Bogaerts flashing some confidence
Shortstop thinks sore shoulder will be ready for Opening Day
Xander Bogaerts seems confident he’ll be good to go when the season starts.
The Red Sox shortstop, who’s been nursing a sore shoulder that shut him down from camp, is progressing well. In an appearance on WEEI’s “Ordway, Merloni & Fauria” on Tuesday, Bogaerts was optimistic that the injury won’t keep him out of the lineup on Opening Day, which is three weeks from Thursday.
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“I think I will be ready by Opening Day barring any other weird injury that might come up or something,” Bogaerts said. “You never know. But as of now, yeah, I’ll be ready for Opening Day. My shoulder feels, I think pretty close to 100% and it’s just trying to get that strength back in it and just strength, mobility and making sure that this doesn’t happen again. It’s been a great rehab so far. The training staff, they’ve been getting me back in good shape.”
Red Sox manager Alex Cora said the injury stemmed from the shortstop being too aggressive with his offseason throwing program. Bogaerts has begun throwing again, and Cora said he’s expected to take batting practice on Wednesday. The manager said on Sunday that he’s hopeful Bogaerts can start playing in spring training games by this weekend, likely as a designated hitter.
Franchy’s status uncertain
It seems to be getting more unlikely that Franchy Cordero will be ready for Opening Day.
The new Red Sox outfielder, who was acquired last month in the Andrew Benintendi trade, still has not begun working out with the team in Fort Myers, even though he’s been at camp for a week. Cordero’s arrival to spring training was delayed after he was placed on the COVID-19 injured list, but he apparently still has one more hurdle to clear with COVID-19 intake protocols before he can join his new teammates on the field.
“Still waiting on one more step out of this process,” Cora said. “He’s here. He’s with the group. He cannot join the group on the field, but not because of us. Someone has to approve it.”
Cordero was already playing catch-up, but the longer delay has put the outfielder even further behind.
The Red Sox have three weeks from Thursday to get Cordero ready for Opening Day on April 1 against the Orioles, and at this point it’s unclear when he’ll be able to get into spring training games and get his necessary at-bats. The Red Sox are hopeful it can be done, but time is ticking fast.
“He hasn’t been able to do too much the last week, to be honest with you,” Cora said. “So, we gotta be careful. We gotta be careful. … It’s going to be catch-up, but I do believe we still have time for him to get going. If it takes longer, we have to regroup and see what we can do.”
Pivetta looks good
Nick Pivetta pitched a solid three innings in the Red Sox’ 11-3 loss to the Rays on Tuesday, as he gave up one run on three hits, struck out three and walked none. The lone run came on a single that Rafael Devers should have had, but the third baseman let it get by him.
Pivetta pitched a 1-2-3 third inning, finishing his outing by striking out Randy Arozarena.
“I feel pretty good, but there’s a lot of things I still need to iron out,” Pivetta said. “I need to get my curveball over for strikes, better command there for sure. Changeup is coming along pretty well. I’m staying in the zone, which I’m really happy with. Keeping my walks nil to none, which I’m happy with. But, to be honest with you, I’m never satisfied. There’s a lot more work to do, and I’m excited to move forward.”
Koji checks in
Hirokazu Sawamura had a familiar visitor on hand as he pitched a simulated game on Tuesday — Koji Uehara.
The two Japanese pitchers were teammates briefly in Japan, and Sawamura credited the former Red Sox pitcher as a big reason why he chose to sign with Boston. He’s also the inspiration behind his new No. 19, which he switched to after Jackie Bradley Jr. signed with the Brewers last week.
“It’s definitely an honor. I’m really honored to wear his number,” Sawamura said of Uehara, via translator Yutaro Yamaguchi. “If Jackie signed with the Red Sox, then I wasn’t going to ask for the number because I have so much respect for Jackie as a player and person, then after he signed with the Brewers, so that meant something to me to wear Koji’s number.”
Sawamura said he felt like he did “a pretty good job” in his sim game, and expects to pitch in a game next. He said he needs about three or four games to be ready for the season.
News and notes
Cora also casted doubt on Ryan Brasier’s availability for Opening Day after the reliever arrived late to camp due to personal reasons.
“That’s something we’re going to talk about in the upcoming days, but obviously we’re not going to rush him,” Cora said. “We’re not going to rush him.” …
Darwinzon Hernandez, who has yet to appear in a spring training game, is set to pitch in a simulated game on Wednesday. Matt Andriese will start Wednesday against the Braves, while Adam Ottavino and Tanner Houck will also see action. …
The Red Sox reassigned 12 players to minor league camp on Tuesday: catchers Roldani Baldwin and Austin Rei, and pitchers Seth Blair, Matt Carasiti, Raynel Espinal, Durbin Feltman, Franklin German, Zac Grotz, Kaleb Ort, AJ Politi, Thaddeus Ward and Josh Winckowski.