The 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 champion 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 , 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, , 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 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 . The infielder gave the Red Sox an offensive spark last season as a second baseman, , 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 , Tzu-Wei Lin, , and , 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 . 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 A Portland, then had 27 games last season for Portland and 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

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. 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 . pitched a perfect sixth inning.

THUMBS DOWN: 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 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 , righthander Kyle Martin, infielder Esteban Quiroz, 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.

“Everything that happened [Saturday], he kept fighting,” Cora said. “I was very pleased with what I saw throughout camp.”

Porcello’s progress Rick Porcello allowed two runs on four hits in the first inning Sunday against the Orioles, in part because the infield missed a chance to turn a double play. He then retired seven in a row after regaining command of his fastball.

Porcello nearly escaped further damage but allowed a two-run single by Alex Presley with two outs in the fourth. The ball wasn’t hit well, but it left Porcello charged with four runs on seven hits over four innings.

“Got to get better in the first inning for sure,” Porcello said. “Other than that, the rest of the game felt pretty good.”

Porcello had a 6.55 in the first inning last season and is working to correct that.

“I attribute a lot of what happened a year ago to failure to command the ball,” he said. “Even at this point in the spring, and the line I gave up today, I commanded the ball much better than I did at a lot of different points last year.”

Pitchers lined up Hector Velazquez will start Monday against the Blue Jays on Monday. The team is off Tuesday, but will stay on turn by pitching in a minor league scrimmage. starts Wednesday, with on Thursday, then Porcello on Friday. The rotation to start the season could well be Sale, Price, Porcello, Velazquez, and Johnson . . . is back on a throwing program after straining his flexor tendon March 2 but has not yet been cleared to start. Pomeranz is lined up to throw live batting practice later this week. “It’s a day-by-day thing with him,” Cora said . . . , Rusney Castillo, , Deven Marrero, Blake Swihart, Sam Travis, and Christian Vazquez are among the players on the travel roster for Monday’s game in Dunedin.

* The Boston Herald

Jimmy Fund kids get a break at Red Sox spring weekend

Chad Jennings

FORT MYERS — Geoffrey Goose has skipped a lot of school lately. He’s been late with homework, he’s missing basketball practice, and yes, he’s taking drugs.

This damn cancer is really messing up his sophomore year.

Goose’s hair falls out in the shower. He gets headaches and worries they’re a sign of something worse. With chemotherapy pills, IVs and steroids, he’s taking something like nine different medications each day.

“I think I’m just kind of in a blur where I’ve been spacing out a lot,” he said. “People will ask me, ‘Are you OK? Are you thinking (about it)?’ And I’m like, ‘No.’ I don’t think it’s caught up to me yet.”

Hard to catch up when it’s all so new. Goose, 16, from the South End, was diagnosed with stage II Hodgkin lymphoma two weeks ago, but he spent the weekend on a Jimmy Fund trip to spring training where he met Dustin Pedroia, got Jackie Bradley Jr. to sign a picture, and went on the field after Sunday’s game at JetBlue Park.

“So, getting cancer’s a good thing, now,” his friend Alfie Rudnick told him.

Perfect response. Just what Goose wanted to hear.

“Because you can laugh about it,” he said. “(Alfie’s) not worried about what he’s going to say. It’s just me. It’s just me with this thing now. And that’s what everyone here can bring because they’re meeting you as Geoffrey, not Geoffrey Who Now Has Cancer.”

Spearheaded by Lisa Scherber, joyfully known as the Jimmy Fund’s Play Lady, these outings are meant to bring patients together where the blur of cancer might go away for a bit.

Haley Ledbury got her Chris Sale jersey covered with autographs, including by Sale himself. Cameron Silvia caught a pitch from , then asked Kelly to throw another with more oomph. Stephen Tremblay asked Pedroia for his phone number, then asked if his sister could go on a date with David Price.

“I’m married!” Price said, cracking up.

The Jimmy Fund brought 42 kids — 21 girls and 21 boys — with a large group of doctors and nurses to take care of any problems that might arise. The problems seem more likely logistical than medical.

“We don’t have that perspective in the clinic,” Dr. Brian Crompton said. “You see them trying to get through (airport) security, or they’re trying to get out of a wheelchair to go to the bathroom, or trying to get up a giant staircase to go down a waterslide with a prosthetic leg. It’s a whole different ballgame.”

Goose’s whole new ballgame started with a cough that just wouldn’t go away. Doctors checked him for pneumonia and treated him for whooping cough. A pulmonologist ordered a chest X-ray, then told him to go to the oncology department.

Goose didn’t remember what oncology meant.

“In the elevator, my mom kind of gave me a look,” he said. “Like a ‘not good’ kind of thing. And then I broke down crying — which I hadn’t done in a few years — uncontrollably.”

It took basically a month of additional tests before the final diagnosis, and Goose said that period of uncertainty was the worst. His third week of treatment starts today, right after the late-night flight home.

“I used to think missing a day (of school) was the worst,” Goose said. “Now, I’m kind of missing a month. Now, I’m not worried about my homework. I’m worried about my end-of-the-year exam that I might not be taking. . . . Starting right with treatment, it was like a break, and then life pauses. I think, with the blur, it’s because life is paused.”

Not many people understand the pause, Goose said. His closest friends have been amazing, and even schoolmates he’s not particularly close to have sent messages of support. His bond with his parents, Jon and Barb, is as close as it’s ever been, a silver lining of this whole ordeal.

But this weekend was a welcome break, and Goose said it wasn’t because of the Red Sox players (though, that part was pretty awesome). It was the other 41 kids who could relate to the pause, or the blur, or whatever you want to call it when a kid never again forgets that oncologist means cancer doctor.

