Cora steps up to bat for his native Puerto Rico

BOSTON — Red Sox manager Alex Cora is never one to mince words.

And after recent events in his native Puerto Rico, Cora on Wednesday strongly called for Ricardo Rossello to step down as governor after leaked texts exposed Rossello’s offensive remarks toward political and public officials.

Other players of Puerto Rican descent, including 20-year major-leaguer Carlos Beltran, Astros shortstop Carlos Correa, and Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina, also have expressed their dismay.

“We’ve been very loud and clear today,” Cora said before Wednesday night’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park. “As a whole we’re very upset and very mad at what’s going on. Today in the morning I said it. I voiced my opinion about it and I think it’s time to make a change.

“It’s something that I’ve been very consistent about, using my platform the right way. It’s not easy sometimes. I’m the manager of the Boston Red Sox, but I know who I represent.”

Cora, who wore a blue T-shirt with a Puerto Rican flag across the chest, said that speaking out felt right.

Left-hander Brian Johnson threw 25 pitches in a simulated game Wednesday as he continues to work back into shape after going on the 10-day injured list on June 29 for a non-baseball related medical matter.

Johnson said he felt good and is hoping for a rehab stint in the minors sometime next week.

Meanwhile, first baseman Mitch Moreland (10-day IL, quadriceps) got two at-bats against Johnson and is scheduled to play Friday in Pawtucket.

After Chris Sale gave up five runs on seven hits in just 4 2⁄ innings in

3 a loss against the Dodgers on Saturday night, Cora said that it was on him and his coaching staff to help straighten out the ace left-hander.

Sale threw his standard bullpen session Tuesday and is set to start Thursday’s 1:05 p.m. series finale against the Blue Jays.

“It went well,” Cora said on Sale’s bullpen session. “I had some conversations with [pitching coach] Dana LeVangie and [bullpen coach Craig Bjornson] and he’s healthy and we’ll make some adjustments and go from there.

“The goal is to make adjustments. [Toronto] is a team that for some reason puts together good at-bats against us. For as bad as it was [against the Dodgers], we were one or two pitches from getting out of it. That’s the way I see it. Although it doesn’t look great, I’m still positive he can turn it around.”