The Boston Red Sox Wednesday, April 21, 2021

* The Boston Globe

Big fourth inning keeps Red Sox, Eduardo Rodriguez on winning track

Julian McWilliams

The Red Sox knew the Toronto Blue Jays were a dangerous bunch heading into Tuesday.

For the last two years, the group led by young talent Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette lurked in the shadows of the American League East. When the Jays signed George Springer to a lucrative free-agent deal this past offseason — though he’s currently on the injured list — in addition to adding Marcus Semien, it showed that the Blue Jays were ready to compete. A 2020 playoff berth certainly moved that needle, too.

“They have a great team,” manager Alex Cora said. “They are where they want to be. It took them a while, but it feels like that young talent is finally all together.”

The Red Sox beat the Jays, 4-2, in the first of a two-game set at Fenway Park. Matt Barnes shut the door in the ninth, getting Cavan Biggio to fly out to Alex Verdugo in left as the tying run.

But it wasn’t an easy one.

The Red Sox hitters didn’t get to Hyun Jin Ryu in the first three innings, the Toronto starter needing only 29 pitches and surrendering just two hits. In the top of the fourth inning, Eduardo Rodriguez surrendered a light-tower solo shot to Bichette to give the Jays the lead.

Yet the Sox, as they have in this small sample of a season, have proven themselves not to be an easy out. Though Ryu came into the contest sporting a 1.89 ERA in his three starts, he hadn’t faced a lineup this hot, the Red Sox leading the majors in runs scored (100), batting average (.287), OPS (.817), and doubles (43).

As the lineup turned over, Christian Arroyo led off the bottom of the fourth with a single. The next hitter, J.D. Martinez, collected a single of his own, too. That set the stage for Bogaerts. Down 1-2 in the count, after Ryu had worked in a four-seamer and two cutters, he tried to beat Bogaerts with another four-seamer, this one high and tight.

Bogaerts was all over it, belting a no-doubter deep into the Fenway sky to put the Red Sox up, 3-1. It was his first homer of the season.

“It’s good to get the first one out of the way,” Bogaerts said. “I wasn’t trying to get anything. That whole inning Alex Cora predicted, to be honest with you.”

The manager, apparently, told his team that Martinez would get a hit and Bogaerts would homer.

“I was like, ‘You talking about me? I don’t have a home run at all,’ ” Bogaerts joked.

After a Christian Vázquez strikeout, Marwin Gonzalez doubled. With two out, Bobby Dalbec laced an RBI triple over Randal Grichuk’s head in center to make it 4-1.

What once looked like yet another dominant start for Ryu wasn’t. He was lifted after five innings, leaving his team to play from behind.

Rodriguez, meanwhile, worked through six innings, striking out six against two hits and a walk. This is the second time in Rodriguez’s career that he’s made three straight starts allowing no more than one walk. The last was August of 2015.

“I feel really good with everything, all my pitches,” Rodriguez said. “I feel like my body is right where it needs to be.”

The Sox allowed him to start the seventh, but a Grichuk solo shot to lead off the inning forced Cora to go to Matt Andriese. It was Rodriguez’s first start at Fenway in 19 months, and the first time he had pitched past the fifth this season.

That the Red Sox could win by such a convincing margin Monday, 11-4, to close out the Chicago White Sox, then turn around and win a nail-biter affirms another Cora prediction, this one dating back to spring training.

“I’m going to repeat myself. We have a good baseball team,” Cora said. “Very balanced. We made some good plays defensively today. We put together good at-bats. Seems like we just finish games right from the first pitch all the way to the end.”

Alex Cora clears COVID-19 protocols in time for Tuesday’s game vs. Blue Jays

Julian McWilliams

Red Sox manager Alex Cora made it through COVID-19 health and safety protocols in time for the start of the team’s Tuesday game against the Toronto Blue Jays, following an unspecified issue involving the virus. After the Red Sox’ 4-2 win, Cora said he had to spend Monday night in a hotel away from his family.

Cora arrived at Fenway Park around 4:40 p.m., 2½ hours before scheduled first pitch, and was present for batting practice. He held his pregame media availability via Zoom from his home, sharing only that “there was a situation last night.”

“So we have to go through the whole thing and we are just waiting for one more step, and hopefully I can be at Fenway,” Cora said.