It wasn’t until this trip that Goose met 23-year-old Alex DiBuono, who’s given him fresh perspective on what’s ahead. DiBuono was first diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia when he was 14. He played high school hockey during his treatment, beat the disease with 21⁄2 years of chemotherapy, had it come back at age 21, and beat it again with a bone-marrow transplant.

“I didn’t really want to talk to anyone when I first got diagnosed,” DiBuono said. “I didn’t want it to be who I was. I didn’t want to be a cancer patient. I just wanted to get it done. Over the years, I’ve realized that it’s nothing to be ashamed of. I’m proud of what I’ve been through, and I wouldn’t be the person I am if I didn’t go through it.”

DiBuono picked up a phrase from his grandmother.

“Just happy to be on the right side of the dirt,” they say.

That’s the harsh reality, and Goose said many well-intentioned friends and adults haven’t known how to handle that uncomfortable truth.

“The whole blur, the whole idea (of cancer),” Goose said. “It’s so nice to be like, who’s pitching today?”

And the next day. And the day after that.

Red Sox notes: Rick Porcello in command despite early runs

Chad Jennings

FORT MYERS — A lot of factors contributed to Rick Porcello’s disappointing 2017 season, but the first inning was certainly among them. Porcello had trouble out of the gate, and so yesterday’s start against the might have felt like a continuation of an old problem.

Porcello said the opposite.

Yes, Porcello gave up two runs in the first inning, but that was with a blown double play and a lot of weak contact. The results were underwhelming, but Porcello came away encouraged.

“I attribute a lot of what happened a year ago to failure to command the ball,” he said. “And even at this point in spring, and even with the line that I gave up (yesterday), I commanded the ball much better right now than I did at a lot of different points last year.”

Porcello gave up four runs in four innings, but he walked none, struck out three and got six groundball outs.

“You don’t want solid contact,” manager Alex Cora said. “You can go different ways to get that. I was very pleased with what he did out there. Like I said, with him, and with everyone on the pitching staff, we have to turn groundballs into outs. It’s very important. We didn’t do it (yesterday).”

Porcello worked almost exclusively with his sinker down in the zone and only once went with his four- seam fastball at the top of the zone. At times, Porcello seemed to get away from his bread-and-butter sinker last season.

“We were getting weak contact (yesterday), so it didn’t feel like there was any need to go up there,” Porcello said. “Until guys start squaring it up, there’s no reason to change. When we start mixing more four-seamers, we’ll see. Probably plan on doing that next time out. But right now, the focus is the sinker and everything playing off that down below the zone.”

#LydiaStrong

Closer is still not in camp, but his teammates made it clear they’re thinking about him. The team wore red T-shirts that said “We Are #LydiaStrong” before yesterday’s game.

Kimbrel’s daughter Lydia was born in November with a heart condition and has undergone treatment at Boston Children’s Hospital. Kimbrel has been throwing in Boston while he stays with his family.

“I talked to him a few days ago,” Cora said. “But I think these conversations go sometimes from being the manager to not being the manager. We talked for like 25 minutes, and I think I was Red Sox manager for like five of them. It’s not easy. But we’re here for everyone.”

Chavis, Beeks cut

The team made its first cuts from big league camp, headlined by top prospect Michael Chavis, who was sent to minor league camp without having an at-bat with the big leaguers. The third baseman has been bothered by an oblique injury most of spring training.

“He wasn’t able to perform,” Cora said. “But he learned a lot over the course of whatever we’ve been here as far as work ethic, showing up on time, do your work, and actually he’ll be fine. Sometimes, spring training, yeah, the experience you get on the big field helps. But I think the experience he had in that clubhouse, just being around the guys and seeing how they work, is going to benefit him.”

The Red Sox cut 10 others, including pitching prospect Jalen Beeks, reliever Kyle Martin and outfielder Steve Selsky. Martin and Selsky each got to the big leagues with the Sox last season.

Holt takes one

Brock Holt was hit by a pitch just above the elbow. The sound was a terrifying crack, but Holt said he expects to be fine.

As a precaution, he will not play in today’s game against the in Dunedin, Fla.

“Hopefully he’s all right, but we’re not going to push it,” Cora said. . . .

“He can sleep now,” Cora said. “Good swing, good at-bat. The 3-0 (count) with the lefty, he was ready to hit. He’s got (Jackie) Bradley behind (him), a lefty on the mound, that’s a spot where you look for a fastball and try to do damage. He was ready to hit. He’s feeling better. It seems like his timing is getting there. You can see him slowing down, committing to a spot. That was a positive.”

Even with the , the Red Sox lost to the Orioles, 7-3. Hanley Ramirez had two hits. Carson Smith, Heath Hembree and Robby Scott each pitched a scoreless inning of relief.

* The Springfield Republican

Mitch Moreland got 'sports coat' call to majors because he plays with 'chip' on his shoulder

Christopher Smith

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- was sitting in bed looking at hunting equipment online when he received a call from Triple-A Oklahoma City RedHawks manager Bobby Jones around 9:45 p.m. on July 28, 2010.

Moreland had added several items to his online wish list.

Jones asked Moreland, "You get the sports coat I was telling you about?"

"I said, 'Yes, sir. I got one.' He goes, 'Good. You're going to need it. You're going to Arlington tomorrow. Good luck, kid."

Moreland called his girlfriend Susannah (now his wife) and his parents to tell them the terrific news. He then sat back down on the bed and returned to his computer.

"I moved everything from the wish list to the cart and bought it," Moreland said. "That was kind of how my night went. I was pretty excited about it."

Moreland made his major league debut the next night. He went 2-for-4 in the Rangers' 7-4 home win vs. Oakland.

The Red Sox certainly appreciates stories of perseverance.

