Why there are no plans to drop Roman Anthony in the Red Sox lineup
“It’s not a Roman thing, right?” Tracy mentioned Friday, earlier than the Red Sox’ first residence recreation since the firing of Alex Cora and six coaches final Saturday. “As a group, we have some guys going through it.”
The Red Sox’ lineup is plagued by guys hitting poorly. Jarren Duran remained the leadoff man regardless of a .170 common and .481 OPS, which ranked fifth-worst amongst certified hitters.
Trevor Storybatting fifth, got here in at .197 and .532.
Carlos Narvaez (.234 and .617) you might have picked it up recently. Caleb Durbin (.172 and .542) hasn’t.
“I’m optimistic, because I look and say, ‘I don’t think five guys are going to OPS .500 on September whatever,’” Tracy mentioned. “As a group, law of averages says these guys are going to get going because they can hit. So if it was a Roman thing, maybe we’d talk about that. But I think as a group, we’re all trying to collectively get going together.”
As for Anthony: He appeared to be figuring it out, posting a .318/.516/.409 slash line in a seven-game stretch final month.
But then he tweaked his neck/again and sat out for 4 video games. In 4 video games since his return, Anthony went 2 for 16 (.125) with seven strikeouts and two walks.
“Plainly put, when Roman’s really, really going well, he’s not swinging out of the zone, he’s driving the ball in the air, and he hits the ball in the air and drives it to the opposite gap, too,” Tracy mentioned. “When he’s not going as well, you might see a little bit more ground balls to the right side.
“When he gets on a heater, he can go for a while. So we’re looking for that from a few guys to get going.”
Injured ace Garrett Crochet wound up getting an MRI on his left shoulder, Tracy said, and it showed nothing other than inflammation, which was good news for the Sox.
However, he is shut down from throwing for at least a couple of days while he focuses on rebuilding shoulder strength.
Tracy emphasized that the Red Sox are not putting a timeline, publicly, on his return. Crochet said Wednesday that he was confident he would return as soon as he is eligible, which is May 11.
“We’ll take the next couple days to really attack the shoulder strengthening piece, and then as we get to a point where he feels good enough to start throwing, he will,” Tracy mentioned. “So no timetable yet. Obviously, he’s a very important piece of our organization, our team, so we’re not going to set a timetable of when this is going to happen.
“When he’s feeling good and ready, that’s when he’ll be back on the mound.”
Among other injury updates: Righthander Sonny Gray (right hamstring strain) threw three innings of live batting practice, facing Durbin and Drew Ehrhard.
Ehrhard, who had been with Double-A Portland, retired as a player this week to join the major league staff. His official title: interim bullpen catcher.
Gray said it was “fun” to get off the mound and added that he would be comfortable if his next outing was in a major league game. That would mean skipping a minor league rehab assignment. Tracy said the Sox haven’t decided Gray’s next step.
Justin Slaten (right oblique strain) said he will make a rehab appearance with Portland on Sunday.
The Red Sox officially added Nelson Paulino as an interim hitting coach. He had been the hitting coach for Low-A Salem in his 29th year with the organization.
“Pepe has been around this organization for a really long time,” Tracy said.
Brayan Bello (9.12 ERA) is scheduled to take his next turn in the rotation, Tracy said. That would be Tuesday against the Tigers.
Until Gray and Crochet return, the Red Sox don’t have many other options, given the litany of injuries that have torn through their pitching depth chart.
Tim Healey will be reached at timothy.healey@globe.com. comply with him @timbhealey.
