Spring Training Blog: Despite Rain, A Busy Day For Red Sox
FORT MYERS, FLORIDA (CBS) - Even though it's been raining pretty hard all day Thursday, it's been a newsworthy day in The Fort.
- I asked John Farrell if he has any rules for his players: "Be on time and be professional."
Farrell also said he thinks Dustin Pedroia or Johnny Gomes will bat third against left-handers, and Ortiz third against right-handers. Jacoby Ellsbury will lead off with Victorino batting second.
- Farrell also said Clay Buchholz threw off a mound to a standing catcher as he continues to improve from the hamstring strain he suffered Tuesday.
- John Lackey says he's feeling great and that it's nice not to pitch with any pain in his elbow. He missed all of last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, and said it's been a couple years since he's pitched without pain in his elbow.
Lackey was asked if he feels 2013 is a fresh start for him.
"For sure. I think a lot of guys do in here," said Lackey. "I think we have a different mix and a fresh start with the new coaching staff; a lot of things are new around here. I feel like it's one of my first years in the big leagues again; I'm really excited to get going."
- Mike Napoli will undergo an MRI Thursday to see how his hip condition is coming along. Napoli has AVN, and the MRI will be sent to doctors in New York. If all is well, Napoli will start doing other baseball activities besides hitting within the next few days.
- Larry Lucchino said today he expects the sellout streak is going to "rest in peace sometime in April". He said the streak, which began on May 15th, 2003, may end as early as the second home game of the season, April 10th vs Baltimore.
It's currently at 793 games now, the sellout longest streak of any professional sports team.
10:22 a.m.: This should make all of you back up north feel better. We woke up to rain Thursday morning here in Fort Myers, and when it rains in Florida, it comes down in buckets.
Luckily it has stopped, just in time for the everyday players to hit the batting cages. All positional players are required to take physicals on-site today, and will then hit the field or cages for a workout. Pitchers will get their throwing in today outside, but other than that, it should be a quiet day in down in the Fort.
Shane Victorino has arrived, the last player to do so this spring. He is a high-energy guy and is welcoming the opportunity to play for the Red Sox, and also feels he has something to prove after a bit of a down year.
Rochie's Breakdowns: Red Sox Starting Rotation
Victorino will only be in camp for a couple of weeks though, as he will head off to play in the World Baseball Classic.
Shortstop Stephen Drew also spoke with the media today. He sounds a lot like his older brother J.D. I joked with him that Sox fans appreciate him wearing the same number as his brother -- saving them some money in the process.
Rochie On Toucher & Rich:
Toucher & Rich: Dan Roche Live From Red Sox Spring Training
I also talked to Jon Lester about the fish he caught yesterday after his workout. He said it was a snook? He told me it wasn't the biggest fish he ever caught; those honors go to a king salmon he caught in his home state of Washington while undergoing treatment for cancer a few years back.
Gallery: Spring Training Photos
Stick with CBSBostonsports.com throughout the day for updates from Fort Myers!
Follow WBZ-TV's Dan Roche on Twitter @RochieWBZ. Tune in to his updates from Red Sox Spring Training in Fort Myers, Florida all week on WBZ-TV, WBZ NewsRadio 1030 and 98.5 The Sports Hub!
