FORT MYERS, Fla. — When pitchers and catchers reported final week, Kenley Jansen mentioned he was excited to regulate to Major League Baseball’s new guidelines.
The veteran nearer spent the offseason utilizing a pitch clock, and opted out of the primary spherical of the World Baseball Classic, which gained’t have the clock, bigger bases, or shift restrictions which might be coming to MLB this season, to have extra time acclimating to the brand new guidelines at spring coaching. (He could be part of Team Netherlands in the event that they advance to the later rounds.)
On Sunday, Alex Cora praised Jansen’s bullpen session, saying the was “on time every time” whereas throwing in accordance with a 15-second clock.
Pretty spectacular for the self-proclaimed “slowest guy in the league.”
A bunch of youngsters
When Kiké Hernández leaves spring coaching to play for Team Puerto Rico within the World Baseball Classic subsequent month, he’ll depart the door open for different members of the group to impress at shortstop.
Even although Hernández goes to play centerfield within the WBC — and was initially purported to play principally centerfield for the Red Sox this season — Trevor Story’s UCL surgical procedure pushed him again to the infield.
In his absence, and with Adalberto Mondesí rehabbing, Alex Cora says “a bunch of kids” will see time at shortstop. The “bunch” is more likely to embody 40-man roster gamers corresponding to David Hamilton and Enmanuel Valdez. The Red Sox additionally re-signed Yu Chang final week.
Bobby Dalbec may even see time at quick, however Cora mentioned he’ll play principally third base when Rafael Devers is within the WBC with Team Dominican Republic.
Though he performs shortstop, Ceddanne Rafaela will do most of his work in centerfield, Cora says. Rafaela was a defensive standout within the outfield final summer time, and opted out of enjoying for Team Netherlands to concentrate on spring coaching. Playing effectively in Florida may imply beginning the season in Triple-A Worcester, only a hop, skip, and leap from the massive present in Boston.
Alfaro arrives
Jorge Alfaro arrived at JetBlue Park on Sunday to compete for a spot behind the big-league dish.
The 29-year-old catcher, whose flowing hair was made for Dennis Eckersley’s “moss” time period, was delayed by visa points, Cora mentioned.
Alfaro, Reese McGuire, and Connor Wong are three candidates for 2 catching spots on the big-league roster. It’s an uphill battle for Alfaro, who’s method beneath league-average at drawing walks (profession 4.2%, common 8.5%), and much worse than common at hanging out (profession 34.1%, avg 22.3%).
There’s actually no evaluating a veteran like Alfaro and somebody like Wong, who’s performed 33 profession video games within the majors over the past two seasons, however between 2021-22, McGuire and Alfaro performed virtually precisely the identical variety of video games. Oddly, each hit precisely 29 doubles and scored 47 occasions.
Over 167 video games, McGuire hit .262/.309/.358 with 4 house runs and 32 RBI. Alfaro hit .245/.284/.361 with 11 house runs and 70 RBI in 174 video games. McGuire struck out virtually 50% lower than Alfaro, 100 to 197.
Alfaro provides extra bat energy than McGuire, who’s hit 12 house runs over 230 video games in his 5 years within the huge leagues, and Wong, who has one profession house run to his identify up to now. Following his six-game debut in 2016, Alfaro averaged eight house runs per 12 months over the following six seasons.
Elvis has left the market
Elvis Andrus is signing with the Sox.
Just not the Boston ones.
The 34-year-old, who spent the primary 12 years of his profession with the Rangers, was one of many final remaining center infielders on the free-agent market. He break up the 2022 season with the Athletics, with whom he hit .237/.301/.373 throughout 106 video games, and 43 video games for the White Sox, hitting .271/.309/.464.
Evidently, the White Sox preferred him sufficient to deliver him again; he has a one-year, $3 million contract. Meanwhile, it appears as if the Red Sox will put collectively an infield with the gamers they have already got.
Wilson returns
Outfielder Marcus Wilson has a minor-league deal to return to the Red Sox. The 26-year-old, who was a part of the Blake Swihart commerce in 2019, debuted with the Mariners in 2022.
His deal doesn’t embody an invite to major-league spring coaching, and he’s been assigned to Double-A Portland.
Mike Lowell celebrates
Last, however definitely not least, 2007 World Series MVP Mike Lowell celebrated a major milestone on Sunday. He tweeted that he’s formally 24 years cancer-free. “To all those battling this disease stay positive,” he wrote, “To all those medical professionals that help in this cause, a big thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com