Red Sox Spring Report: Rehabbing from stress fracture, Alex Verdugo could return in three weeks

Three things you need to know out of Fort Myers:

1. Verdugo return to game action on horizon

Alex Verdugo is still recovering from a stress fracture in his lower back and has yet to so much as swing a bat this spring as the Red Sox closely monitor his workload. But interim manager Ron Roenicke suggested that the outfielder may be ready to appear in some Grapefruit League games in the next few weeks.



"I would say that when we start getting into the middle of March and on, that he's got a chance to play some games,'' Roenicke told reporters Tuesday. "I think he does, yeah, depending on how fast he comes along with his swinging. But he's doing really well. We just haven't asked him to swing a bat yet.''

The Red Sox were aware of Verdugo's condition when they obtained him earlier this month. The club then acknowledged that it was unlikely Verdugo would be in the lineup when the Red Sox open the season March 26 in Toronto.

2. Martinez could see time in left field.

The past few seasons, the Red Sox seemed to make a point of not using J.D. Martinez in left field during home games. Martinez made just three starts in left at Fenway last year after making 17 starts there at home in 2018.

Martinez had played more right field in his career prior to coming to Boston, so that was his comfort zone. But, of course, there's a lot of ground to cover in right at Fenway and that exposed Martinez at times.

On Tuesday, Martinez got the start in left at jetBlue Park, where the dimensions and features are nearly identical to that of Fenway. Getting Martinez some time in left in Fort Myers will likely lead to some opportunities in left at Fenway.

"If we're on the road, maybe he plays right,'' Roenicke told reporters. "If we're at home, it would be nice for him to get used in left fie.d.

The acquisition of Kevin Pillar gives the Red Sox an established outfielder to come off the bench this season. Presumably, Pillar will become pretty much an everyday player at the start of the season while Verdugo continues to recover. When Verdugo is healthy, Pillar can fill in at all three outfield spots and play center over Jackie Bradley Jr. against lefties.

Pillar's presence will likely cut into playing time in the outfield for Martinez. Martinez's bat is far more valuable to the Sox and he may be limited to DH more, especially with some concerns about Martinez's back and lower body.

3. Benintendi more comfortable at the top

The Red Sox experimented with Andrew Benintendi as their leadoff hitter for the first two months last year. It didn't go well, especially leading off games. In his first at-bat leading off last year, Benintendi had just five hits in 42 at-bats (.119). He had just one extra-base hit in those 42 at-bats.

Eventually, Benintendi was dropped in the order. But with Mookie Betts traded and the injured Verdugo as the only other possibility to hit leadoff, Benintendi is being looked at there again.

So far, it's gone well. On Saturday, Benintendi singled and stole a base. On Monday, he homered before flying out in Tuesday's first at-bat.

Then again, Benintendi never thought hitting leadoff was the issue last year.

"I think that was just during a period I wasn't playing well,'' he told reporters Monday. "At that point, it didn't matter where I hit. It was not going well.''

Roenicke noticed Benintendi experimenting a lot last year, with adjustments to his swing, set-up and stance.

"He kept tinkering with stuff,'' said Roenicke.

This year, he'd prefer it if Benintendi trusted himself more and thought less at the plate.

"If you think less,'' reasoned Roenicke, "it means you feel good with what you're doing with your mechanics. You're allowed to really concentrate on the baseball.''