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They Gave Me a Break, Now Play Ball

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MLB All-Star Break is Over; It’s Time to Play Ball

BOSTON – The hometown Boston Red Sox (48-45) will play a 10-game, 10-day homestead to begin the second half of their MLB season and they do so with an (11-6) record over their last 17 games at Fenway Park. The 10-game stretch will be followed by another seven straight games (three at Houston and four at Kansas City), making Boston’s next day off August 8th.

It’s safe to say, that between July 22 and August 8, the Red Sox season will set sail, and they’ll do so – most likely – without Chris Sale, who left the game last Sunday at New York with a fractured left fifth (pinky) finger. The Sox ace was in the very first inning of his Major League Baseball return and he fell victim to an Aaron Hicks line drive that came back at the pitcher clocking 106.7 mph off his pitching hand. Sale was placed on the 15-day IL list today, retroactive to July 19th.

As the post MLB All-Star break begins, the Red Sox will throw right-hand pitchers Nathan Eovaldi and Kutter Crawford in the first two games against the Toronto Blue Jays, but then the Sunday matinee is marked with the same pitcher the Sox tossed in the last week before the break – a guy named TBD.

Sale and Eovaldi’s absence contributed to the problem as Boston was forced to start pitcher-after-pitcher straight from Triple A Worcester. From May 28 to June 8, Eovaldi enjoyed a three-game win streak, while in two of his other recent games, the Red Sox registered a “win.” Eovaldi’s Friday night start will be his second after missing 33 games. (June 8-July 15).

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The All-Star break was just what the Red Sox needed to assemble something that might pass for a major league starting rotation. With Sale a goner, James Paxton no where to be seen, Michael Wacha out with right shoulder inflammation and Rich Hill out with a left knee sprain, that is likely to be:

  • Nathan Eovaldi
  • Kutter Crawford
  • Nick Pivetta
  • Garrett Whitlock
  • Possibly Austin Davis or Josh Winckowski (out with COVID+ as of July 14).

The Sox experimented by promoting RHP Brayan Bello (recalled from Worcester today) and RHP Connor Seabold (10-day IL) with a right forearm extensor strain). Too say the least, it wasn’t pretty.

Boston begins its second half 15.5 games behind American League East leader New York (64-30), the best team in baseball. But after losing six of their last seven games before the break, Boston fell to 4th place in the AL East, trailing the Yankees, Tampa Bay and their opponents this weekend, Toronto (50-43).

During the recent span, the Seattle Mariners are on a 14-game winning streak and have moved into Wild Card slot No. 2, at (51-42). That places Boston two games behind in the American League Wild Card race, bunched up with those pesky Cleveland Guardians, the surging Baltimore Orioles and the Chicago White Sox.

As of this beautiful, but warm, Friday night at Fenway, it’s time to Play Ball.

Can anyone pitch?

TL’s Sunday Sports Notes | July 17

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TL’s While We’re Young (Ideas) With Mid-Summer Thoughts; Classic, Open and Otherwise

By TERRY LYONS

BOSTON – The annual “Mid-Summer Classic” marks the halfway point of the Major League Baseball season as much as it does the middle of summer in North America. After the MLB All-Star Break, baseball gets pretty serious, as does the stretch run for the PGA Tour, as The Open Championship and the (why do they even bother) Barracuda Championship mark a short four weeks remaining in the FedEx Cup regular season.

First, a quick look at Baseball:

Raise your hand if you predicted two of the three hottest teams in Baseball at the break would be the Seattle Mariners (10-0 over last ten and 13 in a row overall) and the Baltimore Orioles (9-1 over last ten). Those two teams, along with the mighty Los Angeles Dodgers (9-1 over last ten, as of Saturday morning) are the talk of baseball.

Seattle has won 13 in a row and is +1 game up in wild card standings and in position, along with Tampa Bay for postseason play. Baltimore is only 2.5 games out from a Wild Card place, trailing Tampa Bay, Seattle, Boston and Toronto, as well as a half-game behind Cleveland on the outside, looking in.