After all, he has his own. The Rangers drafted Moreland in the 17th round in 2007. He was a bit of a long shot coming out of Mississippi State to make the majors.

Only two players (Moreland and Brandon Gomes) selected in the 17th round that year made the big leagues.

And so Moreland certainly appreciates new teammate J.D. Martinez's story.

The Astros released Martinez during spring training 2014 and the slugger went on to bash 128 homers over the next four seasons, then sign a five-year, $110-million contract with Boston.

"Those guys are usually guys that whether they say it or not or show it or not, they continue to play with a chip on their shoulder, trying to prove people wrong all the way up. Like, 'You don't think I was this good. I'm going to go out and try to show you,'" Moreland said.

"And what he (Martinez) went through as far as revamping his swing and kind of starting with a whole new approach, it's great to see," Moreland added. "He's been through the hard times and he came out of it. So guys like that, the sky's the limit."

No, Moreland didn't receive a nine-digit contract in the offseason like Martinez.

But he certainly had to work hard and play with the same chip on his shoulder Martinez did to earn his two- year, $13-million deal.

"That's the way I looked like it: 'Well, if you think I wasn't good enough to play in the big leagues, I'm going to show you I was,'" Moreland said. "That's the way I always went about it. I try to still do that. I might not be the fastest or have the quickest hands or whatever, but I'm going to work as hard as anybody out there. So that's kind of my mindset. It's been a fun ride so far, something I try not to take for granted."

A major league team can never have enough of these players who continue to work hard and try to prove they belong, even after signing lucrative contracts.

The Red Sox have several players who play with an edge. Eduardo Nunez is another one. He's gritty. He's out to prove himself.

Like Moreland, Martinez also went low in the draft. The Astros selected him in the 20th round in 2009 out of Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Moreland agreed the draft can be a crapshoot to a certain extent.

But he added, "Obviously it's not much of a crapshoot when you look at the statistics of a first-rounder making it to the big leagues compared to a 20th-rounder making it the big leagues."

Moreland was a dominant . He posted a 25-2 record on the mound in high school. He then starred as a two-way player at Mississippi State.

"I only had two teams looking at me to hit," Moreland said. "Everybody (else) was wanting me to pitch. I was thinking it was going to be a pitching call and we were actually in the Super Regional vs. Clemson. I had no agent. I just gave my phone to my dad and I said, 'If somebody calls, you just do your thing because I've got to play. I've got more important stuff going on right now. We've got to go to Omaha.'"

Moreland went 2-for-4 with three RBIs and a two-run homer to help Mississippi State beat Clemson 8-6.

"When I got done with the game, they were like, 'Yeah, the Rangers drafted you in the 17th round -- and as a first baseman.'"

Both Moreland and Martinez enjoy talking hitting.

"I feel like I've learned a lot the hard way over my career," Moreland said. "I've tried different stuff. I asked a lot of questions early and every little piece of advice I tried to incorporate that into my game. But in a way that can kind of catch up with you because you've still got to be yourself.

"Everybody's got their own game," he added. "So there's a lot of stuff to pick up along the way. But obviously talking hitting, talking approach, what certain guys have to do ... it's always nice to have that conversation going on. You never know what you're going to pick up."

He feels Red Sox fans appreciated his gritty personality and style of play last year.

"I hope so," Moreland said. "I feel like that can kind of fit anywhere if you look at it. But that's the way I was raised. I'm not doing it for any particular reason or to fit in. But I'm happy that it's appreciated from what it seems. For me, it was more enjoying it from the baseball standpoint, knowing it's a great place to play. A bunch of great guys in here. And it's something I wanted to be a part of. So that's kind of the way I looked at it."

A new addition to the Moreland family

Moreland and his wife Susannah welcomed their third child, Ledger Bryce, during the offseason.

They now have two sons Crue (5 years old) and Ledger, and a daughter, Swayze (3 years old).

"We're excited about it," Moreland said. "He's been awesome so far. He's sleeping good. He's just a month old. We've got that going on."

His family lives in the Birmingham, Ala., area during the offseason. They also have a place in Mississippi where he hunts. He did a little bit of deer and duck hunting this offseason.

Red Sox made 'We Are #LydiaStrong' T-shirts to support Craig Kimbrel's daughter Lydia Joy

Christopher Smith

Boston Red Sox players are supporting Craig Kimbrel's family by wearing "We Are #LydiaStrong" T- shirts.

Kimbrel's daughter, Lydia Joy, was born with a heart condition in November. She underwent surgery four days after being born.

Kimbrel returned to Boston at the end of February for Lydia's second surgery at Boston Children's Hospital.

The Red Sox closer remains in Boston. He threw a bullpen session at Fenway Park on Wednesday.

"Praying for Lydia," Red Sox manager Alex Cora told reporters Friday when asked for an update on Kimbrel. "Our thoughts and prayers are with him.

"He's actually throwing up there," Cora said. "He threw a bullpen two days ago. He actually took the (radar) gun to it and he feels really good where he's at physically and where his arm is. But obviously for us, for the organization, for everybody, the most important thing is Lydia."

* RedSox.com

Porcello vows to eliminate first-inning issues

Maureen Mullen

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Last season was difficult for Rick Porcello, going 11-17 with a 4.65 ERA in 33 starts, but the first inning was egregiously so for the right-hander. In those 33 first innings, he posted a 6.55 ERA and a .311 opponents' average (better than only his seventh-inning mark of 10.12 and .396, respectively, in 17 games).

Porcello's first-inning struggles continued in Sunday's 7-3 loss to the split-squad Orioles at JetBlue Park. In his second Grapefruit League start, he went four innings, giving up four runs on seven hits with no walks, a hit batter and three strikeouts. He threw 68 pitches (46 strikes).

