Sox, Yanks called for COVID
Cashman: 6 cases within NY organization
The beginning of an exciting Red Sox second half on what was supposed to be a big night in New York will have to wait at least one day.
Thursday night’s Red SoxYankees game at Yankee Stadium — the only game on the MLB calendar — was postponed due to multiple positive COVID-19 tests within the Yankees organization.
RED SOX NOTEBOOK
Yankees general manager
Brian Cashman said there are six cases within their team, all players. Three pitchers —
Nestor Cortes Jr., Wandy Peralta and Jonathan Loaisiga — tested positive for COVID, and the other three are pending.
According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, the three Yankees with pending test results are
Aaron Judge, Gio Urshela and
Kyle Higashioka. Because Judge was at the All-Star Game, that has triggered the five Red Sox All-Stars to undergo additional testing.
The Yankees had canceled pregame batting practice shortly after 4 p.m. due to health and safety protocols. Within an hour, the game was called to allow for continued testing and contact tracing.
It’s worth noting that the Yankees have reached the 85% vaccinated threshold as a team, and the three players who tested positive have been vaccinated. The Red Sox have not reached the 85% threshold.
No makeup date has been announced yet, and Cashman said shortly after the postponement that it was too soon to say what it means for the rest of the weekend. The Red Sox were scheduled to play four games in the Bronx this weekend to start their second-half schedule.
Duran gets call
Jarren Duran was called into Worcester manager Billy McMillon’s office shortly after the first game of their doubleheader at Polar Park on Wednesday, and had some exciting news waiting for him.
But at first, it wasn’t the news he was exactly expecting.
“He actually told me, ‘Yeah, they opened up a spot on the Olympic roster for you,’” Duran said. “I was like, ‘Oh, awesome. Cool.’”
What followed was a little bit cooler.
“But he was like, ‘You could actually go to the big leagues if you want to do that. That could be a side job for you.’”
Duran took the second option. After years of dreaming and months of anticipation, the top outfield prospect was finally called up to the Red Sox, joining them in New York for this weekend’s series against the Yankees. He was set to bat seventh and play center field on Thursday night, but his debut had to be put on hold due to the postponement.
But the 25-year-old who was drafted in the seventh round in 2018, who made a meteoric rise to the majors over the last few years, was on cloud nine.
“It means the world to me,” Duran said. “I still don’t think it’s hit me yet. Everybody keeps telling me, ‘You seem a little bit too calm for being called up.’ I still feel like it hasn’t hit me yet. Probably not until I see the Yankees across the way from us.”
Sale strong in first rehab start
Chris Sale’s first rehab start provided a strong foundation to build on as he eyes a return to the Red Sox later this summer.
In his first game action since August 2019, Sale made his first start in his return from Tommy John surgery for the rookie-level Florida Complex League Red Sox on Thursday. He threw three shutout innings — one more than manager Alex Cora said he would pitch — and struck out five as he allowed four hits and no walks against the FCL Orioles. He threw 39 pitches.
Sale’s fastball topped out at 97 mph, according to Cora, and sat at 93-94.
“He’s very excited,” Cora said. “Going into the game he felt good, during the game he felt good, after the game he felt good. … He said he got hit around, quote, unquote. They were swinging the bats, which is good. I think competition is always great, not dominating at will. That’s always good confidence-wise, but I think the fact that he had to work is a plus for us.”
Sale’s next start will come on Tuesday in Portland.
Houck to take big role in return
Duran isn’t the only player the Red Sox called up from Worcester on Thursday. Tanner Houck is back, and the Red Sox plan to use the pitcher in a big way.
Houck, who missed time earlier this season with a sore flexor muscle, returned to make five rehab starts in Worcester and was ready to join the Red Sox in New York this weekend. The right-hander, who has been impressive in four career Major League starts, will be used out of the bullpen and in spot starts to begin the second half.
Cora said Houck will go back and forth between the bullpen — where he’ll be used in a multi-inning role like Garrett Whitlock — and starting to help the rotation as they begin a stretch of 19 games in 19 days. Before Thursday’s game was postponed, Cora said Houck was scheduled to start next Wednesday against the Blue Jays.
“We really believe this is the right way of doing it,” Cora said. “We’re not trying to outsmart people here, either. Our guys have been solid for X amount of games. We trust them. But adding this kid is going to make us better.”