Seattle’s baker’s dozen in the W column includes victories at Texas, four in a row over Toronto, two at San Diego, and two out of three against the Orioles to start the Mariners’ streak.

Center fielder Julio Rodriguez has been leading the way with three of his 16 home runs, including a Grand Slam on Friday night, pacing the ball club along with a rejuvenated Eugenio Suarez , each with 50 RBI. First baseman Ty France is back from injury while left fielder Jesse Winker is swinging the bat again. Both Winker and Suarez were sent to Seattle from Cincinnati in a March 14, 2022 multi-player trade.

As far as Baltimore is concerned, the O’s 10-game winning streak came to an end on Friday night in a 5-4 loss at Tampa. Previously, they’d beaten the Cubs twice in Chicago, four against the LA Angels and three games against Texas. Since Fathers day, the Orioles are 16-7.

Outfielder Anthony Santander and first baseman Ryan Mountcastle are leading the way, while center fielder Cedric Mullins leads the club in hits. Tyler Wells and Jordan Lyles have been pleasant surprises on the pitching staff which lost ace John Means to Tommy John surgery early this season.

Although Seattle and Baltimore are simply darlings of baseball, there is no denying that the teams to beat are the LA Dodgers and New York Mets in the National League and the New York Yankees and Houston Astros in the American League. Division-leaders Milwaukee (NL-Central) and Minnesota (AL-Central) can not be ignored.

And on the links:

With The Open Championship heading into its final round, a quick look at the game of golf must address the impact of the new LIV Golf Invitational Series entity which grabbed dozens of popular PGA Tour players from mothership of all worldwide professional golf circuits. Some gold industry bigshots, including Royal & Ancient (R&A) CEO Martin Slumbers, are saying the LIV has “harmed the perception” of golf.

The United States Dept. of Justice is looking into the PGA Tour’s handling of member players and whether the Tour engaged in anti-competitive behavior during its ongoing battle with the LIV, the circuit being financed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. The PGA Tour suspended players who jumped to the LIV.

Lastly, even basketball Hall of Famer and Turner Sports’ Inside the NBA studio commentator Charles Barkley is getting in on the act. After he participated in last week’s Celebrity Golf tournament, Barkley has been quotes as saying, “It’s nothing that’s imminent. I actually don’t know everything they want from me, or what they technically want me to do, but you’ve got to always look at every opportunity that’s available,” Barkley said. “So the answer to your question is, 100 percent yes, I’m going to meet with LIV.”

The PGA Tour has been countering with the announcement of bigger purses, a better schedule and more lenient qualification of young players turning professional. On this weekend, when The Open grabs most attention, shouldn’t the Tour stage a “once a year” Korn Ferry Tour midseason tournament where the winners from the previous full year play for a five-year PGA Tour card, winner take all?

One thing is for sure, the PGA Tour leadership must rethink their sport, their schedule, their approach and innovate, far more than just its great TV coverage, the PGA Tour Live cash cow on ESPN+ and ShotLink.

In hindsight, the Battle of the Bogey-boys seems reminiscent of the 1967-76 pro basketball landscape which pitted the mighty NBA against the up & coming ABA, complete with a red, white and blue basketball and a three-point field goal for long, terrible 26+ foot shots that have become the rage and analytic flavor of the day for the NBA in 2022.

Maybe the LIV should make its players hit red, while and blue golf balls and chip-ins from 100 yards or more would subtract a stroke or reward a monetary bonus of say, $1 million of that Green as Grass Saudi cash?