Porcello faced seven batters in the first inning, allowing two runs. He gave up consecutive singles to the first three batters -- Alex Presley, Joey Rickard and -- for the first run before getting a fielder's choice from Danny Valencia and striking out Pedro Alvarez. Chance Sisco's single scored Rickard, and Ruben Tejada grounded out to end the first.

Manager Alex Cora saw an unturned double play -- Valencia's grounder to third baseman Rafael Devers -- as the turning point in the inning.

"We didn't turn a double play, and we have to do that," Cora said. "If they're going to put the ball in play, we have to make those plays for him. Raffi, he hesitated, and we don't turn a double play. And then after that, no solid contact, no solid contact, and then that happens.

"So that's something we need to do a better job defensively. We have to turn ground balls into outs. It's very important, regardless of who's on the mound. At this level, you have to turn double plays."

After retiring the side in order in the second and third, Porcello again gave up two runs after facing seven batters in the fourth. Alvarez led off with a single before Porcello hit Sisco with a pitch. Tejada bunted into a fielder's choice, eliminating Alvarez. DJ Stewart singled and Luis Sardinas struck out looking. But Presley's single to right scored two runs before Rickard grounded out, giving the Orioles a 4-2 lead.

On a positive note, all the hits Porcello permitted were singles.

"Well, you saw it. ... I didn't love it," Porcello said of the first. "Command was a little off. Got to get better in the first inning, for sure. But other than that, the rest of the game felt pretty good. I think the hardest-hit ball was the ball that Rasmus hit that was caught [for a flyout to right in the third]. Other than that, induced weak contact, which is what we're trying to do. Fastball was down. So just got to figure out what's going on in the first inning and get better with that."

It's an issue Porcello has been trying to figure out. He had some difficulties in the first even in his 2016 Cy Young Award-winning season.

"I attribute a lot of what happened a year ago to failure to command the ball," Porcello said. "And even at this point in spring and even with the line that I gave up today, I'm commanding the ball much better than I did at a lot of different points last year. So it's hard to compare the two, and even the year prior, the first inning for whatever reason, it's been one of those innings. It's been tough for me.

"It seems like right out of the gate, back's against the wall trying to limit the damage. We definitely need to look at it and see if there's any patterns or trends that I'm going through, if they're combating with a good game plan and if there's different change of speeds, different angles that I need to give them early on just to get through that first inning without digging us a hole. But, overall, I feel good, and I feel like I'm throwing the ball well. We'll look at it and go from there."

In addition to figuring out the first inning, Porcello has some specific things he's working on right now.

"Commanding the fastball, commanding the sinker, that's the biggest thing," Porcello said. "There were two hits on sinkers today, and they were both to lefties that basically slapped the ball the other way, which is a good sign. Gave up a lot of big hits on that pitch last year, and it wasn't doing the right thing. But those are more the results I'm looking for. If they are going to hit the ball, limit them to singles and making them hit the ball the other way is important. So that's our priority right now, is being aggressive and relentless at the knees, and everything kind of works off that."

Top prospect Chavis among Cora's first cuts

Maureen Mullen

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The Red Sox made their first round of roster moves on Sunday, sending 11 players out of big league camp and over to the Minor League side.

There were no surprises, just young players returning to the camp where they can continue their development and progressions. It's part of the learning process for them.

It's also part of the learning process for first-year manager Alex Cora, who had to deliver the unwanted messages to the prospects for the first time in his career. It's never an easy task, even for a veteran manager, but especially for a rookie.

"I had a flashback of when I got cut," Cora said. "It's a learning experience, and that was a learning experience today. But having Dave [Dombrowski, Red Sox president of baseball operations], he's done it for a lot of years, the coaches. Talking to the players, [telling them] to stick to the plan. There's a few things that we noticed throughout the course of these few weeks that they need to keep working on. It was a good experience. It's never cool to tell somebody that you're going to Minor League camp, but it's part of the process."

Boston's top prospect Michael Chavis, according to MLB Pipeline, catcher Austin Rei, infielder Esteban Quiroz, Jeremy Barfield and Steve Selsky and right-handers Kyle Martin and Fernando Rodriguez were reassigned to Minor League camp. Left-handers Jalen Beeks (No. 15) and Williams Jerez (No. 27) and right-handers Ty Buttrey (No. 29) and Chandler Shepherd (No. 26) were optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket.

Beeks had a rough outing on Saturday. Stepping in for David Price, who was scratched from his start against the Twins because of rain in the forecast, Beeks faced seven batters without recording an out, giving up seven runs on six hits and a walk before rain cancelled the game.

Cora made sure the young lefty knew his move was not related to the outing.

"Yesterday, I told him on the mound, 'You're a good pitcher. Don't let this day bother you,'" Cora said. "[But], it will bother him. But that was one that it was so fresh in his mind. 'It didn't happen because yesterday you struggled. It was going to happen regardless. You still have to go through the process, and there's a few things that you have to work on, but you will pitch in the big leagues.'

"With Shepherd, too, going through the adjustments. There's a few things we noticed the last few weeks that he has to add to his craft. It started yesterday. It's tough sometimes when you're young. You've been doing something for so long and all of a sudden [someone says] you should do it this way, this will benefit you. It takes a while, and obviously you're going to go through struggles. But when you find it, you're going to be fine.

"Chavis, [who is working his way back from a left oblique injury early in camp], it was obviously a tough one for him. He wasn't able to perform, but he learned a lot over the course of whatever we've been here, as far as like work ethic, showing up on time, do your work. And actually, he'll be fine. But sometimes Spring Training, yeah, the experience you get on the big field, it helps. But I think the experience you had in that clubhouse, just being around the guys and seeing how they work, is going to benefit him."