Cora stressed he was not sick with the virus. He has had one vaccination shot, and is scheduled to have his second shot Wednesday. When asked if he received a false positive on a recent COVID-19 test, Cora wouldn’t label it as such.

“I don’t want to call it a false positive,” Cora said. “I think they use another term. Something else. But let’s say that I have tested and things are trending in the right direction in the last 24 hours.”

During spring training, Red Sox reliever Matt Barnes initially tested positive for COVID-19, but the result was ultimately categorized as a non-infectious positive, which allowed Barnes to return to the field.

Better days ahead for Bobby Dalbec?

Bobby Dalbec put together a 14-pitch plate appearance against Lucas Giolito in Monday’s 11-4 win against the Chicago White Sox. It ended in a walk, and helped spike Giolito’s pitch count to 46 that inning.

“We believe that when you start walking, good things happen,” Cora said after the game. “He fouled off some tough pitches throughout the at-bat and was able to win that battle. It was fun to watch and he was outstanding.”

Dalbec was hitting .214 entering Tuesday, striking out a whopping 17 times in 46 plate appearances. Slugging just .310 with a .592 OPS, he has yet to hit a homer. Yet Cora has stuck with the rookie, playing Dalbec in 14 of the team’s 18 contests, including Tuesday. That ended up paying dividends for the Sox. Dalbec was 2 for 3 against the Blue Jays with an RBI triple. He’s now hitting .244.

Like most rookies, Cora believes there’s a learning curve Dalbec must endure.

“I feel like I’ve been hitting the ball hard and had some tough luck, and then there’s been days where I just don’t have it. But overall, I feel pretty good,” Dalbec said. “I think the numbers will show that I’ve had pretty, pretty poor luck, but you know, can’t control that. So I just got to keep working every day.”

Dalbec’s expected batting average, which takes into account what a batter might hit with typical league average results based on launch angle and exit velocity, was .308 before Tuesday. He has squared up the ball 20 percent of the time, which rated in the top 6 percent of the league.

The strikeouts will always be there; his 37-percent rate before Tuesday was in the bottom 4 percent of the league. Nevertheless, perhaps a closer glance at the numbers indicate that more hits are on the horizon for the young power hitter.

Dalbec has played a huge role in the field for the Sox, seemingly learning first base — not his natural position — on the fly. It’s been easy to fit in with this Sox squad, too, he said. Dating back to spring training, Dalbec said this group of guys fit really well.

“It’s a really fun group to be around,” Dalbec said. “Everyone’s always working, always talking about what’s going on, who we’re playing that day. But keeping it light at the same time. It’s a fun team to be around right now.”

Chris Sale lets it fly

Chris Sale was on the field four hours before the game for his latest throwing session, and if he was holding back, it wasn’t much. In a pitching motion while on the grass in right field, Sale was throwing smoothly and with good velocity. Cora said Sale would return to the team’s complex in Fort Myers, Fla., on Sunday to continue his rehabilitation from Tommy John surgery. Sale has yet to throw off a mound, but is moving closer to that key check point in his comeback. “He feels like everything is going the right way now,” Cora said. “He feels a lot stronger, and the progression is going the right way.” Sale has been with the major league team since Opening Day, something Cora said was a positive for all concerned. “Mentally he’s in a great place,” Cora said. “Physically he feels great. Now it’s just a matter of when he’s going to get on the mound and go from there” . . . Kiké Hernández received his World Series ring from the Dodgers. The ring was shipped to him, as coronavirus protocols prevented it from being presented by a Dodgers representative . . . The Sox used their 17th different batting order in 18 games. The latest was unique in that the designated hitter, Kevin Plawecki, hit ninth. The Sox hadn’t done that since June 25, 2019, when Eduardo Nunez batted ninth as the DH. He was released three weeks later.

Even before beating Blue Jays, return to Fenway mound a victory for Eduardo Rodriguez

Peter Abraham

Tuesday night, for the first time in nearly 19 months, Eduardo Rodriguez took the mound at Fenway Park.

The lefthander had not pitched a home game since the final day of the 2019 season. With a chance for his 20th win, Rodriguez went seven innings against the Orioles and handed a one-run lead to the bullpen.

An unearned run cost him the milestone in a game the Sox came back to win. Rodriguez then missed all of last season recovering from inflammation around his heart caused by COVID-19.

Back on familiar ground Tuesday night, Rodriguez looked like a pitcher who is finally going to get those 20 wins. He pitched into the seventh inning and allowed two runs as the Sox beat the Toronto Blue Jays, 4- 2.

