RED SOX : News & Notes March 8,2014.

RED SOX : NEWS & NOTES
March 8,2014.

 


~Farrell defends linup : Farrell offered no apologies for fielding a lineup of little-known players against the Marlins on Thursday. A report said Miami officials were “outraged,” but a team spokesman said Friday that no complaint was filed to Major League Baseball. Major league rules require teams to have a lineup with at least four players who are regulars or have a reasonable chance to being regulars. The Red Sox used one player who fit that definition — Jackie Bradley Jr. — in Thursday’s 0-0 game in Jupiter.Farrell said he was aware of the Marlins being upset but was comfortable with the lineup he used.“You can’t speak to what goes on inside another team’s camp. There are reasons why that they bring a team that they do,” Farrell said. Farrell said the starting infielders stayed behind to work with coach Brian Butterfield on positioning in shifts. The Red Sox also were missing several regulars with injuries.“We had work and injuries we were contending with,” Farrell said. “I thought we played a pretty darned good game.”

~T.V.Update : The Red Sox will be on NESN for the next 3 days thru Monday. All games begin at 1 p.m.

~One-year contracts for 19 :The Red Sox agreed to terms with 19 players on the 40-man roster with 0-3 year of service times. Such players have no negotiating leverage and generally accept contracts based on a team’s formula.The Red Sox, like most teams, adjust salaries over the minimum of $500,000 based on service time in the majors and performance. As such, Felix Doubront ($586,000), Daniel Nava ($556,500) and Will Middlebrooks ($540,000) were the highest paid of the group according to WEEI.com. Brandon Workman ($518,000), Xander Bogaerts ($517,000), Ryan Lavarnway ($510,000) and Rubby De La Rosa ($504,000) were on the next tier followed by Alex Wilson ($503,500), Drake Britton ($503,000), Brock Holt ($503,000), Jackie Bradley Jr. ($502,000), Allen Webster ($502,000) and Steven Wright ($502,000). Bryce Brentz, Dan Butler, Garin Cecchini, Alex Hassan, Anthony Ranaudo and Christian Vazquez received $500,000.

~Gomes gets painting from Vernon Wells Sr. : Jonny Gomes got an elaborate tattoo to commemorate the World Series. But he didn't stop there.Gomes commissioned a painting from sports artist Vernon Wells Sr. It was delivered this morning and is very impressive. It's a reproduction of various scenes from throughout the season involving Jonny.Wells, whose son Vernon was a long-time MLB outfielder, does terrific work.

GOMES PAINTING

~Sizemore Update : One Red Sox official called signing Grady Sizemore "a lottery ticket" for the organization because of the long odds it would pay off.So far, a few of the numbers have popped up.
Sizemore was 2 for 3 in today's game against the Braves. But most notably, he took second base on a wild pitch in the third inning, sliding in to beat the throw from catcher Gerald Laird.Sizemore hustled to beat out an infield hit in the first inning then had a line-drive single in the third. The outfielder is one of the surprises of camp after missing two consecutive seasons with injuries.“He did a number of things today we haven’t seen yet,” manager John Farrell said.Sizemore isn’t seeking out particular situations. But he’s passing physical tests as they occur in games.“I’m not thinking about anything out there. It’s not one of those things where I’m hesitant or worried about anything,” he said. “If I were thinking along those lines, I wouldn’t be ready to play.”Sizemore will get two days off before playing again Monday. He is not expected to play back-to-back games until later next week.“The only question that we have right now is answering the durability one,” Farrell said.That is an important question, obviously. As the Red Sox assemble their roster, they will need to determine whether Sizemore can be a regular player or more effective as an extra outfielder. Other decisions will hinge off that.

~Injury Update : Two of Boston's key injured players are getting closer to a return to the field. Manager John Farrell said Friday morning that Shane Victorino andJake Peavy should both be able to play by next week, contingent upon them continuing to make progress in their recoveries.Victorino, who struggled with leg and back ailments last season, is working through the final rounds of strength and agility drills. Peavy, recovering from a knife wound to his left index finger, could pitch in a game as early as Wednesday, and Farrell said he'll go through a bullpen session Saturday."Tomorrow, he'll have an extended bullpen where he'll simulate some up-and-down," said Farrell. "After that, he projects to be back in a game [four] days from tomorrow. The wound is healing satisfactorily. Given all things considered, he's making good progress with it."Peavy, if all goes well, will still be able to make four or five starts in Spring Training. Farrell said Boston will watch him closely, but barring any setbacks, he could be ready to start the season."At this point, yeah. And yet, we'll monitor it as we get through his times on the mound," Farrell said. "We're looking at the 12th being the first start. That gives him probably four additional starts here. We're not going to skip steps, but we feel like there's ample time to ramp him up."Victorino, who declined comment except to say that he "feels good," still has plenty of time to return to the field. The Red Sox want to make sure that everything is in working order before they test him in game action, but the veteran doesn't seem like he's far away from the field."Hopefully, early next week," said Farrell on when he expects to have Victorino back in action. "He's making solid progress. He came out of yesterday's work feeling good. He's got more range of motion in all of his activities on the field and is responding very favorably at this point."Victorino batted .294 with 15 home runs and 82 runs scored in 122 games last season, and the Red Sox have held him off the field in order to preserve him for the long haul. Farrell said that Victorino has a few days left of work, and that even when he returns, he'll do so in gradual bits and pieces."Just everyday work that he'll go through with the team," he said. "And once we do get him back on the field, then it's a matter of just a gradual buildup from length inside a given game -- number of at-bats, number of innings played. More importantly, he's getting closer to getting back on the field. We had anticipated that, but there was some work that needed to be done before getting in the lineup."