Red Sox manager John Farrell addressed the media on Tuesday discussing a litany of topics; chief among them was his bullpen.
Farrell praised some of the new bullpen acquisitions, including Burke Badenhop, whom the Red Sox got from the Brewers in a trade three months ago.
“You look at the last two years…he’s been a dependable, very consistent strike-thrower, deep reliever,” said Farrell “He’s a guy that you know what you’re going to get when he comes to the mound.”
The Red Sox also signed Edward Mujica, who recorded 37 saves with the Cardinals last season. Mujica joins an already deep cast of set-up men, which includes Junichi Tazawa, Craig Breslow and Andrew Miller.
Farrell said of this bunch, “They don’t create havoc on the basepaths by issuing base on balls. They’ve got an out pitch. They’ve been effective against opposite sides of the plate … We are set up to have a deep and quality bullpen.”
Farrell said that both Daniel Nava and Shane Victorino will not play Thursday against Northeastern and Boston College, nor in Friday’s Grapefruit League opener against the Twins. Nava has been experiencing discomfort in his neck, causing him to miss batting practice on Monday and Tuesday. He is scheduled to resume all baseball activities on Wednesday.
Victorino, however, may be missing more time down the road.
“We felt there were some other things we needed to address just for core strengthening, and he’s going through that right now,” Farrell said. “We don’t have a date right now where he’d be in games. There’s some other work we’ve got to take care of first.”
Farrell also made it clear that Victorino’s absence from the lineup has nothing to do with his hand, as Victorino had offseason surgery on his thumb.
Meanwhile, reclamation project Grady Sizemore is expected to play in Thursday’s doubleheader.
“We came into camp knowing we were going to have to work on his readiness and comfort level,” said Farrell, “He’s answered everything within the schedule so far…Thursday is not too soon, based on some of the answers he’s gotten through the workouts.”
The former Cleveland Indian and three-time All-Star has not played in a MLB game since 2011 due to various injuries.