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TIGER: By shooting a cringe-worthy 78-75 (153), Tiger Woods missed the cut at The Open Championship and bid farewell to the Old Course at St. Andrews which next hosts the British Open in 2026, at the earliest. Woods’ performance again reminded sports fans of other players who could no longer compete at the ultra-high level they set during the prime years of their careers. … A while back, when Tom Brady switched teams and NFL jerseys from New England to Tampa Bay, we listed a few of the players who looked so strange in another team’s uniform. That list also coincides with this list, of players who stayed on a bit too long:

  1. Tiger Woods at The Open
  2. NY Jets all-time great Joe Namath with the Los Angeles Rams
  3. Giants all-time great Willie Mays with the New York Mets
  4. Bruins all-time great Bobby Orr with the Chicago Blackhawks
  5. Orlando/LA/Miami’s Shaquille O’Neal with Phoenix, Cleveland and Boston
  6. NYK’s Walt “Clyde” Frazier with the Cleveland Cavaliers
  7. Colts all-time great Johnny Unitas with the San Diego Chargers
  8. NYK’s Patrick Ewing with the Seattle SuperSonics
  9. Green Bay’s Brett Favre with the New York Jets
  10. Cowboys great Emmitt Smith with the Arizona Cardinals

Sometimes, You Just Need a Win

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BOSTON – On Saturday night, the Boston Red Sox needed a win more than Boston Harbour needed a Wynn. The Red Sox and manager Alex Cora needed a win more than Patrick Ewing and the 2021 Georgetown Hoyas needed a win. Sox starter Kutter Crawford needed a win more than the imprisoned WNBA star Brittany Griner needs a win. The Sox were jammin’ on the 4th of July, 10 games over .500. But on Saturday night, after starting AAA level pitchers for four consecutive games, the Boston Red Sox earned their much-needed win with a come-from-behind and eventually walk-off 6-5 win over the AL East division-leading New York Yankees.

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The glory went to Boston left-fielder Alex Verdugo who hit a game-tying single in the 8th inning and the game-winning, two-run single in the bottom of the 10th. The win was a step in salvaging a four-game series against the Yankees, now with a chance to split the series when the teams play Sunday night. As importantly, the big 6-5 win quelled an anger emanating from loyal Red Sox fans, frustrated with Triple A rookies staring in place of injured rotation pitchers, like Nathan Eovaldi (might be back this week), Michael Wacha, Rich Hill, Garrett Whitlock, along with relievers Matt Barnes, Tyler Danish, and Josh Taylor.

Four straight starts rather than the Red Sox feasting on opponents with ace Chris Sale on the mound. Four straight rookie starts, a mark Boston hasn’t set since the last four games of the 1945 season instead of having off-season signee Jim Paxton on the mound. Sale’s been rehabbing at Triple-A Worcester and Double-A Portland (New Hampshire), hoping to get back to the mothership before the All-Star break.

Paxton, signed for a cool $10 million a year but Tommy John surgery in April 2021 set him back until his recent trio of bullpen sessions showed glimmers of light for the lefty.Should he return to form, the Sox rotation might improve over Sunday starter Nick Pivetta, a bunch of rookies trying their best to make enough of an impact to stick in the majors when the dust settles and there’s no more need for a late-game a mound appearance by Jackie Bradley Jr. like that of  thismpsdt                                                                                                                                     on Friday night.

On 4th of July, Sox Check the Standings

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Red Sox Open Series vs Tampa with 4-0 Win


By TERRY LYONS

BOSTON – It’s far too early to do any scoreboard watching, but on the 4th of July, every baseball fan in the land should buy a newspaper and clip-out the standings. It is like breaking a fortune cookie and reading about your future. For the Boston Red Sox – tailspinning at (2-4) over their last six games entering today’s games- but coming off an important seven-game win streak before that – the 2022 MLB season will be decided now, as in July.

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Now, as in the next 16 games when the Red Sox play against the American League East only as they close-out the first half of the 2022 season with 17 consecutive game days before the annual All-Star break. Looking further, past the break, the Red Sox will play 27 of their next 28 home games against teams with winning records (as of today). Only an August 11th game against the division cellar-dwelling Baltimore Orioles will be the exception.

