Here is some Tuesday Night Notes from the Red Sox as we near Opening Day:
Lebron James becoming part-owner of the Red Sox:
The Red Sox parent company “Fenway Sports Group” completed a deal today that involves NBA star LeBron James.
It includes a partnership between the 4 Time NBA champion LeBron James and business partner Maverick Carter becoming Fenway Sports Group’s first black partner.
James already owned a 2% stake in Liverpool, a Premier League soccer team in England, which John Henry and the Fenway Sports Group owns as well.
The NBA star is reportedly just waiting for the MLB’s approval.
After tinkering around with the idea of a 6-Man Rotation, Red Sox are going with a 5-Man Rotation:
The Red Sox had the idea of a 6-Man rotation floating around early in camp, but today it was ultimately decided and announced that they will be going with just a 5-Man Rotation.
This comes after having really only a 2-Man rotation in 2020, with the 3 days of not Eovaldi or Perez pitching being openers, which rarely worked. During the 2020-2021 offseason, the Red Sox added to the pitching staff a ton, and it’s gonna be a tough decision for the final 5.
Nathan Eovaldi, Eduardo Rodriguez, and Martin Perez all have solidified a guaranteed spot for the rotation for spots 1-3, but there’s other guys in the mix for the 4-5 starters. Nick Pivetta, Tanner Houck and Matt Andriese are really the main competitors for the two spots. That’s also not including when Chris Sale will join the staff in the summer.
Danny Santana hospitalized with foot infection:
Alex Cora announced Monday that veteran utility man Danny Santana has been in the hospital since saturday with a right foot infection. Earlier this morning, Cora provided more news regarding the situation:
“He’s still in the hospital,” Cora said. “He had the procedure yesterday. Everything went well. Actually, Danny texted me. He feels a lot better. He might take two or three more days for him to be there, and then after that the stitches. It’s going to take a while.”
“It’s not sooner rather than later,” said Cora. “This is going to take a while. But, it is what it is. We just want him healthy and we’ll be patient with him.”
Santana’s chances of making the Opening Day Roster are most likely diminished now, as the 30 year old utility man looks to recover quickly.
Ryan Brasier will most likely not be ready for the start of the season:
Ryan Brasier is doubtful for the start of 2021, after fracturing his finger in the offseason. Brasier has a 3.70 career ERA with the Red Sox, which is from 2018-2020.
Xander Bogaerts to play SS Wednesday:
Tomorrow, after a sore shoulder bothered Bogaerts at the start of Spring Training, Bogaerts is scheduled to return to action at shortstop. Bogaerts returned to the lineup Friday, but that was at DH. Tomorrow, he’ll be making his first appearance of Spring at shortstop.