The Monday, March 6, 2017

* The Boston Globe

Catcher Sandy Leon is taking nothing for granted

Peter Abraham

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Sandy Leon has been demoted to the minor leagues more times than he can remember.

“Five times,” the Red Sox catcher said. “Maybe six. I’m not sure. It happened a lot.”

When Leon ran out of minor league options with the in 2015, they sold him to the Red Sox a week before the season began.

The Red Sox designated Leon for assignment in July and again in November that year. He cleared waivers both times, the 29 other teams passing on him. That allowed the Red Sox to send him to Triple A Pawtucket.

It wasn’t until midway through last season that Leon became an established starter in the majors. He hit .310 over 78 games with an .845 OPS and started all three games in the playoffs.

“I’m not sure we make the postseason without him,” said Rick Porcello, who won the American League Cy Young Award with Leon catching 15 of his starts. “Sandy had a great season.”

For the first time in his career, Leon arrived at spring training secure in the knowledge that he had a place on the team.

Right?

“I don’t know how to think that way,” Leon said before the Red Sox beat the Atlanta Braves, 11-1, on Sunday. “Nothing is guaranteed. I have feel like I have to give 100 percent and see what happens.”

Leon, who turns 28 later this month, was invited to play in the World Classic by two teams. Venezuela, his homeland, asked Leon to play as did Colombia, the birthplace of his wife, Liliana.

He turned both nations down. He didn’t want to assume anything with the Red Sox.

“It would have been a great honor to play for my country, or to play for Colombia and honor my wife,” Leon said. “But I felt it was important to be here. I have to get ready for Opening Day. That is my job. Keep playing hard, keep working. I just wanted to do what I have been doing.”

The Red Sox have strong backup catchers in Christian Vazquez and Blake Swihart. Both are capable of wrestling the job away from Leon and have the advantage of being drafted and developed by the organization. Both players have supporters within the organization.

But Leon doesn’t view them as competition in a traditional sense.

“I’m not here to beat out one guy or another guy,” he said. “As a catcher, you have to work with everybody and do your best. Whatever happens, I want to say I played hard. It’s not me against somebody else, it’s each of us trying to be the best catcher we can be.”

Sox manager John Farrell has yet to notice any change in how Leon has approached his job from previous seasons when his career was on the line.

“He’s had to battle through a number of things — off the roster, on the roster, out of options, being traded,” the manager said. “I don’t think he takes a lot of things for granted. He’s grateful for whatever he’s been able to achieve so far, and he’s fully engaged with every guy he’s handled on the mound. All systems go.”

Leon is a trusted defensive catcher, Farrell crediting his presence as one of the major factors in Red Sox dropping their from 4.43 before the All-Star break to 3.50 after.

His game-calling skills, ability to work with the pitchers, and durability became counted on over the final months as the Sox secured the American League East championship.

The concern is that Leon was 12 of 73 (.164) in his final 23 games, counting the playoffs. He struck out in 37 percent of his at-bats and had only three extra-base hits.

Leon looked worn out, and understandably so. He played 53 games of winter ball in Venezuela before the season followed by 36 games for Triple A Pawtucket and 78 for the Red Sox.

“I did play a lot last season,” Leon said. “My body felt fine, but I went through some things. I expanded the strike zone because I got excited and tried to do too much. I felt good, but I was swinging at bad pitches. Every hitter goes through that.”

Said Farrell: “I think it was a combination. As much as he expanded the strike zone, that’s fatigue related as he tried to get started earlier against velocity. He was chasing up [in the strike zone]. Then teams fed him a heavy dose of off-speed.”

Leon played only four games of winter ball this year and came to camp feeling strong.

“I wanted to play some more, but maybe that was for the best,” he said.

He will be on the travel squad to West Palm Beach on Monday to catch Chris Sale in his spring training debut. Sale reported to camp in the first week of February and has been building up methodically since.

“It’s fun when you can catch those kind of guys,” Leon said. “One of the reasons I wanted to stay here and not play in the WBC was to get on the same page as Sale. I wanted to learn him. That has been very good.

“Sale just wants to win. He’s a great , but all he talks about is winning. He can win with his but he has a plus-breaking ball and he has a funky delivery. He’s going to be great for our team. Hopefully he helps get to the World Series this season. That is what I want to do next.”

Red Sox plate eight in the seventh inning vs. Braves

Peter Abraham

SCORE: Red Sox 11, Braves 1

RECORD: 4-6

BREAKDOWN: The Sox won for the third time in four games, breaking open a 3-1 game with eight runs in the seventh inning. Allen Craig had a two-run single in the inning, and minor leaguer Tzu-Wei Lin a two-run double. The Sox sent 12 batters to the plate in the inning. Veteran righthander Kyle Kendrick, in camp on a minor league contract, threw four no-hit innings, walking one and striking out one. “He pitched to contact, put the ball on the ground. That’s when he’s at his best,” manager John Farrell said. “He’s been as advertised.”

THUMBS UP: Catcher Christian Vazquez made what was perhaps his best throw since having Tommy John surgery in 2015, a laser to second base about a foot over the bag to get Micah Johnson trying to steal second base in the first inning. Vazquez also picked Austin Riley off first base in the third inning, but umpire Brian O’Nora missed the call. “The carry and accuracy is approaching pre-surgery,” Farrell said. “A very good day for Christian defensively.”

THUMBS DOWN: Facing what was essentially a minor league lineup, lefthander Robbie Ross Jr. allowed a run on two hits and a walk in the sixth inning.

MEDICAL REPORT: Outside of David Price (left elbow), none of the players are sidelined.

AROUND THE BASES: Andrew Benintendi was 5 for 5 against the Braves this spring before he was robbed of a hit in the third inning when Johnson made a diving catch in center field . . . Dustin Pedroia has played in four games but has only eight at-bats. That has been by design because of the longer spring training. He is 4 for 8 with a double and three runs scored . . . Farrell was enthused about Heath Hembree, who struck out three in the fifth inning . . . The Sox have scored 42 runs in their last four games.

NEXT GAME: The Sox start a three-game road trip on Monday with the first of two games at the new Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. They play the Astros at 1:05 p.m. The game will be on WEEI-AM (850). Chris Sale faces Chris Devinski.

Spring training lineups are a delicate balance

Peter Abraham

FORT MYERS, Fla. — For John Farrell and other managers, the challenge of spring training is finding the balance between preparing for the season and providing a suitable product on the field.

The Red Sox, as an example, are in the middle of a schedule that includes six games in six days in five cities. Fielding representative teams while not unnecessarily wearing out players requires extensive planning.

“This is our vehicle to get players ready physically,” Farrell said. “And yet you walk in [to the ballpark], and there’s 11,000 people. There’s this conflict of big business and getting players ready.”

Teams are required to use at least four “regulars” in spring training lineups. That guideline is often stretched for the sake of keeping players healthy. It’s more of an issue in Florida, where bus trips of 2-3 hours are common, than in Arizona.

