E-Rod a boost to rotation
Healthy left-hander to start Saturday in Chicago
Help is on the way for the Red Sox pitching staff.
Eduardo Rodriguez, out since the middle of last month when he sprained his right ankle, will return to the rotation on Saturday in Chicago, manager Alex Cora said yesterday.
Rodriguez threw four scoreless innings with Double-A Portland on Monday in his second rehab appearance, allowing two hits and two walks with six strikeouts.
“I watched the game,” Cora said. “There were some good at-bats against him, but I think where he’s at physically and where we’re at with the repetitions, we’re comfortable with him. He went 76 pitches, I want to say. He’s a full go. Bringing him back is going to help us out, not only in the rotation but like I told you guys on Sunday it’s going to help our bullpen.”
The move means Hector Velazquez returns to the bullpen, and Drew Pomeranz will stay in the ’pen.
“It’s going to help us as far as managing the game if something happens early in the game,” said Cora. “We’ve been comfortable with that the whole season and we’ve been short I think the last two weeks, since Chris (Sale) went on the D.L. But having Eduardo back and obviously Chris later on is going to help us with that.”
The Red Sox are not going to rush it, but it sounds as if Sale is making progress from the mild left shoulder irritation that has sidelined him the last two weeks.
“He played catch (Monday) and he’s playing catch today again so that’s good,” said Cora. “That’s all I can give you right now. Like I said before there’s no date we’re shooting for. The date we’re shooting for is when he’s healthy. When he’s ready to pitch, he’ll pitch. Yesterday was a good start. Today he’ll go out again and we’ll see what he’s going to do tomorrow.”
There seems no doubt within the Red Sox’ organization that Sale will pitch again this season.
“Yes, he’ll be pitching for us in September,” said Cora.
Pedro pitches in
In the outfield before batting practice, Pedro Martinez worked with starter Nathan Eovaldi, who struggled in his last two starts.
“(Martinez) called me a few days ago and he said he noticed something with Nate, and he wants to help out,” said Cora, who was more than happy to accept the helping hand. “He did it in spring training with all the guys. I haven’t seen him in a while. I’ve seen him a lot on TV, but he hasn’t been here since Alumni Weekend or that game Julio Lugo hit a home run off of him. The fact that he’s paying attention to what is going on, it means a lot.
“He’s not the only guy who played for us who is paying attention. You get a text or a call from David (Ortiz). You get a call from Mikey (Lowell). They know what’s going on, how special this group is and whatever they can do from afar to help this team out or to show up here and help out is great. (Tim Wakefield) does the same thing with Steven (Wright) and I appreciate that.”
Martinez also worked with Rodriguez in the bullpen.
Vazquez ready to return
Christian Vazquez (fractured pinky) is pegged for a return during the upcoming series in Chicago. Cora left it up in the air about how much he will catch, noting backup Blake Swihart is doing a very good job.
“I don’t know, about how much Vazquez will catch,” said Cora. “Honestly, I’m very comfortable with the way Sandy (Leon) is playing and the way Blake is playing. It’s always tough to play three catchers in a weekly basis at the big league level, but at the same time, we know the impact he can have. We’ll play it dayby-day, honestly, when he comes back. I’ll sit down with the three of them. They understand that it’s a little bit different than it was early in the season, because Blake not only is swinging the bat well but he’s playing good defense.
“So when the time comes, we’ll sit down, we’ll talk to them, and we go from there.”
Vazquez caught Wright in Pawtucket yesterday. He is scheduled to DH for the PawSox today and then catch tomorrow before heading to Chicago . . . .
Rafael Devers (hamstring) will likely begin a minor league rehab assignment today.
“He’s good,” said Cora. “He’s running, he’s hitting, he’s taking groundballs.”