The Red Sox now have 45 players in big league camp, 36 from the 40-man roster and nine non-roster invitees.

Linpressive Cora likes what he has seen this spring from Tzu-Wei Lin, the 24-year-old infielder who has been with the organization since signing as an international free agent in 2012. He made his Major League debut last season, hitting .268 in 25 games and playing second base, third base and shortstop.

Lin has played 29 innings at shortstop, 16 in center field, 14 at third base and 11 at second through 14 spring games. After going hitless in two at-bats in Sunday's 7-3 loss to the split-squad Orioles at JetBlue Park, he's hitting just .160, but Cora isn't worried about that at this point.

"Very good defensive player," Cora said. "And his at-bats are good. He controls the strike zone. … You see the batting average and then you see the at-bats, you don't see the same thing. That's a good sign because he's putting quality at-bats.

"But defensively, good tempo. He's getting used to the second-base part of it. Obviously, it's a different angle. But at short and at third, he's great. In center field, he hasn't had too many chances, but for everything I heard, everything people have told me, he can handle center field. He gets good jumps, throws to the right base and he understands the game. And in the clubhouse, amazing. He's a professional. People like him. He's very likable. This guy is going to contribute. He's a big leaguer."

Cora compared his versatility to that of Brock Holt.

"Defensively, he's a shortstop for a championship-caliber team," Cora said.

This and that • Brock Holt was hit by a pitch from left-hander Zac Lowther in the eighth inning. Holt had been expected to make the trip to Dunedin, Fla., on Monday to face the Blue Jays, but he will now stay behind.

"Hopefully he's all right," Cora said. "But we're not going to push him."

• Mookie Betts, who got his first hit of the spring on Thursday, led off Sunday with his first home run -- a shot to left field -- against right-hander Hunter Harvey.

• Carson Smith pitched a scoreless fifth inning, striking out Colby Rasmus (who reached on a ) and Danny Valencia before Pedro Alvarez grounded into a fielder's choice. He struck out the side swinging by retiring Chance Sisco. In five appearances this spring, Smith has given up one run on four hits, with three walks and six strikeouts over five innings.

• J.D. Martinez went 0-for-3 and played five innings in left field.

Up next Right-hander Hector Velazquez is scheduled to start Monday when the Red Sox travel to face the Blue Jays at 1:07 p.m. ET (listen live on Gameday Audio). Left-handers Roenis Elias and right-handers Marcus Walden and Justin Haley are set to follow him on the mound.

Red Sox show support for Kimbrel's daughter

Maureen Mullen

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The Red Sox wore red warm-up T-shirts before Sunday's 7-3 Grapefruit League loss to the split-squad Orioles that read "We Are #LydiaStrong" in support of closer Craig Kimbrel and his 4-month-old daughter, Lydia Joy, who recently underwent her second heart procedure at Massachusetts General Hospital.

"We keep praying. Our thoughts are with the Kimbrel family," Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. "He has the support not only of this organization, but you guys [the media], the fans, and we're pulling for her. She's part of the family. I told him from the get-go, 'This is a very exclusive fraternity. … We got to take care of each other, and we're doing that.'"

Cora said Lydia is doing better. He has been in touch with Kimbrel, who has been working out in the Boston area. There is no timetable yet for Kimbrel's return to the team.

"No, not right now. Like I told him, 'Take care of what you've got to take care of,'" Cora said. "'We understand.'"

Lydia, who was born Nov. 3 with heart ailments, underwent her first surgery when she was just 4 days old.

"She's doing great," Kimbrel said earlier in camp. "Doctors have been amazing. They've been very encouraging. And she's growing fine. So it's tough to be away, especially being so hands-on, but there's a plan for everything and you can't change it. Just have to take it for what it is."

In two seasons with the Red Sox, Kimbrel has made 124 appearances, spanning 122 innings, and recorded 66 saves and a 2.29 ERA, twice being selected as an All-Star. He was named the 2017 Mariano Rivera American League Reliever of the Year Award winner, recording 35 saves, 126 strikeouts and a 1.43 ERA in 67 appearances.

Kimbrel can be a free agent at the end of this season, but Lydia's situation has given her dad a new perspective on life and baseball.

"I'm just going to take each day for what it is," Kimbrel had said. "If we're talking about if I'm coming back here next year or if I'm going somewhere else, I mean, next year is really the time to talk about that. Like I said, right now I'm a Boston Red Sox and I'm happy to be a Boston Red Sox, and I'm looking forward to this year."

* WEEI.com

Answering most important question of spring training -- who are best and worst ping pong players on Red Sox?

Nick Friar

FORT MYERS, Fla. – After watching about two-dozen ping-pong games in the Red Sox clubhouse at JetBlue Park, you get a pretty good idea of who's a standout and who might best be served with a spring training devoted to ping-pong alone.

There are a few you can miss outside of clubhouse availability, but most players have seen just about all their teammates play. Those prepared to share their hard-hitting analysis with WEEI.com were Mookie Betts, Brock Holt, Joe Kelly, Blake Swihart and Mitch Moreland.

Among the players listed in the elite tier were Holt, Kelly and Deven Marrero. Several said Betts and Chris Sale are the team's best with a ping-pong paddle, with Sale having the edge.

When it came to the worst player on the team, agreement was unanimous: Eduardo Rodriguez. Even Eduardo Nunez, who admitted he's not much of a player, picked Rodriguez.

Several were more than happy to assist a scuffling teammate with advice.

"I would say, one, he needs to move," Betts said. "He doesn't move. And two, respect the fact that some of the other guys are better than you and play that way. And don't call people out if you know you're going to get whupped."