“There’s a lot more to balance now than there was [years ago]. No more chemicals,” said Farrell, referring to baseball including amphetamines in its drug-testing program.

“You’re trying to take care of bodies and their physical condition and keeping them fresh. There’s a lot more asked of a player today than maybe before with no artificial way to maintain the performance level.”

The Price plan Sunday marked Price’s fifth consecutive day without throwing. According to Farrell, the pitcher has felt progressively better every day.

“All those are encouraging signs,” the manager said.

Price will not throw until he is free of symptoms.

“While that is nearing, I think we want to do what’s right by David and not circumvent or shortcut the initial rest period,” Farrell said. “He may feel like he’s champing at the bit to put a ball back in his hand. But we have to acknowledge that, OK, he came in sore and this has been the recommendation from the doctors and let’s adhere to it.”

Pick up the pace Starting this season, major league teams will have only 30 seconds to decide whether to ask for a replay challenge.

The Red Sox will have a new replay coordinator this year. Advance scouting assistant J.T. Watkins, who spent three seasons as a minor league catcher, will watch replays from a console in the clubhouse and call the dugout with a decision.

Watkins graduated from West Point and Ranger School, and prior to his minor league career, he was a field artillery officer. The pressure certainly won’t get to him.

Farrell said the decision usually comes down to slow-motion replays shown by the network carrying the game. The team asked NESN to have the slow-motion replays shown early in the 30-second window.

NESN spokesman Gary Roy said network officials met with the Sox during the offseason and discussed replays. For nondisputed plays, Roy said, NESN wants to show more “real time” replays to showcase the athleticism of the players.

“And alternatively to go to super slow-mo angles more quickly whenever we think a play may be in question and the super slow-mo cameras are shooting a relevant angle,” Roy said.

Duo getting close With Price almost sure to start the season on the disabled list, the Sox will need Steven Wright and Drew Pomeranz in the rotation. Both are drawing closer to pitching in a game.

They are scheduled to throw live batting practice on Wednesday, a final checkpoint before pitching in game early next week.

That schedule would allow Pomeranz and Wright to make five starts in spring training and build up to 85- 90 pitches.

Risky business Lefthanded reliever Fernando Abad left the team on Sunday to join up with the Dominican Republic for the World Baseball Classic. They start play in Miami on Thursday.

Abad has appeared in four games with what Farrell termed mixed results and is competing with rookie Robby Scott for a spot in the bullpen.

“You love the fact that his country looks upon him as a guy to contribute to the WBC,” Farrell said. “In those positions of competing for a spot, you’d like to think that the guy’s going to be here to make that mark. He’s aware the status of the roster.”

Abad lost his arbitration case against the Sox but did get a raise to $2 million. That deal is not guaranteed, however.

Tebow time The New York Post reported that Tim Tebow would be one of the minor leaguers added to the Mets roster when they host the Red Sox on Wednesday in Port St. Lucie. The 29-year-old Tebow is trying baseball after washing out of the NFL. He hit .194 in the . . . Rather than travel across the state to pitch an inning, Craig Kimbrel (Monday) and Joe Kelly (Tuesday) will appear in simulated games this week . . . In two spring training appearances, Tyler Thornburg has faced 14 batters and retired four of them. He has allowed seven hits with two walks and a hit batter. Before getting back into a game, Thornburg will have a bullpen session on Tuesday. “It’s been more timing in his delivery,” Farrell said. “He’s out of synch right now. You see a number of pitchers left up in the strike zone.”

* The Boston Herald

Red Sox notebook: Reclamation project Kyle Kendrick suddenly important participant in camp

Michael Silverman

FORT MYERS — The Atlanta Braves did not exactly bring an A-list lineup to JetBlue Park yesterday — when Kurt Suzuki is the most recognizable name in the starting nine, there’s a talent gap — but that should in no way take away from the performance Kyle Kendrick delivered.

With a drop-dead split- and a tumbling two-seam fastball, Kendrick would likely have enjoyed similar results against a more formidable group of hitters.

The Red Sox starter threw four hitless and scoreless innings, striking out one and walking another. He needed just 46 pitches.

“Very happy with (the day),” Kendrick said after the Red Sox’ 11-1 victory. “Just attacked the strike zone, getting some early contact which was nice, get some early outs and threw strikes, just wanted to be aggressive. (Catcher Christian) Vazquez, we worked well together, he did a good job. It was nice, enjoyed it.”

Kendrick has quickly jumped to the top of the starting-pitching depth chart. In case David Price (elbow) is not ready for Opening Day and if there is any sort of setback with Rick Porcello, Chris Sale, Eduardo Rodriguez, Steven Wright or Drew Pomeranz, Kendrick could receive long and close consideration as the next best option. The 32-year-old veteran with 212 big league starts under his belt fell off the radar the last couple of years and is now a reclamation project who could pay off big dividends.

Starts like yesterday’s in the Grapefruit League, no matter the lineup, count for quite a bit.

“I understand the position that I’m in — results kind of do matter for me, so I just want to go out there and show them that I’m healthy, that’s the main thing and throw well, put up some good results,” Kendrick said. “That’s kind of where I’m at, it’s kind of what I have to do.”

Said manager John Farrell: “Pitched to contact, put the ball on the ground, that’s when he’s at his best. Uses his defense well and we made some very good plays behind him today but as we expected when he came into camp, he came as advertised, and that’s throw the ball over the plate with some sink and some late cut action.”

Plans for Price

Price (elbow strain) will remain shut down for approximately a week.

In the meantime, Farrell outlined what he will be allowed to do.

“He still does his conditioning, it’s range of motion,” Farrell said. “There’s going to be light strengthening as permissible. No throwing for those days. I know David is probably feeling better today than he has yesterday and all those are encouraging signs, but there’s going to be range of motion, light strengthening, the cardio and conditioning from a general standpoint continues until we put a ball back in his hand.”

Price’s read on his pain and discomfort will be the benchmarks he needs to clear.

“I think we want to do what’s right by David and not circumvent or shortcut the initial rest period,” Farrell said. “He may feel like he’s champing at the bit to put a ball back in his hand, but we have to acknowledge, ‘OK he came in sore, this has been the recommendation from the doctors and let’s adhere to it.’ ” . . .

The Red Sox are giving reliever Tyler Thornburg extra attention. He has not been effective, allowing seven hits and seven earned runs in his two appearances and 11⁄3 innings.

“It’s been more timing in his delivery — he’s out of sync right now,” Farrell said. “His body is drifting to the plate too quick, you see a number of pitches left up of the strike zone up to his arm side. To see him hit a guy the other day with a changeup, that just says his timing right now needs a lot of work.”

Farrell said Thornburg is not hurt. He will likely appear in a game in another week.

Vazquez sharp

Vazquez had a strong game, nearly picking off a baserunner on a quick throw to first base, then throwing out Micah Johnson when he attempted to steal second base in the first inning.

