Zack Kelly, Greg Weissert earn spots in Red Sox bullpen
The 30-year-old, whose stuff made a considerable jump entering the 2024 season, feels that work he did this offseason to refine his command paid off throughout the spring.
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'I feel really good being in the zone,' said Kelly, who had his worst outing of the spring (⅔ of an inning, 3 hits, 2 runs) on Tuesday against the Sultanes just after learning he'd made the team. 'Everything's a work in progress. That doesn't stop now. But I've been in a really good spot in spring training and am looking forward to the season.'
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Weissert allowed six runs in 8⅔ innings in the Grapefruit League, but his outstanding performance down the stretch in 2024 gave him an inside track to a roster spot.
That duo will join
Aroldis Chapman
— who Cora anointed as the team's primary closer (though one who will see other innings besides the ninth) — as well as
Justin Slaten
,
Garrett Whitlock
,
Liam Hendriks
, and
Justin Wilson
in the bullpen.
The team is still deciding how to fill its final bullpen spot, whether with a long reliever such as
Cooper Criswell
, a lefthander such as
Brennan Bernardino
, or someone from outside the organization.
As for the rotation, Cora stopped just short of declaring lefthander
Sean Newcomb
(0.63 ERA, 13 strikeouts and three walks in 14⅓ spring innings) his fifth starter.
'Sean put himself in a position to be the guy,' said Cora. 'We'll get there when we get there. There's a good chance it's going to be him.'
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No sign of long-term deals
The Red Sox have defined
Kristian Campbell
as part of their present, tabbing him for the Opening Day roster. Yet while the team has been and remains interested in the possibility of a long-term deal, Campbell said that talks between the team and his agent never progressed to a point where they landed on his radar.
'I actually don't have anything on that as of right now. I would be open to hearing about [an offer], but I don't have anything on that,' said Campbell. 'I'm mainly just focusing on baseball right now. I've got a lot on my plate. But I literally haven't heard anything about that.
'It's just one day at a time. I'm open to listening if it comes up and I'm informed about it.'
Lefthander
Garrett Crochet
— whose unusual career track as a
'Before Opening Day, I'm not really thinking there's much possibility right now. I'm more so just focused on playing out the season,' said Crochet, who said during camp that he doesn't want to negotiate in-season. 'But the prospect of being here long term is incredibly exciting.'
Giving back to Mexican hosts
Marcelo Mayer
,
Jarren Duran
, and
Brennan Bernardino
took part in an MLB-organized 'Play Ball' clinic with kids from Monterrey.
'This meant everything to me,' said Mayer, whose mother was raised in Mexico. 'I love Mexico with all my heart, and it's not every day that we get to be here playing baseball and creating an impact in the community.'
A lot of requests for Jarren today!
— Red Sox (@RedSox)
Bernardino likewise has a special sentiment for Mexico's baseball culture. After being released from affiliated ball in 2019, he spent four seasons pitching in Mexico before returning to the States.
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For that reason, returning to Mexico with big league experience was meaningful.
'It's super special,' said Bernardino. 'There was a point in time where I was trying super-hard to go back and play in the States. But I loved it here and I always told myself, if I wouldn't have gotten back to the States, I still would feel like I've had a successful career being here in Mexico.'
Bernardino has a custom practice glove in the colors of the Mexican flag.
Casas avoids catastrophe
A bad-hop grounder on Monday night nearly proved calamitous for
Triston Casas
. The first baseman had the ball jump off the turf at Estadio Mobil Super and nearly hit him in the face. He instinctively reached up with his bare (right) hand to grab the ball and protect himself. The ball caromed off the base of his right hand. X-rays were negative, but Casas was held out of Tuesday's final exhibition in Monterrey as a precaution. He's expected to play on Opening Day … Cora said
Wilyer Abreu
— who was slowed at the start of spring training by a gastrointestinal illness — is '100 percent' ready to play on Opening Day. Infield reserve
Romy Gonzalez
(oblique) is also likely to be part of the roster to begin the year.
Alex Speier can be reached at
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New York Times
5 minutes ago
- New York Times
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Associated Press
7 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Hunter Dobbins caps an eventful week with his 2nd win over the Yankees
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Associated Press
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