Red Sox Notebook: Richards can't find mechanics again; Barnes sharp, but knows closer job not won yet

Through two outings, it still hasn't clicked for newcomer Garrett Richards.

After his first appearance in which he allowed two runs on three hits with two walks, Sunday didn't represent much in the way of improvement. Facing the Braves a second time, Richards was roughed up for four runs on three hits and four walks. He was scheduled to go three innings, but was lifted after two, having labored enough.

"I'm continuing to get my timing, synching up my upper and lower half. That's been kind of the issue so far,'' said Richards. "It's all mechanical stuff right now. In spring training, you're working on stuff and I'm just working through it. That's what spring training is so far, though, so let's get it all out now and start to sharpen the knife and hopefully we're clicking by the end.''

Richards attributes some of his problems to the injuries he's had in recent seasons, forcing him to constantly fine-tune his delivery.

"I'm just trying to get back to where I was before,'' he said. "I throw across my body; I kind of have a lot going on when I throw a baseball. So, I have two or three things that I have in my brain that are kind of checkpoints for my delivery, that I try to stay as consistent as possible. Right now, I'm doing it every once in a while, but I'm not doing it all the time. It's just about the reps, about getting the brain connected to the body. I'm just trying to get back on track, man. It's baseball.''

"He's just fighting his mechanics,'' said Alex Cora. "For me, with Garrett, it's about health. You see that the velocity was up there and his breaking ball was outstanding today. Some of them, it takes longer than others (to get right) and right now, he's fighting himself.''

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Matt Barnes has made it clear that he would like to be the team's closer, but understands that even a few strong outings -- like the one he had Sunday, in which he struck out two in a scoreless inning -- isn't about to win him the spot.

"I'll be honest with you, I don't think I'm going to be judged on eight or nine outings in spring training, more than the last four of five years' worth of work,'' he said. "Obviously, if there was something drastic and I was coming out, throwing 88 mph, that's probably a topic for a different day. But if I come out, showing the stuff that I've had my entire career, I don't think the eight or nine outings in spring training, where I'm building up and looking to get ready for the season, are going to define the decision on what they're going to do.''



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The Red Sox officially confirmed the signing of veteran utility man Danny Santana. Santana is a switch-hitter who can play numerous positions, and follows the early additions of Kiké Hernández and Marwin Gonzalez.

But there are two key differences: Santana is in camp on an invite, having signed a minor league deal. Also, after undergoing elbow surgery last fall, he's not yet fully recovered.

"He's a good player,'' said Cora. "Very versatile, athletic. We'll see where it takes us. We've got to be patient with him. He's going to be part of camp and he's going to be able to work out today. It's a good addition for the organization. He's a switch hitter who can hit the ball out of the ballpark, can play multiple positions, he can run, too. I'm glad that he decided to sign with us.''

Cora said Santana continues to make progress in recovering from surgery.

"He's going through his progression, throwing-wise,'' Cora said. "We're comfortable with where he's at. Obviously, he's not a full-go, but he's building up, which is a positive for us.''

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The Red Sox will enjoy their lone off-day of the spring Monday, but Cora said he hopes that players are smart about how they'll spend their free time, with the pandemic still in place.

"It will be a good day off to re-charge and come back ready to go on Tuesday,'' said Cora. "We're doing a good job with the part that really matters: the virus. We've been very disciplined. But there's a big day (Monday) with the off-day. We have to be careful, as an organization, not to get crazy and do stuff we're not supposed to do. You saw what happened in Houston (where eight players had to be quarantined). We have to be careful. Now, it's getting to the point where we have to really take care of each other because it's getting closer to (the start of) the season.

"We've been talking to the guys. There's a few things as far as the guidelines that you can do and not do. You just have to stick to them. Overall, they've done an outstanding job. I'm glad they've been disciplined. But it's an off-day. Hopefully, it rains and it's cold and there's no temptation to go to the beach or go outdoors. I'll be praying for that tonight.''

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Franchy Cordero, on the COVID-19 IL, has "one more step'' to clear before rejoining the team, according to Cora, who acknowledged that Cordero's return "seems like it's taking longer than expected.''...The Sox reinstated catcher Kevin Plawecki from the COVID-19 related IL. To make room for him on the 40-man roster, the Sox, who had designated righthanded pitcher Joel Payamps for assignment, saw him claimed by Toronto on Saturday....Xander Bogaerts, who has been held out of games as he deals with some soreness in his right shoulder, is getting closer to action. Bogaerts has begun throwing and will take batting practice Tuesday. Cora projected that he could make his Grapefruit League debut -- albeit as a DH to start -- by next weekend.. "We feel comfortable where he's at,'' said Cora...Cora reported that Eduardo Rodriguez emerged from his first start Friday without any issues. Cora strongly hinted that the lefty will draw the Opening Day assignment...Yairo Munoz had a strong day at the plate, with two hits and two RBI.