Rodriguez is 3-0 with a 3.38 earned run average in three starts. He’s one of the best comeback stories of the season.

“It feels amazing to be back here, to step on the mound and be able to compete,” Rodriguez said. “That feels really good. It was something special.”

Rodriguez is 35-11 with a 3.79 ERA since the start of the 2018 season. When Alex Cora took over as manager before that season, Rodriguez was one of the players he challenged to be better.

That process included occasional public scoldings that Rodriguez didn’t appreciate, and their relationship was frosty at times. But now Rodriguez is a front-of-the-rotation starter who Cora often holds up as an example to others.

It’s never been a question of talent. Rodriguez has one of the best changeups in the game and a fastball that Tuesday topped out at 94.8 miles per hour.

It seemed like it was always foolish little things that would trip him up. Rodriguez was a poor fielder who sometimes forgot to hold runners. Or he’d ruin a potentially quick inning with a walk and then trouble would start.

Now you see the focus that allows a pitcher to win 20 games or throw 200-plus innings, which Rodriguez did for the first time in 2019 and very badly wants to accomplish again.

The Red Sox scored four runs in the fourth inning Tuesday, sending eight batters to the plate. Rodriguez came back out for the fifth and recorded three outs on 14 pitches to get his teammates back to the bat rack.

Rodriguez pitched like that all game, working fast and getting ahead. He has two walks in 16 innings this season.

That kind of crisp tempo was never part of his game until the second half of the ’19 season. Pitching coach Dave Bush has made that a priority for all of the staff this season.

Baseball, as we all know, can plod along. But when the starting pitcher sets the pace and controls the flow of the game, his teammates almost invariably benefit.

“It benefits all of us,” Cora said. “It’s something that is very important. His stuff is that good. You have to give him credit, his stuff is that good. He’s evolved into one of the best lefties in the league.

“He attacks the zone with good stuff and the tempo is magnificent. He has a good feel of what he wants to do.”

Cora pushed Rodriguez a bit, sending him out for the seventh inning having already thrown 88 pitches. Randal Grichuk led off with a home run and Cora came out to get his starter.

The knowledgeable crowd of 4,728 gave Rodriguez an ovation as he came back to the dugout. This time, the bullpen held on.

“Every time I go out there, I just enjoy what I do, every pitch that I throw,” Rodriguez said.

That Rodriguez worked deep into the game and maintained his velocity was important. He’s the only pitcher to miss a full season after a COVID-related illness and the training staff is closely monitoring his conditioning and energy.

Rodriguez has promised them he’ll be honest. Through three starts, it’s all positive.

The Sox have won 42 of the 50 games Rodriguez has started since 2019, including 17 of the last 20. As Chris Sale recovers from Tommy John surgery, Eddie’s their ace.

“It’s been pretty nice to see,” said Xander Bogaerts, whose three-run home in the fourth inning gave Rodriguez all the support he needed. “We’re enjoying the moment and hopefully we can continue it for a long time.”

April has been anything but cruel for the Bruins, Celtics, and Red Sox

Dan Shaughnessy

It is April of 2021 and the pandemic is reluctant to loosen its grip, but things are looking better for three local sports teams who are in season.

Bruins. Celtics. Red Sox.

So good. So good. So good.

Where it began, I can’t begin to knowing … but it happened in the first week of this proverbially cruelest month.

Look it up.

Just a few weeks ago, the Bruins were stumbling along, unable to beat the Islanders and getting shut out by the Devils on Boston Garden ice. David Pastrnak couldn’t score, and there was noise about perhaps being sellers at the NHL trade deadline.

Then, general manager Don Sweeney made deals for Taylor Hall, Curtis Lazar, and Mike Reilly. The B’s are 4-0 since those trades, and 7-2-1 since April 2. They handled the nasty and formidable Washington Capitals at the Garden on Sunday and are 6 points behind the division leaders with three games in hand.

Tuukka Rask is back between the pipes, though rookie goalie Jeremy Swayman has been Drydenesque in Rask’s absence, and it feels like the Bruins could be in for a long playoff run.

Meanwhile, the (deservedly) much-maligned Celtics have won a season-high six consecutive games and eight of nine entering Monday’s game with Chicago. The streak comes after months of uneven play, lowlighted by a beatdown at home against the Pelicans when fans first returned to the Garden and had no choice but to boo the locals.