“He was very good today,” Farrell said. “His feet are lightning quick. You see the pick at first base, the throw to second base on a guy that’s a good baserunner, a speedy baserunner with a good jump. The carry and the accuracy are approaching pre-surgery, so a very good (day).” . . .

Heath Hembree recorded three and allowed a single in his inning out of the bullpen.

“Heath Hembree had very good finish to all of his pitches today,” Farrell said. “You could see his attack plan against left-handers which has been a priority for him in spring training unfold and that’s what you’d like to see. A different approach. A breaking ball to lead things off. The ability to use a fastball or cutter in to some lefties, and he demonstrated that today. So that was a very encouraging outing, a crisp and strong outing by Heath.”

Grapefruit League season for real with Chris Sale’s first start for Red Sox

Michael Silverman

FORT MYERS — Today, it gets real for the Red Sox.

Finally.

After a lost, bipolar weekend spent caterwauling and then cartwheeling over the ever-changing status of David Price’s elbow — that show has been paused for about a week while his unique body part heals — today’s Grapefruit League start by Chris Sale against the carries even more lasting value and meaning.

Not to engage in any meaningless hyperbole, but for the next three seasons at least, Sale represents the living, breathing symbol of the entire hopes, dreams and philosophies of the Red Sox’ “win-now” guiding light.

The trade of the organization’s top two prospects — infielder Yoan Moncada and pitcher Michael Kopech — to the Chicago White Sox for the Cy Young-caliber, affordable and still-young Sale was a masterstroke of a move by president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski. He went for the best and got him.

Of course, Dombrowski had to give up the best in Moncada and Kopech, but he did so knowing that the farm system was still deep enough, for a time, in prospects and that Sale fit in perfectly with the current core of young positional talent and the sterling top of the rotation that features Price and Rick Porcello.

How the current system and Dombrowski’s own draft picks pan out should become clearer in the next couple of years, but this is no time to gauge the cost of the Sale trade.

It is not too soon to begin reaping the benefits of having a talent like Sale on this ballclub right now. With all due respect to Price and Porcello, Sale is the Red Sox starter who strikes the most fear in the hearts of major league hitters.

Sale is here to lead the Red Sox on that “win-now” quest, a journey that needs to include at least one World Series appearance for Dombrowski’s gamble to move from an on-paper slam-dunk to a real-life victory lap. And this afternoon at a brand-new ballpark in West Palm Beach, Fla., called The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches, we all get to watch The Ace of the Red Sox and his funky, long-limbed delivery go to work for the first time in a Red Sox uniform.

After a spring training that seems to have been going on and on since the day after the Super Bowl, this counts as the true starting point.

The other games to date have been warmup acts.

The gate has opened.

Welcome to the main event.

His name is Chris Sale.

“Just being around (Sale), the work that he’s put in, he’s probably thinking, ‘Darn, I’ve been here a month and still yet to get on the mound,’ ” manager John Farrell said before yesterday’s 11-1 victory against the Atlanta Braves at JetBlue Park. “All by design. But I know (today) has been growing with some anticipation for him. It’ll be all business as we’ve seen his other work sessions become or witness.”

Red Sox fans simply have not seen or heard that much from Sale. He’s only faced the Red Sox 10 times, those 160 plate appearances translating into a .203 batting average and .533 OPS against and a 0.992 WHIP.

Sale is more Porcello than Price in his ability to keep the noise and static from interfering with his world view. He is the all-business type, near nasty and ultra-competitive and intense on the mound in the step-on- your-throat aura that the very best, like Roger Clemens and Pedro Martinez, specialized in as well.

See what I’m driving at here?

Sale may be an unknown commodity around here at this very moment. We have yet to memorize his footwork, his windup, the uncoiling of his scarily thin limbs, the landing and the pitches themselves. This is a pitcher who checks off all the boxes that you want checked off in an ace.

Basically, he’s the best there is. OK, so maybe Clayton Kershaw is really the best there is. But Sale? He’s in the conversation for second-best.

How often does that happen in Red Sox history?

“He takes on an attitude of a competitor when he walks to the mound,” Farrell said. “We would expect that to be the case (today). I know he’s been looking forward to (today) for probably the last two or three weeks.”

Sale was traded to the Red Sox exactly three months to the day today.

For three months, we’ve been heralding the Sale trade, applauding the vision behind the trade, cautioning about the future cost and mostly twiddling our thumbs through the winter and an early spring training.

Today, the wait ends.

Today, Sale throws a baseball for the Red Sox.

Can’t wait.

* The Providence Journal

Red Sox backing off Tyler Thornburg for the time being

Tim Britton

FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Red Sox are backing off Tyler Thornburg this week as the reliever is battling both his mechanics and what he called "a dead-arm period."

"I've thrown a lot of pitches in both outings, so I'm taking a little bit of time off to just recover from that," Thornburg said on Saturday. "There's no real point in trying to rush it right now. I'm just trying to get it back to feeling good on a daily basis. I'm going to try to build the arm strength up a little bit so once I do that, I can really concentrate on mechanics."

Boston had already bumped Thornburg from game action to a side session this weekend. They pushed that session back to Tuesday, with the right-hander working on flat ground instead on Sunday.

"It's been more timing in his delivery. He's out of sync right now," manager John Farrell said Sunday morning. "His body is drifting to the plate too quickly. You see a number of pitches left up of the strike zone up to his arm-side."

Thornburg has allowed nine runs (seven earned) on seven hits while recording just four outs this spring. That's not entirely unusual for a pitcher who has consistently struggled in spring training, and he himself has not been concerned about the results.

"I don't like getting after it arm-wise in the beginning of camp just because I learned early on that it's hard to work uphill," he said. "If I'm ready March 1, that's a month more to the season, especially when I'm already planning on adding another month onto the season. For me, it's trying to get ready at the right time instead of being ready too early.

"Being on a new team, you always want to make a great first impression. At the same time, I don't want it to be at the expense of me trying to get ready too early. I've had such bad springs where going into the year the coaches may be nervous, and then I just tend to always do really well in April anyway."

April has traditionally been one of Thornburg's best months, as he owns a 2.67 ERA in April games over the course of his career.

Time spent in independent ball keeps journey in perspective for Robby Scott

Tim Britton

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Until his major-league call-up last September, the most exciting moment of Robby Scott's professional career came when he was prematurely taken out of a game by Jose Canseco.

It was 2011 and Scott was a member of the Yuma Scorpions, a team in the independent North America Baseball League. After one inning of his spot start, Scott had impressed a Red Sox scout in attendance enough to merit a professional contract. And so Canseco, his manager, delivered the good news as Scott warmed for the second.

"I've got to take you out," Canseco said. As Scott protested, Canseco cut him off. "The Red Sox just purchased your contract. They want you off the field."

"I've never given the ball up so easily," Scott remembered. "'All right, here!' and I ran off the field."

