Red Sox Notebook: Eduardo Rodriguez, Darwinzon Hernandez closer to return

The Red Sox got some good news Friday with the announcement that both Eduardo Rodriguez and Darwinzon Hernandez are in Boston and closer to rejoining the team after testing positive for COVID-19 earlier this month.

Rodriguez had been in the Miami area before making it up to Boston, while Hernandez was in his native Venezuela.

"They still have to go through some things before we see them on the field,'' said manager Ron Roenicke, "but it's certainly nice to get back in town and hopefully, we'll get them out there in a short time.''

Initially, the Sox had four players test positive as part of their original intake: Rodriguez, Hernandez, Josh Taylor and Bobby Dalbec. Dalbec has already returned to join the team's workouts, while Taylor remains quarantined locally. Dalbec has already recorded his first intrasquad game at-bat.

Roenicke was uncertain how much Rodriguez has been able to throw over the last two weeks, but hopes to get that information soon.

"I really don't (have a sense),'' said Roenicke, "and talking to (pitching coach) Dave Bush, we really need to see him throw. So when we get him out here, on the field, we'll have him throw a bullpen and Dave will feel a lot better with what he sees and where he's at. The information that Eddie has given to us is that he has still be throwing quite a bit. We'll just get a read on it and see where it's at.''

_________________________________

The Red Sox added nine players to their Player Pool Friday: INF Jeter Downs, OF Jarren Duran, 1B Josh Ockimey, C Jhonny Pereda, RHPs R.J. Alvarez, Tanner Houck, Bryan Mata and Zack Godley, and LHPs Jay Groome and Bobby Poyner. All but Godley were assigned to the team's alternate training site at McCoy Stadium.



Godley, whose signing has been rumored for days, was added to the team's Player Pool as a non-roster invitee, meaning he's on a minor league deal.

The Sox will waste no time getting a look at Godley, who will throw an inning or two Saturday and is expected to throw in one of the upcoming exhibition games against Toronto.

Finally, the team also assigned the following players who had been in camp to the alternate training site: RHPs Mike Shawaryn, Caleb Simpson and Domingo Tapia, LHP Mike Kickham and catcher Connor Wong.

The Sox now have 57 active players on their Club Player Pool, plus the trio on the IL, putting them at the 60-man limit.

______________

Brian Johnson was hit around for four runs in the first inning before settling down and throwing three shutout innings.

Roenicke hasn't made any announcement about his rotation beyond the front three of Nathan Eovaldi, Martin Perez and Ryan Weber, but given that Johnson followed them this week, it would seem fairly obvious that he's ticketed for the No. 4 spot.

"I don't want to put the cart before the horse,'' said Johnson. "I don't know if I have to lock it up or have them tell me first before I start to assume anything because if you assume, I think that just leads you down a path that you don't want to go down. So, I'm still going out there every day assuming that I have to earn that fourth spot or following the opener spot or whatever it is.

"I have to earn a spot on this team. I'm obviously not on the 40-man, so I've got to prove to them that I serve a purpose on this team and that I have value. But whatever (role) they need, I'm ready for.''

________________

The rough stretch continued for closer Brandon Workman ,who was tagged for a three-run, opposite-field homer by Michael Chavis. Workman has allowed at least one run in each of his five appearances.

"He's obviously frustrated,'' said Roenicke. "I'm OK with his stuff; I think he's going to find. But I'm more concerned that he knows that he's going to find it. Right now, he's competitive. He doesn't like this. He wants to get through every inning clean and he's scuffling to do it and you can see it on the mound. I guess the good thing is, go through it (now) and get it over with and then get locked in again for the season.''