right-handed Cutter Crawford will begin the season in the Red Sox’s rotation, confirmed manager Alex Cora (link via Boston Globe’s Alex Speier). He is expected to take the ball for the fourth game of the season, the start of a series against the Pirates.
It will probably not be a permanent use. Crawford intervenes Garret Whitlock And Brayan Bello both open the year on the 15-day injured list. Whitlock, in particular, is expected back midway through the first month of the season. Assuming everyone Corey Kluber, Chris Sale, Tanner Houck And Nick Pivetta Staying healthy until that point, Crawford could find himself in long relief or return to Triple-A Worcester. Possible returns from Bello and James Paxton would later push him further down on the depth map.
Crawford, who turns 27 next month, started in 12 of 21 games for the Sox last season. He averaged a 5.47 ERA in 77 1/3 innings, although his 23.1% strikeout percentage and 8.7% walk rate were both solid. He predictably missed more shots for relief than when he started, but threw more shots when working from rotation.
More news from Boston:
- helper Wyatt Mills was switched off from throwing after an elbow infection, writes Speier. Fortunately, the problem is believed to be muscular rather than structural. Mills is still likely to open the season with the 15-day IL, but despite the ominous-sounding diagnosis, there don’t seem to be any concerns about a long-term absence. Boston acquired the rights from the Royals in the winter and sent minor league relievers Jacob Wallace back to Kansas City. Mills split the 2022 campaign between Seattle and KC, throwing 29 1/3 frames of a 4.60 ERA ball. He has an option year left in the minor league and was no suspension to crack the season-opening bullpen.
- catcher Connor Wong was handicapped at the beginning of the camp by a strain on the left thigh muscles. While the issue initially looked like it could lead to a season-opening IL stint, Wong now looks on track to be ready for opening day. Cora told reporters yesterday the 26-year-old backstop was a “full step” at this point (submitted by Ian Browne of MLB.com). With a week left until the start of the regular season, he should be able to open the year on the roster. Wong and Reese McGuire are the two backstops on the 40 man. Catch prospects are one area the Sox will need to sort out in the coming days as Boston could lose the minor league signee George Alfaro to an upward mobility clause in his contract if they don’t agree to put him in the MLB club. Alfaro was on the go in spring practice, amassing 11 hits (including two homers) in 21 at-bats.
- Like Alfaro, Raimel Tapia is a veteran in camp on a minor league deal. The left-hitting outfielder is battling for a deep roll behind the presumed starting outfield of Masataka Yoshida, Adam Duval And Alex Verdugo. swinging right Rob Refsnyder is a virtual lock to secure a bankroll as well as a backup catcher. That would leave two spots, one of which will likely go to an infielder. Tapia brings pluses in touch skills and speed, although he’s not a prototypical fourth outfielder considering he’s spent most of his career in left field. The Athletic’s Chad Jennings writes that Boston is becoming more open to using Tapia in midfield, where he played a career-high 249 2/3 innings for Toronto last season. That would increase his chances of making the squad, especially since his skills would complement Duvall’s. Tapia is 13-40 with two walks, six strikeouts and two homers this spring.