Now, as on a wonderful, humidity-free, 82-degree, sunny 4th of July day game, a game which began that gauntlet of “put-up or shut-up” for the Sox who earned a home game on the 4th  at Fenway Park for the first time since 2016.

Now, as in today, the Red Sox defeated division rival Tampa, 4-0, with impressive pitching performances by opener Austin Davis (second career start) who was followed by Worcester WooSox call-up Kutter Crawford. Davis threw 30 pitches over the first two innings, walked one batter and struck-out two before giving way to Crawford. With a name like “Kutter,” you better be able to deliver and that he did. The Sox top pitching prospect, No. 24 in all of baseball, went 5.1 IP, allowing only two hits of shutout baseball while striking-out eight Rays batters. Reliever John Schreiber came in for the final 1.2 innings and kept the sheet clean, earning his third save of the season.

On the offensive side, Boston second-baseman Trevor Story had the game-winning hit, his 13th home run of the season, a solo blast, which came in the fourth inning. Boston scored a run in the fifth when shortstop Christian Arroyo led-off with a double and scored on a Rafael Devers infield hit and 46th RBI of the season.

Boston added two insurance runs in the eighth inning when third baseman Devers, DH J.D. Martinez and catcher Christian Vazquez each singled to load the bases before left-fielder Alex Verdugo reached base on a fielding error by Tampa’s relief pitcher Josh Fleming, scoring Devers. Boston right-fielder Franchy Cordero delivered a timely base hit to score Martinez to make it 4-0 to hand Fleming (2-4) his fourth loss of the year.

Crawford earned the win, his second of the year against two losses. The Rays were held scoreless for the sixth time this season after being shutout only eight times all of 2021.

The opening of the series win marked the 12th time of their last 16 series that Boston took a series lead as they are 11-4-1 when they take a series opener. Boston is 17-7 (.708) over their last 24 games and undefeated in their last five home games. The pressure remains, however, as Boston is 0-7-0 in series against the AL East while 12-3-3 against all others.

The Red Sox are now 13 games behind the division-leading New York Yankees, who somehow had the 4th of July as an off-day. Boston is bunched up with these Rays and the Toronto Blue Jays with only two games separating the trio when you peruse those standings.

After a horrendous 10-19 start through early May, Boston is now 10 games over .500 for the second time this season. They’re amongst the best four teams in baseball (NYY, HOU and ATL) since May 10th, and they’re staying 10-games over .500 with starting pitchers Chris Sale, Nathan Eovaldi, Rich Hill, and James Paxton on the injured list, along with relievers Garrett Whitlock, Matt Barnes and Josh Taylor.

Sale has been ramping-up with a four-inning, 52-pitch, four-hit, one-run outing for AA Portland last Thursday. He’ll do another rehab assignment this Wednesday, upping the competition to AAA Worcester.

Notes: Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts sat out today as he recovers from a six-stitch thigh laceration suffered during the series vs. the Chicago Cubs. … Boston’s Nick Pivetta (8-5, ERA 3.23) is scheduled to pitch against Tampa’s lefty Jeffrey Springs (3-2, ERA 2.25) July 5 at 7:10pm at Fenway. … A starter for Boston on Wednesday has yet to be determined while the Rays will throw righty Corey Kluber (3-5, ERA 3.91). … Boston will go on to host the NY Yankees from July 7-10.

Red Sox July 4th Roster Moves

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BOSTON – (Staff Report from Official News Release) – Boston recalled right-handed pitcher Kutter Crawford from Triple-A Worcester. To make room for Crawford on the active Major League roster, Connor Seabold was optioned to Worcester following yesterday’s game against the Chicago Cubs. Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom made the announcement.

Crawford entered the game (July 4) after Red Sox lefty Austin Davis held the Tampa Bay Rays scoreless in his two inning “opener” effort.

