Lefty back on pitch
Rodriguez delivers in first live BP of spring
FORT MYERS — Eduardo Rodriguez is taking the Red Sox’ worries away.
By showing no hesitation from the mound while facing hitters for his first live batting practice of the spring yesterday morning, Rodriguez helped convince pitching coach Carl Willis that these next few weeks will be a piece of cake compared to the disaster a year ago.
“Right now he’s showing us his delivery,” Willis said after watching Rodriguez throw. “I think last year, coming off the injury, the first time he’s experienced it with that leg, there was maybe a little bit of uncertainty in his mind. This was an injury but not as serious. He was pitching in Venezuela when the injury happened, so he had gotten to the point of not just coming into spring training and getting ready, but he was ready to pitch.
“What he’s doing right now is showing us there hasn’t been any hesitation or doubt in his mind that’s going to affect his delivery. That’s first and foremost what we wanted to see, and he’s been able to show us that since his return to the mound.”
An injury to his right knee kept him out until last May. He later admitted he wasn’t even 100 percent at the point of his return.
There was some uncertainty with how he far he’d be able to push himself in camp as he prepares for his second full season in the big league this time around, but Rodriguez is putting those concerns to rest.
“He looked really good,” Willis said. “He repeated his delivery really well. I think the key was starting in the same position, slowing it down a little bit. But all of his pitches today he threw and commanded the ball very well.”
The Red Sox believe Rodriguez is much better than his 4.71 ERA from 2016. He finished with a 3.30 ERA and 64 strikeouts in his final 60 innings.
The 24-year-old lefty is now scheduled to make his spring training debut on Thursday.
Competing with Drew Pomeranz (elbow) and Steven Wright (shoulder) for the final two spots in the rotation, Rodriguez is slightly ahead in terms of progress.
“Eddie is a little ahead,” Willis said. “But both of them are progressing very well. I think they have a couple of more sides and they will be getting into BP. If everything goes to plan, they’re still going to get five, or basically six starts.”
Lay it down, Panda
Pablo Sandoval, bunting, for a hit?
It happened yesterday as Sandoval attempted to lay down a bunt for a hit and was thrown out at first base during the Sox’ 8-7 win against the Twins. The crowd at JetBlue Park gave him a big round of applause.
“That was on his own,” manager John Farrell said. “But it’s something we’ve talked about trying to get some lanes back (to beat the shift), and the next at-bat you see them back in a two and two on either side, but you like to see those types of things attempted.”
Sandoval finished his first Grapefruit League game 1-for-3, recording a hit to left field on a soft blooper.
Pedey works at it
Dustin Pedroia had his first game action of the spring, going 1-for-2 with a double off the faux Green Monster in his first at-bat.
He said it felt great to be back on the field, but downplayed the importance of spring training.
“Our job isn’t to play in these games,” he said. “It’s to play at Fenway and help the Red Sox win games. We’re working. We’re not worried about results. I don’t care if I get a hit the rest of spring training. As long as I feel good and I’m preparing for what’s coming — that’s the goal.”
Thorny beginning
New bullpen addition Tyler Thornburg rarely has good springs, so he wasn’t concerned by a disastrous outing yesterday in which he allowed five runs (four earned) while recording two outs.
Thornburg has a career 6.37 ERA in spring training. He had a 10.24 ERA last spring before posting a 2.15 ERA with the Brewers during the regular season.
“I feel like I do pretty much the same thing every year,” he said. “I always tend to start slow in spring because the lower body wants to go full speed and the arm isn’t ready to do that yet. It always takes a good five or six outings to get locked in. The good news is every time I have a bad spring I always tend to have a good year.” . . .
Joe Kelly threw a “dominant” inning, Farrell said. Kelly struck out one without allowing a baserunner.
Kelly said his shoulder, which bothered him last year, “felt good so far. There has been no issue there. Now it’s just trying to build on what I did at the end of last year.”
Sale good to go
Chris Sale threw a live batting practice session and is scheduled to make his first start of the spring on March 6 at West Palm Beach against the Astros.
Willis has already been impressed.
“Guys with his type of stuff have a little bit more margin for error,” the pitching coach said. “But at the same time he’s executing location as an elite level right now.”