Roche: Red Sox "Gathering" In New York
NEW YORK CITY (CBS) - The Red Sox open up their season Monday afternoon against the Yankees at Yankee Stadium.
The Sox held what would be considered an optional workout Sunday afternoon. However, because it was optional, it was deemed a "gathering" because of the new CBA.
The story of Sunday? Jackie Bradley, Jr. The phenom of the spring made the 25-man roster and manager John Farrell announced that Bradley, Jr. would be starting the opener in left field. Bradley was officially told Saturday on the team plane ride from Ft. Myers to New York. Needless to say, he was quite happy and expressed that to us reporters. His teammates were also quite happy for him. Dustin Pedroia hit him with some good Pedroia needling during batting practice.
Bradley was the talk of spring in New England, but he seems like he'll be able to handle it. I was told that the Sox knew it was a no-brainer as time went on and there wasn't much of a discussion....meaning they were all on board with him starting with the big league club.
Jon Lester seems excited for his 3rd straight Opening Day start. He says he changed his mechanics last All-Star break and things are working well for him now. The Sox need Lester and Buchholz to set the tone from Day One this season and both come in feeling good about what they are doing.
John Farrell wouldn't reveal his starting line-up, but one would think it would be something like the following vs CC Sabathia Monday:
- Ellsbury, CF
- Victorino, RF
- Pedroia, 2B
- Napoli, 1B
- Middlebrooks, 3B
- Salty, C
- Gomes, DH
- Bradley, Jr
- Iglesias, SS
- Lester, P
Other than Bradley, Jr, all else seems quiet with the Sox.
David Ortiz is with the team and will workout here in NY before heading back down to Florida. If things go well, Ortiz would start hitting in games when he gets back down there.
Stephen Drew is feeling better and progressing, but won't go any further until doctors get the paperwork all in order with Major League baseball, according to Farrell.
Farrell seems to like his team and thinks they have a chance to be that much better when Ortiz and Drew come back.
Happy Opening Day folks, enjoy!!!
Follow WBZ-TV's Dan Roche on Twitter @RochieWBZ.