Crawford, 26, is ranked by MLB.com as the Red Sox’ No. 24 prospect. In 10 appearances (two starts) for Boston this season, the right-hander is 1-2 with a 6.41 ERA (14 ER/19.2 IP). He has also pitched in six games (four starts) with Worcester, going 1-0 with a 5.18 ERA (14 ER/24.1 IP).

Seabold, 26, started yesterday’s game against the Cubs, allowing one run on six hits in 4.0 innings. Ranked by MLB.com as Boston’s No. 14 prospect, the right-hander is 5-1 with a 2.09 ERA (12 ER/51.2 IP) in 11 starts for Worcester this season.

Boston activated Seabold to pitch in Chicago on July 3 and in doing so, optioned right-handed pitcher Phillips Valdez to Worcester.

Bradley Gets a Dad Break

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BOSTON – (Staff Report from Official Team News Release) – The Boston Red Sox placed outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. on MLB’s paternity leave list and recalled outfielder Jarren Duran from Triple-A Worcester to fill his roster spot. Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom made the decision.

Bradley Jr., 32, recorded a season-high four RBI on Wednesday against the Cincinnati Reds, including a three-run triple in the eighth inning. The left-handed hitter is batting .227 (34-for-150) with 20 RBI in 48 games this season. Bradley has made 37 starts in right field and three in center field in 2022, leading major league right fielders in ultimate zone rating (4.2).

Duran, 25, has played in one game for Boston this season, going 1-for-4 with a triple and run scored on May 6 against the Chicago White Sox. The left-handed hitter is batting .314 (48-for-153) with a .916 OPS in 37 games for Worcester this season, recording 20 extra-base hits and stealing 11 bases.

Eovaldi Tosses Complete Game Gem

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Red Sox Defeat Baltimore, 5-3, in First of Saturday Twin Bill

BOSTON – I’ll take Baseball Wins & Losses for $500, Mayim.

This is the most important thing for a major league baseball club, like the 21-24 Boston Red Sox, when they’re playing a day-night double-header a few hours after blowing a 6-0 lead and losing to the last place Baltimore Orioles, 12-8?

What is, have your starting pitcher throw a complete game?

Is right.

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Boston’s Nathan Eovaldi settled down to earn a 5-3 complete-game victory after he shook-off a 5th inning two-run home run by Baltimore catcher Robinson Chirinos which tied the early-bird first of a two games admission twin bill, 3-3. It was Eovaldi’s first complete game win of his career and one of only two CG the Red Sox pitching staff has enjoyed this season, the other by Nick Pivetta on May 18 (a 5-1 Boston win over Houston).

Eovaldi allowed seven hits, walked one and struck-out six while throwing 108 pitches (75 strikes) during his effort. Baltimore scored three runs, two earned and positioned the Sox bullpen for the evening game. Friday, Sox starter Garret Whitlock was spotted a 6-0 lead which was cut to 6-2 in the fourth inning, but was undermined by his relievers to the tune of 10 other runs scored from the 7th through 9th innings.

Today’s matinee was a different story, as Boston manager Alex Cora made a smart strategic play, having right-handed batter and first baseman Bobby Dalbec pinch hit for lefthand hitting starting first baseman Franchy Cordero to lead-off the 6th inning. Dalbec deposited a 397-foot, game-winning homer to right, giving Eovaldi the support he needed for the win.

Boston secured an insurance run in the 7th inning when designated hitter J.D. Martinez walked, shortstop Xander Bogaerts doubled and second baseman Christian Arroyo reached safely on an infield hit to score Martinez. Arroyo went 2-for-4 with a run scored, a double and RBI. Meanwhile, Sox third baseman, Rafael Devers went 4-for-5 to set his season high of hits in a single game to extend his MLB-leading collection of hits to (69).

Devers hammered a first inning single with a (106.1 mph) exit velocity, doubled in the 2nd inning with the ball leaving his bat at 97.1 mph and added two other hits, with his 5th inning single clocking NASA control towers at 107.5 mph. Devers leads the majors in hard-hit balls  with 84 clocking over 95 mph exit numbers.

