Red Sox Spring Training Blog: Roenicke Provides Update On Sale; Names Workman Closer

FORT MYERS, Florida (CBS) -- The Red Sox have a manager and now they'll get to work for the 2020 season. Pitchers and catchers have reported to Fort Myers, undergone their physicals, and finally on Wednesday, they'll have their first workout of spring training.

12:30 p.m.: Ron Roenicke just had his first post-workout chat with reporters, and gave us a few nuggets of information.

For starters, Chris Sale is battling a mild case of pneumonia, stemming from a recent bout with the flu. But Roenicke said the pitcher is feeling "really good" and it all probably sounds worse than it really is.

Sale threw on Tuesday and played catch again on Wednesday, and will be re-evaluated on Friday.

Roenicke also discussed the possibility of having an "opener" in their rotation, but nothing has been decided. He also told us that Brandon Workman will be the team's closer. He notched 16 saves in 22 opportunities last season, going a perfect 7-for-7 in September.

11:15 a.m.: Pitchers ended their first day of workouts with a conditioning run.

10:15 a.m.: Pitchers and catchers met for about 20 minutes at 9:15 a.m. ahead of their first workout of the spring, a meeting led by new manager Ron Roenicke.

Then they all did some stretching, throwing and long-toss, and relievers tossed their first official bullpen of the spring.

There are also several position players who took part in an informal workout, including Andrew Benintendi and Bobby Dalbec.

New Sox prospect Jeter Downs is with his new team, and shared a pretty funny story from him about meeting his favorite player growing up: Derek Jeter. We'll have that up shortly on CBSBoston.com. Downs currently has a locker between veterans JD Martinez and Mitch Moreland.

And it would appear Brock Holt's days with the Red Sox are over, as the team has assigned his No. 12 to newcomer Alex Verdugo. We'll from more from Fort Myers after Sox pitchers and catchers finish up their first workout of the day.

8:10 a.m.: Despite some foggy conditions at JetBlue Park, Red Sox baseball is very much back.

Most pitchers have been in Fort Myers for a week or so, taking part in some light tossing. That will ramp up on Wednesday, with 33 pitchers and six catches expected to get it all started at 10 a.m. with the team's first workout.

One pitcher who won't be here though is ace Chris Sale. The lefty's arm is healthy, but Sale himself is not, as he's battling an illness. (Maybe it's another belly button ring infection?) The start of Sale's spring routine will be slowed as a result, but the Red Sox expect him to be good to go by the time the regular season rolls around.

Boston is really counting on Sale to bounce back this season, especially with David Price no longer in the rotation. The Red Sox really only have four starters in Sale, Eduardo Rodriguez, Nathan Eovaldi and newcoming Martin Perez, so the health of their starters is going to be paramount throughout the season.

Maybe we'll hear from new skipper Ron Roenicke on Boston's plan for their fifth starter. He was named the interim manager on Tuesday, and he's expected to chat with reporters again after today's workout.

Stick with WBZ-TV, CBSN Boston, and CBSBoston.com throughout the day for all the updates from the first workout of Red Sox spring training!

In:
• MLB
• Boston Red Sox
• Dan Roche