FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The schedule says the Red Sox will be kicking off their season March 26 in front of fans at Rogers Centre. Until we hear differently, that's the plan.
Could there not be any fans? Might these games actually be in Florida? All on the table. But other than making sure we keep six feet away from every human being due to the coronavirus it is currently business as usual when digesting this edition of the Red Sox. There won't be hand sanitizer on the mound and the over-under for high-fives in even the most meaningless spring training game will be 148. There is still baseball being played.
So, with that in mind, it's a worthy exercise to take stock of exactly where interim manager Ron Roenicke's interim Red Sox are at the moment:
- The starting rotation is somewhat coming into view. Whether or not you like that view is up to you.
Eduardo Rodriguez and Nathan Eovaldi have looked good. Martin Perez has had his moments, both good and bad with his last outing offering some optimism. As we sit here it sure appears as though Ryan Weber has that No. 4 spot locked down. That leaves No. 5.
Unless there is some sort of 11th-hour acquisition this is going to be where we are introduced to the Opener. As for who will be a chief participant in the plan, Roenicke gave a pretty good hint when stretching Colten Brewer out to 2 2/3 innings Tuesday.
"We're thinking of trying to extend him as long as we can. I think his next outing we're going to try and go longer with him, probably on a backfield in a B game type," Roenicke said. "He is going to be one of the guys depending on what we do with that fifth spot, he could be a big piece of that. He's throwing the ball great. He is so much more aggressive in the strike zone. Last year he was kind of off and on. Last year he was kind of off and on. When he was in the strike zone he was really good and then he would get a little wild. Right now what I see is he is just getting after it, going right at people. He's got a great fastball, great movement on it and he's got a wipeout curveball and slider.
"I don't know if we're really stretching him out to be a starter. If we do that we would probably start him a couple of games to see. And maybe we get to that point. But right now we love how he is throwing the ball and we want to make sure he has the innings."
It was a similar approach taken when it came to Marcus Walden the day before, who also was extended beyond just an inning. Darwinzon Herandez ultimately will be thrown in that mix but after missing some time due to a death in the family he is playing a bit of catch up.
- As for the final few spots on the 13-man pitching staff, it would appear as though Austin Brice will have the inside track on one of them. (He has been good, has big league experience and is out of options.) So that leaves us with Rodriguez, Eovaldi, Perez, Weber, Brewer, Hernandez, Walden, Brice, Brandon Workman, Josh Taylor, Matt Barnes, Heath Hembree, and Ryan Brasier. If something changes in the last two weeks non-roster Brian Johnson (who bounced back from a rough first inning Tuesday) and Jeffrey Springs (who does have three options) are legitimate options.
This, of course, does not include Chris Sale who is scheduled to text his UCL Friday. (Yes, the list of uncertainty grows by the day.)
- Roenicke threw roster-projectors a curveball Tuesday when surfacing the idea of possibly keep three catchers for Opening Day while Alex Verdugo recovers. Kevin Plawecki has had an outstanding camp, both offensively and defensively but Roenicke really likes what Jonathan Lucroy brings to the table. It is notable how much progress Lucroy has made throughout the past few weeks, looking more and more like the player we haven't seen in the past three or so years.
A big piece of the justification Roenicke might have in keeping Lucroy is his ability to supply an offensive option off the bench.
"The thing I guess that's different about that is who that 26th player is going to be. Is it going to be a guy that I need that can swing it offensively, also? Can it be a pinch hitter? Luc plays a little first base," Roenicke said. "Vazquez plays first base – we had him at third some last year; we won't try to do that a lot – so they're not just a catcher. Because our catchers are good offensively, it allows us to maybe carry three. I don't know. I think ideally, you always think about too, but that 26th man really allows you to go three. Two years ago, we carried three guys the whole year with a 25-man roster. So, I think just the more we see these guys, we'll have a better idea."
- One player who we thought might be able to take advantage of the 26th spot on the roster was Rule 5 pick Jonathan Arauz. But as often happens, players are exposed as spring training evolves and with Arauz playing just 28 games in Double-A it is clear the infielder has a ways to go before being considered for big-league duty. Against major league pitching this week he has suddenly looked a bit overmatched.
- Unless something takes a turn, Tzu-Wei Lin is on your Opening Day roster.
It is the same dynamic facing the camp's early start, outfielder Jarren Duran. Duran is suddenly looking like a player who needs another year in the minors before being considered for the majors, striking out 10 times in his 25 plate appearances.
- One player who absolutely needs at-bats heading into these final two weeks is Xander Bogaerts. Bogaerts got a late start because of his ankle injury and it is showing, still looking for his first Grapefruit League hit while striking out in five of his first nine plate appearances.
- A star in camp has been Janzen Witte. At 30 years old, the Red Sox' 24th round pick in the 2013 draft has never seen a major league game, playing the last three seasons mostly in Triple-A Pawtucket. But both offensively and defensively he has stood out while playing exclusively at third base.
"Yes, he is," Roenicke said with a smile when told Witte is having quite a camp. "I know Jerry Narron ... That's his guy right now. He loves to see when he's in there defensively and then he comes up with big hits. He's just one of those guys you have to like. He works his tail off and he gets in there and he's a gamer."
- One pitcher to keep an eye on: Robinson Leyer. The slightly-built righty has been hitting high 90's mph, coming off a season in which he struck out 30 batters in 23 2/3 innings with Double-A Portland.
