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The Boston Red Sox Monday, March 12, 2018 * The Boston Globe Red Sox bench players have a chance to step up Peter Abraham FORT MYERS, Fla. — Marwin Gonzalez started games at five positions for the World Series champion Houston Astros last season. But to call him a bench player would be inaccurate. Gonzalez started 120 games, had 515 plate appearances, and finished fifth on the team with 4.3 WAR. That left a deep impression on Red Sox manager Alex Cora, who was Houston’s bench coach. He often talked to manager A.J. Hinch about how best to use Gonzalez to benefit other players on the roster. With Gonzalez as an option, Hinch was able to give Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, and other regulars extra days off. “Marwin, for me, he was the MVP of that team and that coaching staff,” Cora said Sunday. “That’s the way I see it. It’s an extra starter that you have, another card that you can use on a regular basis.” Now Cora is looking for his own version of Gonzalez, a super utility player who is essentially a starter. He wants to feel comfortable resting his starters with an eye on the postseason. Ideally, that player would be Eduardo Nunez over the long run. The infielder gave the Red Sox an offensive spark last season as a second baseman, shortstop, and third baseman. But Nunez will be starting at second base when the season begins, as Dustin Pedroia continues to recover from knee surgery. That could last two months into the season. For Brock Holt, Tzu-Wei Lin, Deven Marrero, and Blake Swihart, how Cora wants to use his roster has created opportunity. Swihart has impressed at the plate and offers the ability to catch, along with playing first base and left field. Lin is also getting a good look. The 24-year-old from Taiwan leads the Red Sox with 70 defensive innings in spring training. He has split time at second base, third base, shortstop, and center field. “Defensively, he’s a shortstop for a championship-caliber team,” Cora said. “I feel that way. That’s what caught my eye.” Lin came up as a shortstop, and that is where he’s most comfortable. But he is comfortable at third base and gaining confidence at second base and center field. “Second base is different because of the angles,” he said. “But I’m getting used to it.” Center field is still a learning experience. Lin first played there in 2016 with Double A Portland, then had 27 games last season for Portland and Triple A Pawtucket. “When the ball comes right at you, it’s hard to see sometimes,” he said. “I’m still not sure about center. But I’m trying.” Lin is better than he thinks. At least two scouts who have watched Lin play center field in spring training feel that could be his best position in time because of his athletic ability. Lin laughed when he heard that assessment. “I think I’m a better shortstop,” he said. “But I’m glad they feel that way.” That Lin is part of the conversation is a surprise, given where he was a year ago. A poor hitter in his first five professional seasons, he didn’t merit an invitation to major league spring training. But he hit .302 with an .870 OPS for Portland through 48 games and was promoted directly to the majors on June 24. In two stints with the Sox, Lin played second base, third base, and shortstop and hit .268. Lin believes the offensive surge was related to getting stronger physically and being encouraged to take more aggressive swings. “His at-bats are good; he controls his strike zone,” Cora said. Lin is 4 for 25 (.160) in 14 games this spring with six walks. That surprised Cora when he reviewed the stats. “You see the batting average, and you don’t see the same thing [on the field],” Cora said. “That’s a good sign, because he’s putting up quality at-bats. His confidence is getting bigger and bigger. We’re very happy with the way that he has played.” Lin also has fit into the clubhouse well, a product of learning English to a point that he does not need a translator anymore. “He’s a professional; people like him,” Cora said. “This guy is going to contribute. He’s a big leaguer.” Lin and his wife Kai-Li Jhu had their first child in September, a daughter named Shin-En. They are together for spring training. “Hopefully, I’ll be on the major league team,” Lin said. “The last year has been a big step.” Orioles get their hacks off Rick Porcello Peter Abraham SCORE: