to speed up his progress and get him back for the first turn through.
“What happened on that field with Eduardo today, that was Chris, that was Rick, that was David; they’re pushing him,” Cora said. “It’s like he’s their little brother. I’m happy with everything going on in that clubhouse, especially those guys. They’re taking charge, which is great.”
After recovering from offseason knee surgery to correct an issue resulting from a separated kneecap on multiple occasions, the 24-year-old Rodriguez has taken the fast track.
“Everything was really good,” he said. “It was the first time I was in a real game and the pitches were really good. Changeup, slider was working really good. My knee feels really good. My mind is good. Everything is good.”
Price is encouraged watching Rodriguez.
“He’s far more advanced than I was and probably every other starter we have here was when we were 24 years old,” he said. “I threw two pitches at that time. He’s got a four-pitch mix to both sides of the plate. It’s been a lot of fun to watch him over the past couple years and seeing how well he’s evolved and how much he wants to get better and how much he pays attention. That’s what you want from those young guys.”
Feeling so good
Price threw five innings, allowing two runs on three hits and a walk and striking out four yesterday to lower his ERA to 2.00.
“I guess today is the 20th, so this is the best I’ve felt on March 20 in spring training,” Price said. “I want to continue this trend up until my first game. That’s what I plan to do and I’m excited.”
The Red Sox’ new regiment of allowing their pitchers to take more rest between starts is working well, Price said.
“Especially on bullpen days, not having to go out there and stretch with the team or go to the training room early, then you come in here and sit through a meeting, then go out there and stretch,” Price said. “Our bullpen day is our bullpen day. You go to the training room, weight room, go out there and throw. You pitch. I don’t think we had to buy into. It was something we all had never done before, but it’s been really good.
“I expected to feel good. I feel like in spring there’s always a little setback. Not anything major, just something that doesn’t allow me to go out there and throw my bullpens or throw in a game for about two or three outings when I really want to be able to go work on stuff. To feel the way I’ve felt, to be able to go through bullpens and work on stuff, it’s been enjoyable.”
Travis homers again
First baseman Sam Travis hit his fifth home run of the spring. He’s due for more Triple-A time, but Cora has been impressed.
“He’s been hitting the ball all over the field,” Cora said. “Two homers in Jupiter. Then here he hits two home runs to the pull side. He really understands what he’s doing at the plate.”
‘Hispanic’ PawSox
The PawSox will change their name for most Tuesday home games to Osos Polares de Pawtucket, or, in English, “Polar Bears of Pawtucket.”
They’re joining a group of 33 minor league teams participating in an initiative “specifically designed to embrace the culture and values that resonate most with participating teams’ local U.S. Hispanic/Latino communities.”
The PawSox will wear different uniforms and caps for these select games.