The AL East cellar-dwelling Orioles fell to (19-28) and are (2-3) over this eight-game road trip. Baltimore is 7-17 on the road, going into the Saturday night tilt against the Sox (weather permitting). Baltimore pitchers have allowed 10+ hits in nine of their last 13 games, dating back to May 15th.

Keegan Akin (1-1) took the loss after pitching 2.1 innings and allowing two runs on two hits.

 

 

Sox, Pivetta Strike Back Against Astros

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By TERRY LYONS

BOSTON – After a 13-4 lambasting at the hands of the Houston Astros on Tuesday night, a game that saw the ‘Stros tie a major league record with five home runs in a single inning (2nd vs Nathan Eovaldi), the Boston Red Sox needed to strike back on Wednesday. The pitching rotation called for Boston right-hander Nick Pivetta (1-4, 5.08 ERA) to take the mound vs Houston’s Luis Garcia (3-1, 2.94 ERA).

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When Pivetta faced Astros lead-off man Jose Altuve in the first, it looked as though Houston was picking up where they left off on Tuesday when Altuve took a 3-2 pitch over the Green Monster in left field. That would not be the case over nine innings, as Pivetta earned a 5-1 victory by allowing only one other hit, a double by LF Michael Brantley, to pitch a complete game, two-hitter.

It was the first complete game for a Red Sox pitcher since Chris Sale went nine innings against the Royals in Kansas City on June 5, 2019 (8-0 win) and the first complete game at Fenway Park since Rick Porcello tossed nine against the New York Yankees on August 3, 2018 (4-1 win).

To earn his complete game and two-hitter, Pivetta threw 112 pitches with 78 for strikes. A whopping 23 of those pitches came in the first inning when Pivetta settled down to retire three-straight after the Altuve lead-off HR. Pivetta allowed only the one earned run while striking out eight and walking none.

The Red Sox offense gave Pivetta support immediately, registering two runs in the bottom of the first on a Rafael Devers triple and J.D. Martinez sacrifice fly, then a Xander Bogaerts home run, his fourth of the season. Boston picked-up another un in the third inning when Devers doubled in Kiki Hernandez who led off the inning by reaching first on a Jeremy Pena error at short.

The Sox scattered singles against Garcia to tally two more runs in the fourth, which closed out the scoring.

Boston’s DH, Martinez, had an 18-game hitting streak and 34-game on base streak snapped, and his luck ran out when a seventh inning ground ball to short had to be reviewed by the umpires, to no avail for the .325 hitter who went 0-for-3 with an RBI via the SAC fly, his 20th run batted in this season. He trails only Devers (21) in the team lead for RBI.

After crunching Eovaldi for 13 runs, the Astros bats went dull on their get-away game that started at 6:12pm and was over by 8:50pm (ET). Altuve struck-out twice after hitting the lead-off homer, his eighth of the season, while both 1B Yuli Gurriel and Pena each went down twice to strikes.

NOTES: Boston will host the Seattle Mariners who lost 11 of their last 15, not including this evenings game at Toronto. The Mariners will be at Fenway Park for a Thursday through Sunday, four-game set. Mariners rookie hot pitching prospect George Kirby (0-0, 0.90 ERA) will face veteran Rich Hill (1-1, 2.89 ERA) on Thursday evening. … Tonight’s complete game by Nick Pivetta was only the second of his career, the other coming June 8, 2019 vs the Cincinnati Reds. … Boston SS Xander Bogaerts has six RBI over his last six games. … Houston’s Michael Brantley has reached base safely in 13-straight games and is hitting .306 over that span. … Jose Altuve scored his 900th career run with his HR and is only the fourth player in Houston Astros history to record 900 runs (Craig Biggio-1,844), (Jeff Bagwell-1,517) and (Lance Berkman-1,008)

Sox Call-Up Duran as COVID+ Strikes

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BOSTON – (Staff Report from Official News Release) – Following a two-game skid while hosting the Los Angeles Angels, the Red Sox were forced to make the following roster moves on Friday before their series opener against the Chicago White Sox.

