FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Could Darwinzon Hernandez somehow find a spot on the Red Sox Opening Day roster?
Alex Cora wouldn't rule that out, especially with the possibility of the club taking 13 pitchers if it's determined that Dustin Pedroia isn't ready to start the season.
"I think he's in the running, yeah,'' said Cora. "He's impressed people, obviously, with his stuff. We know what he needs to do to be a starter, but the way he's throwing the ball and going after guys, he's been good. He's been working on a few things delivery-wise and stuff-wise.
"We don't rule out anything right now. Everybody who is (still) here has a shot.''
After beginning the spring as a starting pitcher, Hernandez has since been used in relief and hasn't looked overwhelmed. He pitched the final two innings Saturday and in five appearances this spring, covering 10 innings, he's allowed seven hits with five walks and 12 strikeouts while allowing just one run.
"He'll have probably one more in two days,'' said Cora, "and we'll see how it goes. He's been able to slow down his delivery. The game isn't too fast for him. There's less emotion (now rather than earlier in the spring) when he falls behind. That's part of the process. That's why you come to camp and spend time with all those guys and there's a lot of conversations.''
Cora said Hernandez has been shadowing the veteran lefties in camp and learning plenty from them.
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