Moreland echoed a similar message.

"Everybody likes trash talking with Eddie," Moreland said. "I ain't much better than Eddie. But yeah, I can't give advice other than not talk trash so much when you get beat all the time."

Unlike Betts and Moreland, who gave Rodriguez fairly constructive criticism, Holt – who also said, "if he's on your team you're guaranteed to lose, but he thinks he's good" – didn't exactly take the same approach.

"Don't play anymore," Holt said. "Because he's just embarrassing himself. But, no, we just like to have fun and a good time with him – but he's not good."

After being asked the same question several hours later, Kelly – who's not shy about giving his teammates a hard time – shared a sentiment very similar to Holt's.

"Stop playing," Kelly said. "I think he should just quit. He's not getting any better. I think he should just stop playing altogether."

After receiving the devastating news that his ping-pong career was over before it started, Rodriguez had the opportunity to respond to his critics.

"I mean, when you say, 'you're the worst,' that's because you lost to everybody," Rodriguez said. "And I've lost to almost everybody, so they say that. No (I'm not the worst). It's because I'm playing every time. I play every day, so that's why they say I'm the worst. But there's a lot of worse players here."

There's still time yet for Rodriguez to mount a comeback before the season starts in Tampa on March 29, but if you value Kelly and Holt's ability to break down ping-pong it may be too little, too late.

Red Sox announce cuts and reassignments, including injured top prospect Michael Chavis

John Tomase

The Red Sox announced a series of roster moves on Sunday morning.

Per their official release, left-handed Jalen Beeks and Williams Jerez and right-handed pitchers Ty Buttrey and Chandler Shepherd were optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket, while seven players were reassigned to minor league camp: catcher Austin Rei; infielders Michael Chavis and Esteban Quiroz; outfielders Jeremy Barfield and Steve Selsky; and right-handed pitchers Kyle Martin and Fernando Rodriguez Jr.

The most recognizable name on that list is Chavis, the top prospect who has been out since last month with an oblique injury.

"He wasn't able to perform. But he learned a lot over the course of whatever we've been here as far as work ethic, showing up on time, do your work, and actually he'll be fine," Red Sox manager Alex Cora told reporters in . "Sometimes, spring training, yeah, the experience you get on the big field helps. But I think the experience he had in that clubhouse, just being around the guys and seeing how they work, is going to benefit him."

And as for his rehab?

"He's moving along," Cora told reporters. "He took swings off the tee and soft toss, so he should be fine soon. Very happy with the progress. He worked. He worked hard. And he learned that at this level, you have to work hard at your craft. Talent, it's not enough. You've got to do something extra, and he did. And he put himself in a position where he can start performing soon."

* CSNNE.com

Alex Cora, Red Sox discuss relationships with the media

Evan Drellich

Like every new manager, Alex Cora made a getting-to-know-you effort with his players this winter. He’s been around the game for a long time: player, ESPN commentator, bench coach. But he did not know many of the Red Sox on a personal level.

“The only guy that I really know is Dustin [Pedroia],” Cora said in January. “Well, I played with Mitch [Moreland] for five days, I think it was. But, talking to them and meeting them, it’s a lot different when — first of all I was on your side, very critical. And then I was the enemy, quote-unquote. So, the conversations were very limited. But now, they're more open.”

Interesting word choice. Catch that? The “enemy, quote-unquote.” Cora said as much basically in passing. But the words are nonetheless a gateway to a loaded topic. The way Cora said them suggested he thinks calling the enemy the media is, at the very least, an oversimplification. He would know, to an extent. At ESPN, Cora was critical of how Chris Sale cut up jerseys with the White Sox, as most onlookers were. He has an idea of the workings of at least one job in the broad spectrum of media.

But Cora’s mention of the “enemy, quote-unquote” also further validated the idea that players hold this view: some players, in some places, including the Red Sox think this way. No surprise there. But, the subject is particularly relevant to both Cora and the 2018 Red Sox, given how 2017 unfolded without Cora.

Does the new manager think players look at the media as the enemy?

"There’s certain guys [who] feel they’re the enemy,” Cora said in a sit-down with NBC Sports Boston. “You watch TV and you’re like, ‘What is he talking about?’ It’s not enemy as like really, enemy. But you try to keep ‘em away, far enough from you that they don’t bother you. I think at the end of the day, the media has a job to do. I lived it. I have to educate people. And with all the networks, 24-hour sports networks. There’s people there that — they’re there the whole time. And their job is to educate the fans.

“The fans want information, they want to know about their players, they want to talk about players, they want to be informed about other teams. This market — they do. I mean, I come from an organization that, for how great it was, I never had this feeling. Over 182 days, and in the playoffs, like, the need for information about my team: ‘I gotta know everything about it. What’s Alex doing today? Who’s playing today?’

“They ask about the lineup in spring training, sometimes I don’t even know who’s playing. You know, you guys ask me, I’m like, ‘I’ll get back to you.’ But everybody wants to know, and this is a market that they want that, they need it and we understand that. But as the enemy enemy? No no no. It’s not enemy. Sometimes you’re very aware and you’re cautious.”

NBC Sports Boston sat down with a few players in the first couple weeks of spring training, and asked them: what could the media do better in the players’ eyes? The question was presented semi-seriously: maybe there’s a little pet peeve they have in interactions that doesn’t strike at any core issue, something that may be more amusing than anything else. Maybe they in fact have deeper thoughts on the media dynamic as a whole. They were given the floor.

Some of their thoughts:

“What I don’t like, what I would prefer is if people got fully dressed and then everybody ran over at the same time,” Jackie Bradley Jr. said, discussing how the media that actually goes to games can sometimes storm a player’s locker. “Instead of like surrounding the locker before.