Scott's experience in independent ball, even though it lasted all of three weeks, informs his perspective now, as he attempts to make his first Opening Day roster.

"You hear about all these guys who go and play indy ball, and it's the end of their careers; nothing ever comes of it," he said. "So I'm just grateful for the opportunity of being here now."

One of Scott's mottos for himself is to make the most of every opportunity. He did that when the Red Sox first signed him, he did it throughout last year to earn a big-league call-up, and he's doing it again this spring to merit serious consideration for the roster.

"He's very much in [the mix for Opening Day] right now," manager John Farrell said Friday, two days after he indicated Scott's fellow left-hander Fernando Abad had to work for his roster spot.

That career of opportunism was born in what we'll politely call unorthodox circumstances. Like Jose Canseco, manager and mentor.

"Quite contrary to popular belief, Jose was actually an unbelievable guy. Being straight out of college and going straight into independent ball and a locker room full of much older guys than what I was, he kind of took me under his wing," Scott said. "He didn't just throw me out to the fire. He wanted to get my feet wet and work my way into it.

"After about the first week and a half, he pulled me into his office — actually we were on the road, we were playing in Maui — and said, 'Dude, we're going to get you out of here. You don't belong in independent ball.'"

Playing in Maui? Indeed, the 10 teams in the NABL stretched from Lake County, Illinois just outside Chicago to the Hawaiian islands, where you'd play a 10-game series. Scott didn't mind being on that trip. After all, it was better than Edmonton — where the Scorpions had to go later in the season.

"Since then, the league has actually folded, and I can see why," Scott said. "The travel was just absolutely ridiculous."

* The Springfield Republican

Sam Travis seems too serious, but Boston Red Sox teammates love him and his comical side

Christopher Smith

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Sam Travis seems so serious. Perhaps too serious?

You hardly ever see him smile as he walks around the clubhouse here at JetBlue Park. He's often carrying one of his bats.

He's extremely professional during interviews. He tells reporters about how he doesn't care if he goes 0-for- 4, as long as the Red Sox win.

His main focus clearly is baseball. He watches TV in his spare time. A lot of TV.

"Well, yeah, if I'm not watching baseball," Travis said, almost cracking a smile during an interview with MassLive.com on Sunday.

He enjoys the premium channels, HBO, Showtime and STARZ. He also watches Netflix.

"I've seen like everything. You name it, I've seen it," said Travis, whose favorite show right now is Showtime's Homeland.

Pressed on if he has any other hobbies (and even given a few examples of potential hobbies), Travis replied, "No, I just go rest up and get ready for tomorrow."

Does another side to the 23-year-old Travis exist? A less serious side?

Travis, who's returning from an ACL injury this year, is likely to make his major league debut at some point in 2017. And he'll likely be the starting first baseman on Opening Day 2018.

The 6-foot, 208-pound right-handed hitter went 1-for-2 with an RBI double in the Red Sox's 11-1 win over the Atlanta Braves Sunday. He's 4-for-12 with one home run, three doubles, three RBIs, three walks and two runs in Grapefruit League action.

He's an exciting prospect. Most every ranking has him No. 4 in the Red Sox system behind Andrew Benintendi, Rafael Devers and Jason Groome.

His teammates love him. And Red Sox fans likely will love him soon enough. He's a dirt dog type.

"He's the type of baseball player you call a grinder," said catcher Jordan Procyshen who has played with Travis in the minors. "He's hard-nosed every single play. And people feed off of that."

Dan Butler, who played with Travis for about two months last year at Triple-A Pawtucket before Travis' season-ending ACL injury, said the first baseman is serious, but also has a funny side reporters don't necessarily see.

"He's actually quite comical," Butler said. "Some of the stuff he comes up with is pretty funny."

Although, some of Travis' serious personality might also be part of what makes him so comical to teammates.

"Every time he hits a ball hard he shows that emotion," Butler said. "And he does it on the opposite end. When he doesn't get the result he's looking for, he'll say something like, 'That ball should have been crushed.' Or 'That guy got lucky.' Or something like that. He's definitely got the emotion behind it. It's kind of comical some of the stuff he says. We always give him a hard time. But it's a guy like that we all kind of all feed off in the dugout."

He's extremely competitive and extremely talented. The ball jumps off his bat. It did Sunday when he stroked his double.

"You should see some of the balls he hits," Butler said. "He's got that mentality that it doesn't matter who's on the mound. It doesn't matter who the pitcher is. It doesn't matter anything. It's about him beating (the pitcher). It's that one-on-one competition you can tell he strives for."

But does Travis ever actually smile?

"He's completely locked in when he's talking to you guys (the media)," Butler said, smiling himself. "It's the one-on-one competition with you guys, too. He's a competitor with everything he does."

Travis was a Red Sox 2014 second-round draft pick out of Indiana University.

The Red Sox selected pitcher Chandler Shepherd in the same draft and both Shepherd and Travis played together at Short Season Lowell in 2014.

"He's got that loose side to him but he takes his job very serious," Shepherd said.

Shepherd said Travis "eats, sleeps and everything baseball." It's his main focus in life.

"That's it," Shepherd said. "He's one of the hardest workers I've ever seen because he knows where he wants to be. He knows his potential and he's one of, if not, the best teammate I've ever played with -- ever in my life."

Shepherd, who played against Travis in college, said he's sure most people would say the same thing about the first baseman.

"He's really good at making everyone else on the team feel good about themselves, whether you're having a good day or bad day," Shepherd said. "Whether he's having a good day or bad day, he's the same guy. Always. That says a lot about a person if they can do that."

There's a chance the Red Sox could ease his transition to the majors at some point during 2017, having him platoon at first base with Mitch Moreland while giving Hanley Ramirez the full-time DH role.

Travis said he feels he shows a lot of emotion on the field.

"I think I do, for sure," he said. "Just because I love playing. And I love winning. And I think in that sense, yeah, I show a lot of emotion."

For someone who loves baseball so much, it's not surprising he spends his down time watching a lot of TV. He's the type who just wants to go back home, rest and get ready for the next day at work, at the ballpark.

"Just go back and chill," said Travis whose Twitter handle is @DoctorChill6.

His Twitter avatar has a photo of him actually smiling while in his Red Sox uniform.

"Sam's a serious guy," Procyshen said. "He has a goal in mind and he's going to reach it. Obviously, everybody's human. But he's one of the most serious guys I've been around. But he's a lot of fun to play with. He's a great teammate. Off the field, he's the same type of guy."

No wonder the Red Sox like this kid so much. He's going to be a big hit with Red Sox fans.

Red Sox starting rotation: Steven Wright, Drew Pomeranz on track to begin season in rotation

Christopher Smith

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Steven Wright (shoulder) and Drew Pomeranz (forearm) were scheduled to throw light bullpens Sunday. The next step for both is to throw live batting practice Wednesday here at the JetBlue Park complex.

"And then hopefully at that point we're looking at mapping out innings in a game five days following the live BP," Red Sox manager John Farrell said.

