Red Sox Notebook: Eduardo Rodriguez turns to Pedro Martinez and Chris Sale to improve a pitch

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The Red Sox have long gushed about Eduardo Rodriguez's repertoire and the raw stuff he's capable of throwing.

This spring, Rodriguez has been working to improve his slider, which had been an average pitch for him in the past, but with the help of Pedro Martinez and  Chris Sale, is getting much better.

"Stuff-wise, he's unbelievable,'' said Alex Cora. "The slider was kind of in-between a slider and cutter, but now, it's a real slider.''

Said Rodriguez: "If it works, I'll throw it. I'm just waiting. This is the best time to start working on that pitch. It's spring training and it doesn't hurt your numbers on the back of the card. So, it's something to start working on. I'll throw it in games and if it works, I'll (use it) in the season.''

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Joe Torre, the chief baseball officer for Major League Baseball, visited camp and met briefly with Cora and Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski to explain some rule changes, including the proposed 20-second pitch clock that will be implemented.

"They're still talking about the pitch clock and how it goes,'' said Cora. "We'll see. They've done it in the minor leagues. There's nothing concrete right now. They're still working on it.''

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Cora relayed that pitching coach Dana LeVangie termed Rick Porcello's bullpen session as the best he'd seen from the righthander since he joined the Red Sox. "Location, delivery, action on the pitches...'' said Cora. "He was very satisfied with the way he threw the ball.''...Porcello again worked with former Red Sox starter Derek Lowe, who offers help on Porcello's sinker...Reliever Ryan Brasier has an infection in his right pinkie toe and returned to Boston Tuesday morning to be seen by a doctor. The Red Sox didn't sound concerned. "Just to make sure there's nothing serious about it,'' said Cora, "he'll go up there, somebody will check it out. Hopefully, he'll be back soon and get back to work.''...Travis Lakins will pitch Saturday against the Yankees. Mike Shawaryn will start against Northeastern University on Friday.