Red Sox Notes: Johnson, Swihart making most of early spring opportunities; Chavis sidelined

FORT MYERS, Fla. – For both Blake Swihart and Brian Johnson, this spring training is more important than most. Both players are out of options and both are seeking to secure spots on the Opening Day roster anyway they can.

Johnson, getting his first start of the spring Sunday, tossed two strong innings in a 7-1 Red Sox victory over the Baltimore Orioles. The lefty retired all six hitters he faced, two by strikeout.

His start came on a day in which manager Alex Cora acknowledged that the Red Sox aren’t expecting either Eduardo Rodriguez or Steven Wright to be ready for the start of the season. That opens a spot, however temporarily, in the back of the Red Sox’ rotation. Johnson could also compete for a bullpen spot, though he hasn’t pitched in relief since his college career at Florida.

“I know it’s a different situation (with regard to options) for me, but I’m not treating it any differently,’’ he said. “If it’s as a starter or reliever, I don’t really care, to be honest. I just want to be on this team and help them win. Whatever it takes. It’s up in the air. If it’s the fifth starting spot, great; and if it’s out of the bullpen, great…I just think it’s my time to be up at the big league level and do what I can.’’

A scout who watched Johnson Sunday said: “Thought he was solid. He moved his fastball side-to-side and was able to throw both breaking balls for strikes.’’

As for Swihart, he continued to mash. With a triple and a double in his first two games, he continued his hot streak at the plate with a first-inning wall double, scoring a run, then added a two-run homer in the fifth.

“It’s fun to play baseball when you’re healthy,’’ he said, having missed extensive time over the last two seasons with a variety of injuries. “Just being able to do what I know I’m able to do when I’m healthy is fun.’’

Swihart had a major ankle injury in 2016, and throughout most of last year, had difficulty driving the ball, or at times, squatting as a catcher. But last September, he finally recovered and that’s carried over this spring.

“I feel really free, able to move and I’m back to being an athlete back there (behind the plate),’’ he said.

Aside from having no physical limitations, Swihart is playing with confidence, knowing he can trust his body again and play without restrictions.

“I’m not thinking about anything except playing baseball now and that helps,’’ he said.

One thing is clear in the first week of exhibition play: the Red Sox are determined to get Swihart lots of playing time. That serves a dual purpose: it allows them to evaluate what he can do – as a hitter, as a catcher and moving around to other positions – while also providing the chance to showcase him to other interested teams.

He’s been in the starting lineup two of the first three Grapefruit League games – once as a catcher, once as a DH – and also caught one of the college games last Thursday.

“I just want to play,’’ said Swihart.

Where, and for whom, he’s unsure.

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Michael Chavis suffered a setback earlier in the week, straining his left oblique while taking batting practice in the cages Wednesday morning.

He hasn’t been given a timetable for recovery, and never having experienced a similar injury before, is unsure of how long he might be sidelined. But he fully understands the need to be patient and not rush back prematurely.

“One of the big things I’m focusing on is, I don’t want it to come back during the season,’’ he said. “It’s better to take care of it now rather than (re-occur) during the season.  It’s better to take care of it now then have it come back mid-season and be a big issue then. So I’m going to do everything I can to make sure it doesn’t come back.’’

Still, there’s undeniable disappointment that his first time in big league camp has been compromised.

“I promise no one’s more upset than I am,’’ he said. “It’s just unlucky, honestly. I’m looking forward to getting back. Personally, I’m not entirely concerned about it, because I know I feel good that it’s getting better every day.’’