That would put both on schedule to pitch in a spring training game March 13.

Both Wright and Pomeranz are on track to begin the year in the starting rotation if they remain on schedule and don't experience setbacks.

"We would still be able to map them out to 85 to 90 pitches by April 2," Farrell said.

That's good news as David Price (elbow/forearm strain) could begin the year on the disabled list.

Price, who returned from his visit with Dr. James Andrews and Dr. Neal ElAttrache on Friday, will be reevaluated in 7-10 days. That's not the timetable for when Price will begin throwing again. Farrell said Price needs to be "symptom-free" before throwing.

Kyle Kendrick spins four hitless innings as he makes case for Red Sox depth starter

Jen McCaffrey

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Kyle Kendrick took a step in the right direction on Sunday.

The 32-year-old right-hander spun four hitless innings in an 11-1 win over the Atlanta Braves.

It marked his best start to date with the Red Sox.

Kendrick, a nine-year major-league veteran, signed a minor-league deal with the club this offseason, in part, to work with pitching guru Brian Bannister and get his career back on track.

He's seeing some early results.

The righty allowed one baserunner on a walk to lead off the third, but erased him on a double play from the next batter.

"Pitched to contact, put the ball on the ground, that's when he's at his best," manager John Farrell said of Kendrick's start. "Uses his defense well and we made some very good plays behind him today but as we expected when he came into camp, he came as advertised, and that's throw the ball over the plate with some sink and some late cut action."

The first batter of the game reached on an error by shortstop Deven Marrero, but catcher Christian Vazquez wiped him out with a rocket of a throw to catch him stealing.

Kendrick retired the next five straight before the walk in the third.

"Physically I feel great, happy where I'm at, just got to keep doing what I'm doing," Kendrick said.

He was most pleased with his changeup on Sunday.

"Last game (the changeup) wasn't very good in the bullpen, last couple of days wasn't very good," he said. "Made an adjustment on that and it was better today. was moving, which was nice, went down, got some groundballs."

Kendrick is expected to join the Triple-A Pawtucket rotation to add to the club's starting depth.

"I think you're always looking for a veteran guy to have at your beck and call if the need arises," Farrell said. "His fit here is for a purpose and a reason."

Kendrick is realistic about his role on the club, and his hoping with each successive outing to prove his worth.

"I understand the position that I'm in," he said. "Results kind of do matter for me, so I just want to go out there and show them that I'm healthy, that's the main thing and throw well, put up some good results."

Christian Vazquez, Boston Red Sox catcher, shows off cannon arm, 'lightning quick' feet in win

Christopher Smith

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Red Sox catcher Christian Vazquez threw out Atlanta's Micah Johson by about five feet here Sunday at JetBlue Park.

Johnson reached on shortstop Deven Marrero's error to begin the game. He tried to steal second base but the play wasn't even close.

The Red Sox won 11-1 over the Braves in Grapefruit League action.

Red Sox manager John Farrell agreed it was as good of a throw as he has seen from Vazquez since the catcher returned from Tommy John surgery last season.

"His feet are lightning quick," Farrell said. "You could see the pick (attempt) at first base today. The throw to second base on a guy that's a good baserunner, a speedy baserunner with a good jump. The carry and the accuracy is approaching pre-surgery. So a very good day for Christian defensively, for sure."

Vazquez threw out 52 percent (15-of-29) of base stealers in 2014 pre-surgery. But he was at 35 percent (8- for-23) when he returned last year.

"You look at just the play unfold, that's exactly what Christian has done in the past and it's great to see a day for him behind the plate as he showed," Farrell said.

Vazquez went 0-for-3 on Sunday. He's 2-for-10 with a double and RBI so far this spring.

Tyler Thornburg struggling on the mound for Red Sox, working through timing issues

Jen McCaffrey

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Tyler Thornburg has not looked good in his first two outings with the Red Sox.

The right-handed reliever has allowed nine runs, seven earned, in just 1 2/3 innings.

"His arm is late. The delivery is not in sync. You see a number of pitches up," manager John Farrell said after Thornburg's most recent outing. "The feel for his secondary stuff is not where it will be."

Instead of working through the issues during games, the Red Sox have opted to hold him out for now with work on flat ground and then in bullpen sessions.

Thornburg threw on flat ground Sunday and will likely throw a bullpen on Tuesday before getting back into games later this week.

"It's been more timing in his delivery," Farrell said. "His body is drifting to the plate too quick, you see a number of pitches left up of the strike zone up to his arm-side. To see him hit a guy the other day with a changeup, that just says his timing right now needs a lot of work."

Thornburg has had rough spring trainings in the past, but turned out fine during the regular season. Last spring he posted a 10.24 ERA over 9 2/3 innings but a 2.15 ERA over 67 appearances for the Brewers.

Though it's a trend Thornburg has displayed throughout his career, it's something the Red Sox want to tackle sooner than later.

Is Fernando Abad jeopardizing a roster spot with the Red Sox by pitching in the World Baseball Classic?

Jen McCaffrey

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Fernando Abad is not a lock for the Red Sox Opening Day roster.

Nevertheless, the lefty left the club Tuesday to pitch for Team Dominican in the World Baseball Classic.

Through four appearances for the Red Sox this spring, Abad has been inconsistent posting two scoreless innings, but allowing four runs in his other two outings.

The Red Sox typically carry two lefties in the bullpen and Robbie Ross will have one of those two spots. The other job will likely come to Abad and Robby Scott.

"You love the fact that his country looks upon him as a guy to contribute for the WBC," manager John Farrell said. "He's pitched four times; there's been early-camp mixed results, which are not uncommon. But in those positions of competing for a spot, you'd like to think that a guy's going to be here to make that mark here. He's aware of his status on the roster competing for a spot. When he returns, it's constant evaluating that's going on."

Last season, Abad posted a 6.39 ERA over 18 appearances for Boston following a mid-season trade from Minnesota for prospect .

Scott, meanwhile, impressed in his time with the club at the end of the season and Farrell has liked what he's seen so far this spring.

"He's looked good," Farrell said. "Always in spring training you're looking at how guys handle certain situations. He was thrown right in the mix of it right away. His ability to stay composed, compete, make pitches, he's done a very good job of that."

In three appearances, Scott has tossed three scoreless frames, allowing two hits and two walks while striking out three.

If Abad is trying to prove his value to the team, he won't be able to do so while with Team Dominican.

Rafael Devers, Boston Red Sox prospect, is an exciting hitter but how about his defense at 3B?

Christopher Smith

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Andrew Benintendi technically still is the Boston Red Sox's top prospect because his rookie status remains intact heading into 2017.

But Rafael Devers is Boston's top prospect who actually will begin the 2017 season in the minor leagues.

We know he's an exciting hitter. The 20-year-old, who Baseball America ranked the No. 18 MLB prospect on its pre-2017 top 100, has batted .293 with a .348 on-base percentage, .457 , .805 OPS, 29 homers, 87 doubles, 14 triples and 198 RBIs in 313 minor league games so far.