Orioles (ss) 7, Red Sox 3 RECORD: 8-8-1 BREAKDOWN: An Orioles split-squad had 13 hits, seven off Rick Porcello in four innings. Alex Presley had a two-run single in the fourth inning, and Ryan Mountcastle added a three-run homer in the ninth inning off Sox minor leaguer Dedgar Jimenez. Mookie Betts had a solo homer and two walks for the Red Sox. Hanley Ramirez went 2 for 3 with an RBI. After a 7-2 start in the Grapefruit League, the Sox have gone 1-6-1 since. They have 15 games remaining. THUMBS UP: Carson Smith struck out three of the four batters he faced in the fifth inning. He has worked five scoreless innings this spring with six strikeouts. Heath Hembree pitched a perfect sixth inning. THUMBS DOWN: Xander Bogaerts went 0 for 3 and struck out three times. He had been 9 of 18 with two strikeouts in his first eight games. MEDICAL REPORT: Brock Holt was drilled in the right elbow in the eighth inning and left the game. He will not play Monday as a precaution. AROUND THE BASES: Former Red Sox manager Joe Morgan, 87, was at the game and visited the press box beforehand. Baltimore outfielder Mike Yastrzemski, Carl’s grandson, entered the game in the seventh inning and had a single in the eighth. Yastrzemski, 27, is an Andover native who played for St. John’s Prep and Vanderbilt before the Orioles drafted him in 2013. The game drew a crowd of 9,880 NEXT GAME: The Sox head 145 miles north to play the Blue Jays in Dunedin on Monday. Hector Velazquez gets the start against J.A. Happ. The game is on WEEI-AM. Red Sox support Kimbrel with #LydiaStrong Peter Abraham FORT MYERS, Fla. — Lydia Joy Kimbrel, only four months old, is at Boston Children’s Hospital recovering from what is already the third heart surgery of her life. Lydia’s parents, Ashley and Craig, have been at the hospital every day for what is now nearly two weeks. On Sunday, the Red Sox let the family know they remain very much in their thoughts. Before the game against Baltimore, every player and coach wore a red T-shirt that read, “We are #LydiaStrong,” across the front in white letters. Robby Scott came up with the idea and had enough shirts made for everybody. Manager Alex Cora immediately approved. “Big fan of Lydia,” Cora said. “She’s a fighter. We keep praying, and our thoughts are with the Kimbrel family.” Craig Kimbrel left camp Feb. 28 to be with his family. He has been working out in Boston when possible and staying in touch with the team. “As a father, it’s something that you think about, and it’s like, wow, he’s going through this,” said Cora, who has four children. “But I think he has the support not only of this organization but of the fans. Everybody is pulling for her, and they’re going to be fine. She’s part of the family. “We need to take care of each other, and we’re doing that.” Lydia was born Nov. 3 with a congenital heart condition and had her first surgery four days later. There was a second procedure in December. Cora spoke to Kimbrel a few days ago. Lydia is doing better, but it’s uncertain when Kimbrel will return to camp. “We talked for like 25 minutes, and I think I was the Red Sox manager for five of them,” Cora said. “It’s not easy. But we’re here for them.” Kimbrel has been able to continue a throwing program indoors, and the Sox believe he is not too far off schedule. “If that’s not the case, I understand . we understand,” Cora said. “But he’s working. The other day he threw a bullpen. I think he hit 94 [miles per hour] that day.”’ Roster trimmed For his first time as a manager, Cora made some cuts. Lefthanders Jalen Beeks and Williams Jerez were optioned to Triple A Pawtucket, along with righthanders Ty Buttrey and Chandler Shepherd. Outfielder Jeremy Barfield, infielder Michael Chavis, righthander Kyle Martin, infielder Esteban Quiroz, catcher Austin Rei , and righthander Fernando Rodriguez were reassigned to minor league camp. The Sox now have 45 players in camp. “I had flashbacks when I got cut,” Cora said. “That was a learning experience.” It was a tough 24 hours for Beeks. He made an unexpected start against the Twins on Saturday, when the Sox changed their rotation because of rain. Beeks didn’t get an out and was charged with seven runs. Then he was demoted. Cora believes Beeks will pitch in the majors at some point given his ability to change speeds and willingness to pitch inside.

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