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  • Placed left-handed pitcher Rich Hill and infielder/outfielder Kiké Hernández on the COVID-19 Related Injured List.
  • Recalled outfielder Jarren Duran from Triple-A Worcester.
  • Selected right-handed pitcher John Schreiber to the active major league roster from Worcester.

Sox Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom made the roster moves.

Hill, 42, allowed one hit over 5.0 scoreless innings yesterday against the Angels, his third consecutive scoreless start. The left-hander became just the fourth player to make as many as three consecutive scoreless starts at the age of 42 or older, joining Phil Niekro (1984), Roger Clemens (2005), and Bartolo Colon (2015).

Hernández, 30, has started 24 of the Red Sox’ 26 games this season in center field. The right-handed hitter ranks tied for second on the team with eight doubles, with nine of his 18 hits going for extra bases. Hernández has eight RBI in his last 12 games.

Duran, 25, is batting .397 (23-for-58) with a 1.116 OPS, 15 runs, eight extra-base hits, 11 RBI, and seven stolen bases in 15 games for Worcester this season. The left-handed hitter made his major league debut with Boston last season, making 25 starts in center field and one in left field. Duran is ranked by Baseball America as the Red Sox’ No.  4 prospect and the No. 84 prospect in baseball.

Duran started in center field on Friday night

Schreiber, 28, made two scoreless relief appearances for Boston during the club’s recent series in Toronto, combining to allow one hit with one strikeout in 2.1 innings. The right-hander has posted a 1.46 ERA (2 ER/12.1 IP) in seven relief appearances for Worcester this season, striking out 15 while issuing three walks.

Red Sox Roster Moves

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BOSTON – (Staff Report from Official News Releases) – The Boston Red Sox placed left-handed pitcher Rich Hill on the Bereavement/Family Medical Emergency List. To fill Hill’s spot on the active roster, the club recalled catcher Ronaldo Hernández from Triple-A Worcester. Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom made the roster move..

Hill, 42, started yesterday’s game against the Minnesota Twins, allowing four runs in 4.2 innings. The left-hander has made two starts for the Red Sox this season, posting a 7.00 ERA (7 ER/9.0 IP).

Hernández, 24, has played in seven games for Worcester this season, making six starts at catcher. In 106 games between Worcester and Double-A Portland since the start of 2021, the right-handed hitter is batting .274 (107-for-391) with 48 extra-base hits and 62 RBI. His first appearance will be his major league debut.

Meanwhile, the Red Sox made additional roster moves in reaction to yesterdays sidelining of Kevin Plawecki and subsequent medical update on Plawecki’s battery-mate in catcher Christian Vázquez and infielder Jonathan Araúz on the COVID-19 Related Injured List.

Additional moves included:

· Recalled right-hander pitcher Tyler Danish from Triple-A Worcester.

· Selected outfielder Rob Refsnyder to the active major league roster from Worcester.

Vázquez, 31, has started seven of the Red Sox’ first 10 games at catcher, throwing out two of five attempted base stealers (40.0%). The right-handed hitter went 2-for-4 with two RBI in yesterday’s game against the Twins, hitting his first home run of the season in the seventh inning.

Araúz, 23, has appeared in five games this season, making three starts at second base. The switch-hitter most recently appeared as a defensive replacement in the ninth inning on Saturday.

Danish, 27, has not allowed a run in his three relief appearances for Worcester this season, striking out six batters in 3.0 innings. The right-hander posted a 1.29 ERA (1 ER/7.0 IP) in six Grapefruit League appearances for the Red Sox in Spring Training.

Refsnyder, 31, is batting .400 (14-for-35) with 12 runs scored, four doubles, one home run, eight RBI, and nine walks in 11 games for Worcester this season. The right-handed hitter has made eight starts in center field, two in right field, and one at designated hitter.