The left-handed hitter is expected to begin this year at Double-A Portland. His SoxProspects.com scouting report states, "Plus-to-better power potential (30 home runs)."

But how is he as a defender.

He's a big kid. He's listed at 6-foot, 234-pounds in the Red Sox media guide. He's not heavy but it looks like he still needs to get his body in a little better shape.

That said, he's mobile third baseman. One person who watched High-A Salem play quite a bit last year told me recently Devers made some few top-notch plays.

He did lead Carolina League third baseman in fielding percentage (.960), total chances (377), putouts (104) and assists (258). He ranked second in double plays (19).

Red Sox manager John Farrell has been impressed with him both offensively and defensively.

"He's made a couple good plays here of late as well, whether it's been ranging to his glove-side. He makes a headlong dive on a ball that he stops for (a) potential extra-base hit with the bases loaded," Farrell said before Sunday's game here at JetBlue Park. "Having seen him now over the course of a week and a half of games, he runs better than I anticipated. He gets down the line good.

"He's a good-looking young player," Farrell added. "He's got good hands. He's got good bat control. He's got good plate coverage. Drives the ball to all fields. We saw it over at Atlanta the other day. Drove a ball up against the left field wall. He's not, I think, your typical 20-year-old with his ability to handle pitches in different parts of the plate."

David Price injury: What will lefty do during time down? Won't throw until 'symptom-free'

Christopher Smith

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- David Price has said he knows it will be a story if he doesn't begin throwing in 7-10 days but it shouldn't be one.

Price won't need surgery or a PRP injection, Dr. James Andrews and Dr. Neal ElAttrache determined after reviewing the MRI of his elbow/forearm and giving the Red Sox lefty an examination.

Price will be reevaluated in 7-10 days. That's not the timetable for when Price will begin throwing again.

Red Sox manager John Farrell said here Sunday at JetBlue Park that Price needs to be "symptom-free" before throwing.

"And while that is nearing, I think we want to do what's right by David and not circumvent or shortcut the initial rest period," Farrell said. "He may feel like he's chomping at the bit to put a ball back in his hand. But we have to acknowledge that he came in sore, this has been the recommendation from the doctors and let's adhere to it."

Price is on medicine. He still will work out over the next 7-10 days before being reevaluated.

"He still does his conditioning," Farrell said. "It's range of motion. There's going to be light strengthening as permissible. I guess that's a way to describe it. No throwing for those days. And I know David is probably feeling better today than he has yesterday. All those are encouraging signs. But there's going to be range of motion, light strengthening. The cardio and the conditioning from a general standpoint continues until we put a ball back in his hand."

* RedSox.com

All eyes on Sale for Red Sox debut

Ian Browne

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The day Chris Sale has envisioned for three months finally happens on Monday.

That is when the lanky left-hander will pitch his first game for the Red Sox, a Grapefruit League contest in West Palm Beach against the Astros that can be heard on MLB Gameday Audio at 1:05 p.m. ET.

"I think I was ready on Dec. 7. I've been preparing for this," said Sale. "Very exciting. Now we're getting more into playing real baseball and not throwing off a side mound in simulation or anything like that. I'm excited, it'll be fun and I'm throwing against Houston so we'll go see the new ballpark. It'll be nice."

"Just being around him, the work that he's put in, he's probably thinking, 'Darn, I've been here a month and still yet to get on the mound.' That's all by design," said Red Sox manager John Farrell. "But I know tomorrow has been growing with some anticipation for him. I know he's been looking forward to tomorrow for probably the last two or three weeks."

The addition of Sale gives the Red Sox another star at the top of the rotation to go along with reigning American League Cy Young Award winner Rick Porcello and left-hander David Price.

With the possibility -- if not the likelihood -- looming that Price will open the season on the disabled list with a left forearm injury, there should be even more focus on Sale.

Though Monday isn't as big of a game as the ones Sale will pitch starting in April, don't expect any less intensity from him.

"It'll be all business as we've seen his other work sessions become," said Farrell. "He takes on an attitude of a competitor when he walks to the mound. We would expect that to be the case tomorrow."

Moreland's Gold Glove a welcome addition

Ian Browne

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- An infield drill had just ended on one of the back fields at Fenway South a couple of days ago, when a spontaneous chalk talk session started between two of the best at their crafts.

Mitch Moreland won an American League Gold Glove Award last season for his defensive excellence at first base. There are no such trophies for coaches, otherwise Red Sox infield instructor Brian Butterfield would have a case full of them.

This is Moreland's first season with the Red Sox, and it gives him the opportunity to join Butterfield, who has built a strong reputation for his work with infielders over his 38 years in . "We've definitely bounced stuff off of each other," said Moreland. "We talk about what I like, what he likes. It's been a fun few weeks and I think we can get a lot accomplished."

It was hard to hear exactly what Butterfield and Moreland were saying to each other during their chalk talk, but the enthusiasm from both was evident via the hand gestures and defensive stances that ensued.

"He was asking me questions on things that I teach on first-base play," said Butterfield. "And it grew into, 'I want to know what you believe in and what you've been taught and how you would teach.' He's very knowledgeable. He's been around good people. He gladly took the floor and he showed me some of the things he tries to live by defensively. It was really beneficial to me to hear that point of view because most of the first basemen that I've had over the last 20 years have been right-handed."

As good as both of them have been, the union could make Moreland a better defender and Butterfield a better coach.

"I've spent a lot of time over there with him just kind of talking, trying to get a little bit of a game plan together to go through the season," said Moreland. "It's great. He's always picking you up, always trying to help you get better day in and day out. I've already asked him about two or three things. I'm looking forward to spending the full season with him and seeing what we can get done."

After the first full-squad workout of Spring Training, Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts offered an unprompted "Wow" when talking about what it was like to throw to Moreland in drills.

"I think that Mitch has gained a great appreciation from his teammates by the way he goes about his work on a daily basis," said Butterfield. "It's funny going around the diamond and talking to all the other infielders, how appreciative they are of a guy that works like that and is able to handle himself around the base.

"He's just a baseball player. Everywhere I go, he's received rave reviews from his teammates as far as the person he is, the preparer, the teammate. The conversations we've had already are just above and beyond."

To Butterfield, it says something about Moreland that he still has such a thirst to get better, even as he comes off his first career AL Gold Glove Award.

"So cool," Butterfield said. "Every day he wants to be on top of what we're doing team defense-wise. He asks questions. He's a willing contributor to anything he may have that will make us better. Those kind of guys are worth their weight in gold. We're trying to absorb his knowledge as much as what we're watching."

Kendrick, Benintendi, Betts lead Sox vs. ATL

Ian Browne and Maureen Mullen

FORT MYERS, FLA. -- Veteran non-roster invitee Kyle Kendrick fired four no-hit innings to help lead the Red Sox to an 11-1 victory over the Braves on Sunday afternoon at JetBlue Park.

