If it seems like spring training is flying by, that's because it is. Thanks to the lockout, this one is about half as long as usual -- cut down from the customary 6.5 weeks to just over three weeks this March.
A week from Thursday, the Red Sox will open the regular season at Yankee Stadium. For the month of April, teams will be permitted to carry 28 players -- two more than normal -- to help provide depth after the shortened spring.
On Sunday, the Red Sox made a big cut -- 13 players were either optioned or re-assigned to minor league camp, leaving 42 players still in camp.
The decisions will, predictably, get harder from here -- they always do as teams get closer to the final cuts.
But here's a look at where things likely stand, position-by-position
STARTING PITCHERS (5): Nathan Eovaldi, Nick Pivetta, Tanner Houck, Michael Wacha and Rich Hill.
With Chris Sale (stress fracture of the right rib cage) bound for the IL to start the season, the first four are set. The final spot in the rotation will go to either Hill or Garrett Whitlock.
It might have been telling that Whitlock started Sunday, with Hill coming in relief. Was that Alex Cora tipping his hand? Or was it just taking a look at how Whitlock would adjust to the routine of starting, something he hadn't done since July of 2019. I still think Hill gets the nod here, as he's been more effective in the starter's role. Meanwhile, Whitlock can continue to pitch multiple innings and be stretched out enough that a transition to the rotation at some point could still be made.
Sale is expected at some point in May. Further on the horizon awaits lefty James Paxton, still rehabbing from Tommy John surgery with July his likely return date.
BULLPEN (10): Matt Barnes, Ryan Brasier, Garrett Whitlock, Jake Diekman, Hirokazu Sawamura, Matt Strahm, Darwinzon Hernandez, Austin Davis, Eduard Bazardo and Phillips Valdez.
No area is more fluid or more subject to change than a bullpen, and that's especially true this year. To begin with, two pitchers who likely would start the season on the roster won't be ready. Lefty Josh Taylor is dealing with a lower back issue that will likely result in him starting the season on the IL. Meanwhile, Hansel Robles, who was signed to a minor league deal last week, is experiencing visa issues and hasn't arrived in camp. When each is ready, they'll likely be placed on the roster, but that won't be until sometime later in April.
CATCHERS (2): Christian Vazquez, Kevin Plawecki
Nothing fancy -- or new here -- just the same tandem from the last two years. Connor Wong represents positional depth at Triple A Worcester.
INFIELDERS (6): Bobby Dalbec, Travis Shaw, Christian Arroyo, Trevor Story, Xander Bogaerts and Rafael Devers.
The starting infield will be comprised of, left to right, Devers, Bogaerts, Story and Dalbec, with Shaw available, for now, against some righthanders at first and Arroyo serving as the all-purpose utility man. In time, Triston Casas could see some time at first from the left side, but the Sox want him to get some further development time at Triple A. His time will come, and relatively soon -- but not by Opening Day.
OUTFIELDERS (5): Alex Verdugo, Kike Hernandez, Jackie Bradley Jr., J.D. Martinez,and Rob Refsnyder.
Verdugo, Hernandez and Bradley will be the starters left to right, with Martinez getting some outfield reps against lefties and Bradley sitting. Look for Arroyo to perhaps enter the outfield equation at some point.
Refsnyder isn't a great option, but for now, he's the best the Red Sox have - a righthanded bat to complement Bradley. You can bet the Red Sox will be watching the waiver wire carefully over the next week or so to see if there's a better option, while also monitoring trade talks.
Jarren Duran, who saw some time with the big league club last year and will likely get another opportunity during the season -- just not at the outset.