“We kind of get a feel sometimes who’s gonna be asked certain questions and stuff like that. So, I mean yeah, I can only speak for myself. I’m there every time, and I’m fine to answer and I don’t shy away from the hard questions.”

Chris Sale? Well, he had a very Sale-like answer.

“Hey man, if you came and told me how to throw a slider, I’d laugh in your face,” Sale said. “I’m not going to tell you how to do your job. That’s not my style. I’m going to stay in my lane. And you ask me whatever you want to ask me and I’ll find a way to get it done.”

Hanley Ramirez said he doesn’t judge because he knows the media has a job to do.

“Sometimes the fans follow you guys. Sometimes you guys are saying things that the fans sometimes just take it the wrong way, and it’s not good for the players," Ramirez said. "We come every day to the field and get ready. … Sometimes [a game is] not going to go the way that you expect. If you see [a player] hustling and give everything, it's fine, it's fine. For me, it doesn't bother me, because I know that I give everything that I got every day."

Joe Kelly, who pretended to be a media member during camp as a prank, said he does not like when he’s told to talk about a subject rather than asked a question.

“I want it go be grammatically correct,” Kelly said dryly. “When you ask a question, I want your voice to rise a little bit. … If your teacher told you to write a question and then you put an exclamation point, are you going to get an A?"

Rick Porcello took more of a philosophical route. He doesn’t necessarily love talking about the game itself after a game, a game many already know the result of.

“This is a great question for the fans,” Porcello said. “‘Cause that’s really what matters, is what they want to hear? What do they want to hear us talk about? I don’t want to get the question, ‘What happened out there today?’ If anybody watched the game they know what happened . . . Send out a poll question to the fans and see what they want to hear and then starting asking those questions.”

Brock Holt was asked this spring if he thought Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton would hit more than 100 home runs combined. He would prefer if the questions were kept relevant to his own team.

“There is one question . . . 'What did the opposing pitcher have tonight?'” Benintendi said. “Maybe [it would be better if media did] not stand in the middle of like the clubhouse, so we have to go around you guys all the time.”

Cora played too. He said he didn’t love being asked simply, “How do you feel?”

"During my career, not too many people came up to me and talked," Cora said. "I think in 10 days [in Florida with the Red Sox] I had more interviews than I had over the course of my career. I think people want to know.

“People want to know, what are you thinking in that situation? The answer is like, I don’t know, I just reacted. That’s good enough, you know? We don’t have to go deep into it. Hey, sometimes it’s just a reaction. One thing I’ve been telling them, and I use ground balls as an example. You know, in baseball there’s no right or wrong. Obviously there’s decisions that a manager did make that, yeah, I mean, I’m gonna get crushed because I decided not to pitch this guy in this situation. That comes with the territory.

“But, as a player . . . there’s a ground ball. The ball comes up, you got two options: either charge the ball and catch the short hop or step back and catch the long one. There’s no right or wrong. So I mean, whatever decision they make during the game, it’s a reaction, it’s instinct.”

* The Boston Sports Journal

Red Sox notes: Rick Porcello tries to get to the bottom of his first-inning struggles

Sean McAdam

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Rick Porcello knows he has a First Inning Problem. The numbers say so (6.55 ERA last year in the first), and even if they didn’t, Porcello would know, having endured some rough first frames that put him and his team behind early.

So when Porcello gave up two quick runs in the first inning Sunday to the Baltimore Orioles, it looked like more of the same. But upon closer examination, it wasn’t.

Yes, Porcello yielded two runs on four hits. But few of the hits were hard-hit (there was a bunt single involved and later, soft liner to left) and it didn’t help that Rafael Devers failed to turn a double play on a relatively routine play, giving the O’s another out.

“I’ve got to get better in the first inning, for sure,’’ said Porcello after the Sox dropped a 7-3 decision to Baltimore. “I attribute a lot of what happened last year (in the first) to failure to command the ball, and even with the line I had today, I commanded the ball much better than I did at a lot of different times last year.

“But the first inning, even the year before (when he won the Cy Young Award), for whatever reason, it’s been one of those innings that’s been tough for me. It seems like, right out of the gate, your back is against the wall and you’re trying to get out of it and limit the damage. We definitely need to look at it and see if there’s any patterns or trends that I’m going through that they’re combatting with a good game plan and if there’s different angles or (pitch selection) that I need to give them early on to get through that first without digging us a hole.’’

Porcello believes if he can command his sinker better and keep the ball down in the zone better, he’ll be more effective – in any inning.

“I gave up a lot of big hits on that pitch a year ago,’’ said Porcello. “Our priority right now is to be relentless and aggressive and throw that down below the zone and everything works off that.’’

Porcello has mulled a number of solutions, including throwing more in the bullpen prior to starts “to take the adrenaline edge off. That’s something I’ll maybe do in my next start. But there’s a fine line between throwing too much and losing steam before you even get out there and being right. I think it’s just (being able to) bear down and if it’s a different look we need to give them, then it’s a different look.’’

______

Three things we learned from the Red Sox’ 7-3 loss to the Orioles:

Games like Sunday’s reinforce why Alex Cora wants Mookie Betts in the leadoff spot: Cora loves the “instant offense’’ capability that Betts brings, and he demonstrated it with a leadoff homer in the bottom of the first. But Betts also has more traditional leadoff attributes, including speed. He drew a number of pickoff throws from Baltimore starter Hunter Harvey in his next at-bat and when Hunter threw wildly with one, Betts sped off for third, from where he scored on a single by Hanley Ramirez.

Carson Smith looks fully recovered: Smith, who struck out the side in a scoreless fifth inning, pitched the final five weeks of last year after coming back from Tommy John surgery, but it often takes pitchers until their second year after the procedure to be 100 percent. We may be seeing that now with Smith, whose velocity has ticked up a bit and whose sinker looks more effective.