The 32-year-old Kendrick, who has made 212 career starts, is likely to start the season at Triple-A Pawtucket. But with performances like this one, he is putting himself in position to be one of the first starters the Red Sox call up if a need arises. Kendrick has a 3.00 ERA in three Grapefruit League outings.

"I understand the position that I'm in," said Kendrick. "Results kind of do matter for me, so I just want to go out there and show them that I'm healthy -- that's the main thing. And throw well, put up some good results. That's kind of where I'm at, and it's kind of what I have to do."

Andrew Benintendi, MLB Pipeline's No. 1 prospect, went 2-for-3 with a double. Benintendi's latest strong showing came two days after a 4-for-4 performance on the road against the Braves. Mookie Betts added a sacrifice fly and an RBI double. Dustin Pedroia went 1-for-2 and scored a run.

Right-hander Mike Foltynewicz, the front-runner to be Atlanta's No. 5 starter, allowed two hits and a run over three innings. Catcher Kurt Suzuki produced an RBI single for the Braves.

"The first two innings, they were kind of a big blur. A lot of things happened real fast," Foltynewicz said. "But I got the chance to work out of some jams there and work around some errors, which you might need to do during the season. But I think I did a pretty good job of that."

"It was just good to see how he limited some damage," said Braves manager Brian Snitker. " [He] went to his secondary stuff well, I thought. It was good. That's really good to see with him, how he doesn't go harder, harder. He kept pitching, and he pitched his way through that."

Braves Up Next: The Braves have their first off-day of the spring on Monday. They travel to Bradenton on Tuesday to face the Pirates at 1:05 p.m. ET, in a game available on MLB.TV. Left-hander Jaime Garcia is scheduled to make his second appearance of the spring. He gave up one run in two innings in his spring debut on March 1 against the Yankees.

Red Sox Up Next: Lefty Chris Sale will get his first game action for the Red Sox in Monday's 1:05 p.m. ET contest in West Palm Beach against the Astros, in a game available via Gameday Audio. It is the first of three games on the East Coast of Florida for Boston. Sandy Leon, Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval will be in the starting lineup behind Sale, who was traded to the Red Sox in a blockbuster trade in December.

Wright, Pomeranz nearing spring debuts

Ian Browne

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Look for right-hander Steven Wright and left-hander Drew Pomeranz to make their first outings of Spring Training on March 13, either at Dunedin against the Blue Jays or in a Minor League game.

Both pitchers have gone at a slower pace this spring due to the injuries they are coming back from. Pomeranz had left elbow fatigue and soreness late in 2016, while Wright missed most of the last two months of the season with bursitis in his right shoulder.

Pomeranz and Wright will throw their second live batting practice sessions of camp on Wednesday, positioning them to start five days later.

Red Sox manager John Farrell said that if they can both stay on schedule, they should be ready to open the season in the starting rotation. This takes on more importance now that David Price is sidelined indefinitely with left forearm soreness.

"We'd still be able to map them out to 85-90 pitches by April 2," Farrell said.

WORTH NOTING • New setup man Tyler Thornburg, who struggled mightily (1 1/3 innings, 7 ER) in his first two Grapefruit League outings, will do some extra work on the side before getting back into a game. Thornburg has a history of struggling in Spring Training, but he has looked particularly out of sync in his first two outings for the Red Sox.

"He's going to throw [on] a little flat ground today," said Farrell. "We're going to get a bullpen in, likely on Tuesday before we look to get him back in a game later next week. It's been more [about] timing in his delivery. He's out of sync right now. His body is drifting to the plate too quick -- you see a number of pitches left up in the strike zone up to his arm-side. To see him hit a guy the other day with a changeup, that just says his timing right now needs a lot of work."

• Though the Red Sox weren't going to hold Fernando Abad back in his desire to pitch for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic, it does complicate the lefty reliever's challenge of winning a spot in the bullpen. Robbie Ross Jr. and Robby Scott are the two other southpaws in the bullpen.

"You love the fact that his country looks upon him as a guy to contribute for the World Baseball Classic," said Farrell. "He's pitched four times; there's been early-camp mixed results, which are not uncommon. But in those positions of competing for a spot, you'd like to think that a guy's going to be here to make that mark here. He's aware of his status on the roster competing for a spot. When he returns, it's constant evaluating that's going on."

• Wondering why first-base coach Ruben Amaro has been coaching third base while Brian Butterfield has been in the dugout during games? Butterfield is still recovering from right knee replacement surgery he had during the offseason, and he had a left knee replacement a couple of years ago. The goal is for Butterfield to coach third for the final week of Grapefruit League games, in order for him to be ready for the start of the season. Pawtucket manager John Boles has been coaching first.

"Ruben has done a great job," said Farrell. "For never having coached third base, his decisions have been good. I think it's been great exposure, great experience for him."

Vazquez's laser arm at full strength

Ian Browne

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Braves leadoff man Micah Johnson has good speed and seemed to have a good jump when he tried to steal second base, just moments into Sunday's eventual 11-1 loss to the Red Sox.

But that was when Boston catcher Christian Vazquez displayed that his arm is finally back to full strength, nearly two years after he had Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.

It was the type of throw that used to be a habit for Vazquez -- the laser down to second that nailed Johnson by about five feet.

"The carry and the accuracy is approaching pre-surgery," said Red Sox manager John Farrell. "A very good day for Christian defensively for sure."

An even more telling play took place in the third, when Vazquez made one of his patented snap pickoff throws to first and appeared to nail Austin Riley. If it had been a regular-season game, Farrell likely would have called for a replay challenge. At this point, everyone around the Red Sox is just happy to see Vazquez displaying that form again.

"His feet are lightning quick," said Farrell. "You could see the pick at first base. When you look at just the play unfold, that's exactly what Christian has done in the past. It's great to see a day for him behind the plate as he showed."

Sandy Leon, Vazquez and Blake Swihart are in a battle for the two catching spots on the roster. Vazquez has no options remaining, which probably gives him an advantage over Swihart, who can be sent down.

As Farrell said earlier this week, "Christian Vazquez is never going to slip through waivers." For Vazquez, it's very easy to differentiate this spring from a year ago.

"Throwing," said Vazquez. "That's the biggest difference between last year and this year. My arm feels a lot better. I'm strong. I feel great."

* ESPNBoston.com

If baseball doesn't work out for Mookie Betts, there's always pro bowling

Scott Lauber

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Mookie Betts leaned forward in a chair and waited his turn to bowl. It was down to him and actor J.T. "Action" Jackson in the shootout portion of the Chris Paul Celebrity Invitational, and Betts oozed confidence from every pore.

"You better strike," Betts hollered. "You better strike."

Jackson has competed on the Professional Bowlers Association tour, making him something of a ringer on this night in January at Lucky Strike in downtown Los Angeles. Here, though, in the decisive 10th frame, he rolled a 7. Jackson was toast -- and he knew it before Betts even stood up.

