PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- On Tuesday, Alex Cora belatedly revealed the identity of the first three Red Sox starting pitchers for the 2018 season.
On Wednesday, he shed some light on who will fill out the following two spots.
Some observations:
- While we don't know how the Sox will line up for the fourth and fifth turns in the rotation, it's becoming obvious Drew Pomeranz won't be one of them -- at least not for the first time through. Cora labeled Pomeranz a "longshot" to pitch on the team's first road trip of the season, which involves four games at Tropicana Field against Tampa Bay and two more in Miami against the Marlins. Pomeranz was sidelined nearly three weeks ago with a strained flexor tendon and hasn't sufficiently built back his arm strength. He'll take part in his first minor league game Friday, but that assignment calls for just two innings, making it highly unlikely he can take a big enough step to be ready for 80-90 pitches needed to make a major league start. A reminder: almost this exact scenario played out last spring, with Pomeranz battling a forearm issue in the second half of spring training. He was backdated on the DL to start the year, but started the seventh game of the season. A similar timeline could unfold again this year.
- Eduardo Rodriguez will throw three innings in a minor league game Saturday, then throw another shortened session next Wednesday, keeping him lined up for a potential start on Sunday, April 1, the final game against the Rays. One thing is clear: Rodriguez won't be used in Miami, where, with interleague rules, he would have to run the bases on his surgically-repaired knee. (Cora kidded: "With his swing, we don't want him [pitching] in Miami, either.'') He'll either pitch in the Rays series or wait until the Red Sox return home. "If it happens, it's going to be in Tampa,'' said Cora. "But that's less than 50-50. Schedule-wise, if he pushes himself, that's great -- we're in position where he could use him.''
- Knuckleballer Steven Wright, who will pitch four innings in a minor league game Thursday, is "50-50'' for that Sunday, April 1, start. Wright, too, is coming off knee surgery. "With everybody, it's day-by-day,'' said Cora. "For (Wright), the day that he pitches isn't the one that matters; it's the day after. We'll see how he reacts.''
- Regardless of who pitches the fourth game of the season, it seems increasingly likely Brian Johnson will start Monday, April 2, in Miami. Johnson has pitched well this spring and is out of options, so the Sox want to find a spot for him on the roster somewhere. Also, as a college pitcher, Johnson was a fairly accomplished hitter, making him the logical choice for the start in an N.L. ballpark.
- If neither Rodriguez nor Wright can get cleared in time for the finale at Tropicana Field, that assignment will likely go to Hector Velazquez.