They believe only one lefty is right
ARLINGTON, Texas — The Red Sox will open the season with 12 righthanded pitchers and one lefty, 32-year-old journeyman Joely Rodriguez.
At a time in baseball when teams relentlessly pursue advantageous matchups with their relievers, it’s an unusual configuration.
It’s not that the Sox lacked candidates. They opened camp with eight lefthanders on the roster, including four on the 40-man roster: Brennan Bernardino, Joe Jacques, Chris Murphy, and Brandon Walter.
But only Rodriguez survived despite putting 15 runners on base over eight innings.
He exercised an opt-out in his contract last week, forcing the Sox to make a decision on his status. They elected to keep Rodriguez on the major league roster rather than let him walk.
Bernardino pitched 6„ scoreless innings, putting five runners on base and striking out five in seven games. But he had a minor league option remaining and the Sox chose to demote him to Triple A Worcester.
“It’s just another bump in the road,” Bernardino said on Tuesday. “I’ll do what I have to do and hopefully get back here.”
Said manager Alex Cora: “Opening Day is special and people are disappointed when they’re not going to be there. But you have to push and do your job wherever you go and come back to this environment.”
Cora went through similar situations during his playing career. As a manager, he puts the emotions aside in favor of what’s best for the team in the long run.
“I’m past that. I’ve been in those shoes,” Cora said. “You get back and do your job understanding you belong to the Red Sox organization.”
The Sox believe righthander Isaiah Campbell can handle lefthanded hitters when needed. Given the three-batter rule, lefty specialists have largely been legislated out of existence.
Still, carrying only one lefthander is unusual.
“Nobody feels comfortable with it. But roster-wise, we’re in a good position,” Cora said. “If something happens, we have guys who can come up here.”
Roster set
Unless something unexpected happens, the Sox have their 26-man roster in place.
The rotation will be Brayan Bello for the opener on Thursday in Seattle, followed by Nick Pivetta, Kutter Crawford, Garrett Whitlock, and Tanner Houck for the first game in Oakland.
The Mariners will pitch Luis Castillo, George Kirby, Logan Gilbert, and Bryce Miller.
The bullpen has Kenley Jansen and Chris Martin at the back end, with Campbell, Rodriguez, Chase Anderson, Justin Slaten, Greg Weissert, and Josh Winckowski.
The catchers are Connor Wong and Reese McGuire.
The infielders are Triston Casas, Bobby Dalbec, Rafael Devers, Pablo Reyes, Trevor Story, and Enmanuel Valdez.
The outfield will be Wilyer Abreu, Jarren Duran, Tyler O’Neill, Ceddanne Rafaela, and Masataka Yoshida.
Cora said Reyes is the backup shortstop. Dalbec will play first and third. Rafaela will primarily be a center fielder with some time on the infield.
“He’ll start some games at second base and short. But not much,” Cora said.
Cora said Abreu would play right field if he and Duran are in the lineup.
Story has told Cora he wants to play 155 games. He last did that in 2018, when he appeared in 157 games for the Rockies.
Jansen and Martin each pitched a scoreless inning in Tuesday’s 4-1 victory against the Rangers. That was their final hurdle after dealing with injuries that limited their use during camp.
“Ready to go,” Martin said.
The plan for Grissom
The plan for Vaughn Grissom is to stay in extended spring training until April 7, then rejoin the Red Sox at Fenway Park for the home opener before being assigned to a minor league team. He did not play in spring training because of a groin strain . . . O’Neill started his second consecutive game in right field and is ready for full-time defensive duty after being used cautiously during spring training because of a strained left calf . . . Nick Yorke was assigned back to Double A Portland, where he finished last season. Yorke had a
.785 OPS in 110 games at that level last season, but the Sox have infielders at Triple A who need playing time as they represent depth for the major league team . . . Former Red Sox pitching coach Dave Bush, who was fired after last season, is now with the Rangers as director of pitching strategy. He spent time with Cora and some of the players before the game. Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux coached Bush with the Brewers (2006-08) and Rangers (2011) . . . The Sox won’t see the Rangers again until Aug. 2 back at Globe Life Field. It’ll be the first of six games between the teams over 13 days . . . The Sox flew to Seattle after the game and have an optional workout at T-Mobile Park on Wednesday.