Betts clapped his hands together, then wriggled his middle and ring fingers into a purple and black ball. He swung his right arm back, angled his left shoulder to face the pins and unleashed a shot so perfect he didn't need to watch it. Betts extended his arms and, gold chain hanging from his neck, walked off the lane as all 10 pins fell, just as Larry Bird looked away as he swished the winning shot in the 1988 NBA 3-point contest.

"He knew he aced it," veteran pro bowler Sean Rash recalled by phone. "He knew it was going to hit the pocket. He knew it was going to win the event. It was funny. It was great for television."

So great, in fact, that the PBA wishes Betts would go on tour permanently.

Not after last season, when the 24-year-old Red Sox right fielder was the best player in the American League not named Mike Trout. And certainly not with Betts' first gargantuan payday approaching next year, when he becomes eligible for arbitration and could see his annual salary skyrocket toward $10 million.

Betts' hands whip through the hitting zone at the speed of light. He covers so much ground in the outfield that you'd never guess he was an infielder until two years ago. The personality that he doesn't often reveal in interviews comes through on the field, from his creativity in the Red Sox's congratulatory outfield dances ("the Carlton?") to sprinkling an imaginary pinch of salt after his first spring training hit last week.

But it's Betts' face that baseball really needs. And at a time when the sport is looking for young stars to replace recently retired Derek Jeter, David Ortiz and Alex Rodriguez, Betts' smile is measured in megawatts.

Indeed, Markus Lynn Betts -- yes, his initials really do spell out "MLB" -- is the perfect player around which the league can market itself.

But Betts could easily be the face of bowling, too. No offense to Walter Ray Williams Jr., Pete Weber, Norm Duke and other accomplished PBA veterans, but bowling and baseball have a similar problem, specifically an aging fan base and a perception that the sport isn't, well, cool.

"We need to introduce bowling to a different demographic, and usually younger is what we're most interested in," PBA commissioner Tom Clark said. "It's really important to us to have people understand that [bowling] is cool, and Mookie is cool. He's one of the best players in baseball. He's young and he's hip and he's engaging. When you see him standing there at a bowling event, and he's with pro bowlers, tell me bowling isn't cool."

Paul, the Los Angeles Clippers point guard, has been associated with the PBA for several years, hosting his annual event for charity. But although the nine-time NBA All-Star enjoys the sport, he's much more of a recreational bowler than Betts, who has serious game.

Betts grew up in alleys, trailing his mother to various league events in suburban Nashville, and averaged a 240 score at John Overton High School. If not for the fact he batted .549 as a junior and .509 as a senior, he might have prioritized bowling over baseball.

"He's one of the best players in baseball. He's young and he's hip and he's engaging. When you see him standing there at a bowling event and he's with pro bowlers, tell me bowling isn't cool." PBA commissioner Tom Clark

Betts still bowls with his mom, Diana Benedict, in the offseason and practices in the two-lane alley in the basement of 19-year-old Wichita State phenom Kamron Doyle's parents' home in nearby Brentwood, Tennessee. There's even a rivalry brewing between Betts and Red Sox ace David Price, who claims to have beat Betts at least once this winter.

Never mind that Betts has not yet played in baseball's World Series. With the Red Sox's permission, he competed in the 2015 PBA World Series of Bowling in Reno, Nevada.

It was hardly a publicity stunt. Other celebrities, including former NFL wide receiver Terrell Owens, have been invited to bowl in PBA events and were exposed as amateurs. But Betts rolled a 224 in his first game and had scores of 245 and 249 later in the tournament. He averaged 196 over nine games and finished 212th out of 240 bowlers.

"I just didn't want to step on any toes," Betts said. "I knew I was there to bowl, too, and I felt like I was good enough to maybe not compete but at least be out there. But I wanted to make sure I didn't get in anybody's way that was actually legit going to win the tournament."

Said Tommy Jones, an 18-time PBA title winner who has earned more than $1.6 million on tour: "He was always asking, 'Is this OK if I do this?' That was cool. We just told him, 'Go relax, have fun,' and I think he did."

Now, Betts might be poised to host his own PBA celebrity tournament.

Clark said he has put Betts and Benedict in touch with Paul's family to discuss a potential spin-off event. Regardless, Betts has a standing invitation to come on tour with the PBA and said he would have returned to the World Series of Bowling last December if he hadn't had arthroscopic knee surgery one month earlier.

"Oh yeah, I definitely would've done it," Betts said. "I've got to make that an annual thing now. I was a little mad I missed it this year, but my knee, that definitely comes first."

Baseball always comes first for Betts. But given his talent on the lanes, might we have a two-sport star in our midst?

"He's legit," Clark said. "If he worked on his game and could devote practice to it, he could be a legitimate contender in the Professional Bowlers Association."

"Yeah, for sure he could be," added Jones, who partnered with Betts to finish second in the team portion of Paul's event. "He's definitely got the ability, and he's got the mindset, too."

For now, Betts is content to mostly watch the PBA on television. Perhaps he will someday follow former Red Sox pitcher John Burkett, an avid bowler who joined the PBA's senior tour last year.

One thing is for sure: Bowling is never far from Betts' mind. When Jones took his family to Fenway Park last September for a Red Sox-Yankees game, Betts came over to say hello after batting practice.

"I hadn't seem him for probably six months, and the first thing he does is ask me how the new bowling balls are," Jones said. "He's just a regular guy that's in the spotlight in a spotlight town and plays for one of the best organizations in baseball, and I don't think it's really changed him. I'll shoot him a text, and he'll text me right back. That's pretty cool. He's having fun every day, whether it's baseball or bowling, and that's all it needs to be."

* CSNNE.com

Benintendi, Betts Help Red Sox Rout Braves

Henry McKenna

The Boston Red Sox put together a complementary performance during their 11-1 win over the Atlanta Braves on Sunday JetBlue Park at Fenway South.

The Sox took control early with a 3-0 lead in the fifth inning after starter Kyle Kendrick and reliever Heath Hembree allowed no hits to that point.

Andrew Benintendi went 2-of-3 with a pair of doubles. Mookie Betts also managed a double while hitting 1-of-2. Marco Hernandez went 2-of-3 with a 2-out RBI single.

But even after Robbie Ross Jr. allowed a run in the the sixth, Boston responded with an eight-run seventh inning with a series of RBI singles from Hernandez, Bryce Brentz, Allen Craig and RBI doubles from Sam Travis, Rusney Castillo and Tzu-Wei Lin.

Kendrick finished his four inning with no hits, one and one walk. He's got a 3.00 ERA during spring training. Noe Ramirez also had a solid inning, and struck out two. He worked with a group of relievers, including Brandon Workman and Luis Ysla, after Ross who allowed just one hit in three innnings.

Boston plays Monday at 1:05 p.m. against the Houston Astros on The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches.