BRADENTON, FL -- With the start of the regular season clearly in sight, the Red Sox have lined up how their rotation is going to look to begin the year.
It's been known for some time that Corey Kluber will get Opening Day honors, with presumed No. 1 starter Chris Sale pushed back to the second spot in the rotation. Sale will be followed by Tanner Houck in the third game.
The fifth spot, meanwhile, will be occupied by Nick Pivetta. Pivetta, who led the team in starts and innings last year, pushed back a bit when informed of his place in the rotation, presumably believing he had earned the fourth spot. But as Alex Cora explained Thursday, the Red Sox want to have someone assured of providing innings in the fifth spot so that the bullpen is not overtaxed the day before Kluber's turn comes up -- especially early in the schedule as the Sox carefully manage the 37-year-old's workload.
That leaves the fourth spot for Kutter Crawford with winning out and Josh Winckowski going to the bullpen.
Winckowski, who was in competition for the rotation, is happy to make the roster after changing his philosophy over the winner and adapting a more positive attitude.
"It's OK to be tough on yourself,'' he said after tossing five innings and allowing two runs. "But sometimes, I stayed there too long. And last year, I was chasing lots of siwngs and misses and swinging strikes -- which is obviously a good area -- but I think I let it go too far. So this year, I'm definitely more comfortable with who I am as a pitcher and being consistent with it.''
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By Saturday, the Red Sox will have a clearer understanding of where things stand for both outfielder Raimel Tapia and catcher Jorge Alfaro.
Both players have so-called "upward-mobility'' clauses that allow them to leave for another organizations if offered a major league roster spot.
Tapia seems close to a lock to open with the Sox, based on his strong spring (.972 OPS, two homers) and the Sox' stated need for a left-handed hitting outfielder.
Alfaro's path is less clear. The club is intrigued with his power (22 homers in 2019 with Miami) and likes his arm strength, but Alfaro's receiving skills are suspect. He's worked extensively with catching instructor Jason Varitek to improve on his pitch blocking and handling of the staff.
In a perfect world, the Sox would stash Alfaro at Triple A at the start of the season and deal with his more conventional opt-out clause at the end of May, all the while maintaining control of a good depth piece at an important position.
"I'm just focused on whatever I can do at the plate,'' said Alfaro, who homered in the Red Sox' 7-4 win, "and in the field. I'm just focused on my job, be consistent in my at-bats, and try to make the pitchers feel comfortable on the mound. I'm not trying to force anything. I'm just trying not to think too much and go out and have fun.''
Not long ago, Alfaro's chances of making the roster seemed stronger after a hamstring injury sidelined his primary competition, Connor Wong. But Wong has rallied physically and is poised to play the final handful of games here.
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In the wake of the injury to lefty reliever Joely Rodriguez (Grade 2 oblique pull), the Sox are still in the process of determining whether to carry a second lefty in the bullpen (to pair with Richard Bleier), or to opt for someone who could provide length in the pen.
The lefty candidates included journeyman Ryan Sherriff or Oddanier Mosqueda. Both players would need to be added to the 40-man roster, adding another variable to the decision-making.
"We can't add everybody,'' noted Cora. "We know that. I think the schedule will dictate a lot of what we do and the roster comes into play, too.''
Cora went on to strongly hint that he was leaning toward a reliever who could give the Sox multiple innings in relief, especially with the Sox wanting to provide protection for veterans like Kluber and Sale early in the year.
Among the choices there: Winckowski, Zack Kelly and Kaleb Ort.
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Nick Yorke, one of the Red Sox' top-ranked prospects, got a start at second base against the Pirates -- and it came at the request of Cora.
"I wanted to see him today,'' said Cora. "I don't usually request players (from the minor league side), but I haven't seen him (play). Obviously, it was a challenging year for him last year (.668 OPS at High A), which is part of the process. We know he has upside. He can hit, which is the most important thing. I think physically, he's in a good spot. I talked to him a few times and mentally, he's in a good place. Now, it's just a matter of going out there and do the things he does and dominate.''
Yorke has made numerous changes to his set-up and mechanics at the plate, and his stance and swing now somewhat resemble that of Mookie Betts.
"I think it's good for him to be here with us (for a game),'' said Cora, "to give him a chance to play and have fun.''
Yorke went down swinging on three pitches in his first plate appearance but made a fantastic diving catch in right field in the third, taking a hit away from Carlos Santana, then doubling off a Pittsburgh baserunner.
"No one can just hit in the big leagues,'' he said. "You have to have some sort of contribution on defense as well.''
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Cora revealed that Wyatt Mills, acquired in a three-way trade involving Atlanta and Kansas City last December, is dealing with a flexor injury in his right arm and will start the season on the IL. That brings the total of players set to begin the season on the IL to five: Garrett Whitlock, James Paxton, Brayan Bello, Joely Rodriguez and Mills.