Cora has noted that Smith is again able to throw a three-pitch mix with a sinker, slider and changeup and that the quality of the stuff has improved over last fall.

“Finally, he had a (normal) off-season to get ready for next year,’’ said Cora. “So far, so good. All three pitches can be used in any count. Pretty impressive so far.’’

Brock Holt didn’t appear to be badly hurt: Holt got drilled just above the right elbow in the eighth inning by a pitch from Baltimore reliever Zac Lowther and was lifted for a pinch runner as a precaution. Holt was checked immediately after the game, and the Sox didn’t have a status report, but he’ll be given Monday off as a precaution, and with the scheduled off-day Tuesday, he’ll have two days to recover.

PITCHING PLANS:

Monday, at Dunedin (TOR): Starter: RHP Hector Velazquez. Relievers: LHP Roenis Elias, RHP Marcus Walden, RHP Justin Haley

Tuesday (off-day): Brian Johnson, camp game.

Tzu-Wei Lin making a push for roster spot

Sean McAdam

FORT MYERS, Fla. – It’s a decision that won’t be made, likely, until the final days of spring training. But with just two and a half weeks remaining, things are beginning to crystalize some:

Could the Red Sox choose Tzu-Wei Lin as their utility man over Brock Holt?

There are reasons the question is — at least — being considered.

For one thing, going with Lin could represent a small but significant savings in payroll, with Holt scheduled to earn about four times what Lin would make. For a team cognizant of every dollar spent as it bumps up against a third luxury tax level, that could mean a great deal.

Next, there’s versatility. Holt has played seven different positions for the Sox over the last five seasons, appearing everywhere but on the mound and behind the plate. But when manager Alex Cora was asked if anyone in camp could match Holt in terms of versatility, he didn’t hesitate to offer Lin’s name.

“He’s a good defensive player,’’ said Cora, “a very good defensive player.’’

Lin has yet to demonstrate that he can play as many positions as Holt, but he’s getting there. Lin is getting accustomed to second base, where he doesn’t have a lot of experience. He’s played center in the minor leagues and in two games this spring. And while he hasn’t played the corner outfield spots, Cora has little doubt that he could handle both.

“He hasn’t had too many chances,’’ said Cora, “but from everything I’ve heard and from what people tell me, he can handle center field. He gets good jumps, throws to the right base. He understands the game.’’

The left side of the infield isn’t a concern. Lin is a well above-average defender at third and short, with the latter particularly critical since, with the current roster configuration, he would provide the lone backup option to starter Xander Bogaerts.

In fact, Cora deemed Lin capable of playing short for a “championship-caliber team; I feel that way.’’

Lin has yet to be tried at first, but with Mitch Moreland, Hanley Ramirez and Blake Swihart available there, that’s not a huge need.

More than ever, teams are looking for roster flexibility. It’s imperative to have bench players who can contribute at several different positions. In the post-PED, post-stimulant era, regulars require more rest over the course of the season. And with 12-man pitching staffs, it’s imperative that the three non- on the bench be capable of helping out all over the field.

“You’ve got to have certain options on your roster,’’ said Cora, “We’ve been talking about getting people rest through the season and when you have guys like Lin, Blake and Holt, it makes it easier for you as a manager. I’ve seen it throughout the years. I saw it last year as a bench coach (in Houston). For me, Marwin Gonzalez was the MVP of that team because he was able to play first, play second, play short, play third, play left field. (He) gave the guys rest.

“And you have an extra starter. That’s the way I see it – you have another card that you can (play) and use on a regular basis. But at the same time, he’s helping everybody out. Sometimes it will help the pitching staff, too. If you want to carry an extra pitcher, well, you have those guys who can help you out with the position players.”

The questions about Lin mostly surround his offense. In limited playing time, he’s hitting just .174, though Cora was quick to point out that, as with many spring training numbers, is a bit misleading.

“His at-bats are good,’’ Cora said. “He controls the strike zone. I started looking at numbers and at-bats, and you see the batting average and it’s below .200. It really doesn’t matter, but it caught my eye because you see the batting average and you don’t see the same thing. That’s a good sign, because he’s putting up quality at-bats.

“But he controls the strike zone. He’s a lot stronger than I thought he was. His confidence is getting bigger and bigger. We’re very happy with the way he plays.’’

Lin made the jump from Double A last season when the team ran short of infielders as Holt was in concussion protocol and Marco Hernandez was lost for the season with a shoulder injury. He impressed the organization with his poise, and posted an acceptable slash line of .268/.369/.339.

The question now: Do the Red Sox like him enough to choose over Holt?

Much of that answer may depend on which Holt the Red Sox currently have. Is he the one who was an All- Star selection in 2015? Or the diminished version (.548 OPS, seven RBI in 140 RBI) from a year ago, limited by the after-effects of several concussions?

Holt has options remaining, and it’s conceivable the Sox could stash him in Pawtucket and go with Lin. But in that scenario, Holt’s $2.225 million salary would still count against the competitive balance tax. For the Sox to go with Lin, it’s far more likely they would end up dealing Holt and taking advantage of the fact that Lin will make little more than the $545,000 major league minimum.

To the degree that much can be taken from Grapefruit League performances, Holt’s spring at-bats have been better and he appears to have regained his stroke at the plate.

Ultimately, Holt may be the safer bet. But Lin’s youth, energy and payroll savings can’t be easily dismissed.

“In the clubhouse, he’s amazing,’’ said Cora of Lin. “He’s a professional and people like him. He’s very likable. This guy’s going to contribute. He’s a big leaguer.’’