Eovaldi one step closer
Bullpen session latest hurdle for right-hander
DETROIT — Nathan Eovaldi, the Red Sox’ impending closer, threw a bullpen here yesterday. He’ll play catch today, and then throw another bullpen at Fenway Park on Wednesday.
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The Sox still have to get him used to throwing off the mound at full throttle every day, so the earliest he could return would be mid-July.
“He threw well, felt fine,” manager Alex Cora said yesterday.
Eovaldi has not pitched since April 17, shortly after which he underwent elbow surgery to remove loose bodies. His return was slowed by tendinitis.
Time off for two
Both Xander Bogaerts and J.D. Martinez were scheduled to start yesterday’s game against the Tigers on the bench.
Coming in, Bogaerts was tied for second on the team with Rafael Devers for games played (85) this season. Mookie Betts leads the Sox, playing in 86 of their 88.
“(Bogaerts has) been grinding since London, he mentioned something two days ago and he usually doesn’t talk about how he feels, he just keeps going,” Cora said. “I was thinking about it and last night I saw him after the game and he was dragging a little bit. I mean, everybody’s dragging. What he’s done the whole first part of the season has been great. With the conditions and everything that’s gone on the last 10 days, he needs it.”
Cora also said Martinez has “been grinding a little bit.”
Birthday boy Benny
In Martinez’ absence, hitting cleanup was left fielder Andrew Benintendi, who is struggling offensively and was given the previous two games off in order to get a mental break as he retools his swing.
“It’s his birthday, too,” Cora said. “Never know.”
Benintendi turned 25 yesterday ....
Christian Vazquez, batting .335 over his last 18 games and with multiple hits in four of his last five, was slated to bat third for just the second time in his career. Vazquez was to be the designated hitter . . . .
Mitch Moreland (right quad) is improving and will likely be sent out on a rehab assignment next weekend.