McAdam: Projecting the Red Sox bullpen for Opening Day

The news Monday that second baseman Dustin Pedroia will start the year in extended spring training — and not on the Opening Day roster — means the Red Sox will begin the year with a 13-man pitching staff.

The Sox will have five starters -- Chris Sale, David Price, Rick Porcello, Eduardo Rodriguez and Nathan Eovaldi -- and room, temporarily, for eight relievers with Pedroia's spot paving the way for one more pitcher.

So, we don't know for sure which pitchers will be in the bullpen, but we do know now how many: eight.

A look at the locks and the leading contenders for the bullpen as the season opener draws closer:



LOCKS: (5) Matt Barnes, Ryan Brasier, Heath Hembree, Brian Johnson, Hector Velazquez.

Barnes and Brasier seem positioned to do some sort of job-share with the closer's role. Maybe they'll both get opportunities to save games, or maybe they'll alternate or perhaps they'll be part of a "by committee approach.'' But this much is clear: Barnes and Brasier will be counted on to get big outs in high-leverage spots.

Hembree, too, is assured of a significant role. In the past two seasons, he's hit a wall midseason, but Alex Cora pointedly noted that Hembree reported to camp in better physical shape this year, a sign that he could prove more durable this year. He'll be entrusted with important set-up work in the seventh and eighth.

Johnson and Velazquez are two hybrids who provided invaluable versatility a year ago. Cora has repeatedly labeled them as the team's unheralded MVPs and maintained the Sox wouldn't have won it all with their help. They can provide multiple innings in relief, or step into the rotation when an extra starter is needed. One of the two will start the final game of the first road trip (April 2) to provide extra early-season rest for the regular starters.

ON THE BUBBLE: (2): Brandon Workman, Tyler Thornburg

Workman was a surprise, 11th-hour cut at the end of spring training last March when his diminished velocity raised some flags with the staff. To a lesser extent, that's been the case again this year. Last season, he spent three different stints in the Boston bullpen, but that's not a path they can take this year because he's out of options.

The same can be said of Thornburg, who, until Sunday, had been scored upon in each of his first four appearances. Thornburg needs some better outings in the final week of Grapefruit League to solidify a spot. He, too, is out of options and there remains the possibility that the Sox could buy him out by March 25 and save themselves a little more than $1.3 million. (Thornburg and the Sox agreed to a deal to avoid arbitration last winter, but that contract isn't guaranteed until Opening Day).

OTHERS IN THE MIX: (5) Darwinzon Hernandez, Colten Brewer, Bobby Poyner, Marcus Walden, Jenrry Mejia.

Poyner and Walden were surprise additions to the major league roster at the end of spring training. Poyner (8.22 ERA) hasn't done a whole lot to distinguish himself this spring. Walden has performed better (1.69 ERA with 10 strikeouts in 10.2 innings), but he's viewed more as a 4A performer.

Brewer has long intrigued the Sox because of his pitch mix of cutter and power curve and were further attracted to the fact that he has remaining options, making him a valuable piece who can be moved up and back between the majors and Triple-A.

Hernandez is fascinating and has clearly impressed the organization with his stuff and maturity this spring. He's only pitched six innings above Single-A before this spring and ordinarily, there would be concerns about rushing him. But he could fit perfectly as the 13th guy on the staff, while giving the Sox a power lefty arm for the first week or so until Pedroia is activated.

Moreover, it would be easy to option Hernandez back to either Portland or Pawtucket in early April and say he needs additional development time. That way, as long he remains in the minors for at least 20 days, the Sox could maintain an additional year of control.

Finally, there's Mejia, who is on a minor league deal. Cora said Sunday that "I'm not saying he's battling for a roster spot,'' but the fact that he and the organization have liked what they've seen and plan a few more looks at him this week suggests he hasn't been entirely eliminated from the competition.

Mejia hasn't pitched in the majors since 2015 could be an impediment, but he's built sufficient arm strength since winter ball, and like Hernandez, could be a candidate for the 13th spot, then sent to the minors after a short stint to start the season.