Things got so bad that Kendrick Perkins called out Jayson Tatum on Twitter after a home loss to the Sixers. Tatum was motivated to call Perk for advice and responded with his best play of the season, including a Larry Bird-like Western trip.

While Tatum picked up his pace, Brad Stevens wasn’t interested in a reported $70 million offer to coach Indiana University, Kemba Walker finally played like the player he was in Charlotte, and the C’s suddenly are in strong position to secure the coveted No. 4 seed in the playoffs. They play a relatively easy schedule the final month of the regular season. Fans like them again.

Finally, we have the division-leading Red Sox, who won nine straight games after an 0-3 start and Monday erupted for six first-inning runs against White Sox ace Lucas Giolito en route to an 11-4 victory. The blowout gave the Sox a four-game split with Tony La Russa’s much-touted Pale Hose and put the Red Sox a full five games ahead of the (5-10) Yankees, who are off to their worst start in 24 years.

The surprising Red Sox have been the feel-good story of our sports spring thus far. With more than 10 percent of their schedule played, there is hope they can contend into the summer, which is all we ask out of any baseball season. The Red Sox are 11-3 since April 5.

Collectively, that makes the three Boston teams 26-6-1 since the first week of April. Good karma for everybody. It makes me think the Patriots have a chance to come away with a real quarterback in the NFL Draft on April 29. The 7-9 Patriots at this hour are the only sub-.500 team in our midst.

Predicting the next championship from our four major teams is a popular New England parlor game, and the debate is wide open again. Tom Brady and the Patriots inspired our last duck boat parade in February 2019, but the music died that June when Brad Marchand skated off the ice too soon at the end of period one of Game 7 against the Blues in the Garden.

This means Boston is working on a championship “drought” of 26 months — not much, when you consider that the region went from June 1986 (Celtics) to February 2002 (Patriots) in the “Loserville” days of Victor Kiam, Butch Hobson, Rick Pitino, and Steve Kasper benching Cam Neely.

The Bruins should be able to continue their winning ways with three games against the pathetic Sabres this week. The Celtics have tough games with Phoenix and Brooklyn on Thursday and Friday. The Red Sox will be home all week against the (7-9) Blue Jays and Mariners, who went 95-127 the last two years.

It adds up to so … much … winning. Almost as if there’s nothing to complain about. I think it has me a little off my game.

Super League implodes as Fenway Sports Group-owned Liverpool, other English teams pull out

Michael Silverman

Liverpool Football Club decided it is not cut out to play the role of a rebel after all.

The Boston-owned football club executed an abrupt 180 and, along with the other English Premier League teams involved, deserted a bold European Super League plan it had been a proud signatory to less than 48 hours earlier.

Those two days featured a decidedly one-sided and fiercely hostile reception from anyone besides the 12 founding members — the six from England, plus three each from Spain and Italy.

Fans, managers, players, football governing bodies, and governments offered virtually no support for the plan. The reaction among Liverpool fans was particularly livid against its Fenway Sports Group ownership, which was perceived as acting out of its own self-interest and greed.

The Super League’s stated goals were addressing economic injustices and inequities in European football, some of those issues created by the pandemic. Guaranteed yearly entry in a prestigious and lucrative tournament, however, as the Super League plan promised for its founding members, flew in the face of a fanbase rooted in working class values, and the notion that hard work means more than status and heritage.

Like its 11 other partners, Liverpool did not consult with its fans, coaches, or players in formulating the plan, which received initial and significant backing from American-based banking giant J.P. Morgan and initial interest from global broadcasters.

In a short, opaque and unsigned statement on its website, Liverpool waved the white flag.

“Liverpool Football Club can confirm that our involvement in proposed plans to form a European Super League has been discontinued,” it read, continuing to note the backlash. “In recent days, the club has received representations from various key stakeholders, both internally and externally, and we would like to thank them for their valuable contributions.”

A request for comment from Liverpool leadership — which includes FSG principal owner John Henry, who also owns Boston Globe Media Partners — did not receive an immediate response.

Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham, and Chelsea all released similar statements on Tuesday. Following that, as well as Italy’s Inter Milan also departing according to reports, a top Super League official confirmed to the New York Times the entire project had been suspended.

A statement purportedly from the league’s remaining founders said in part that “we shall consider the most appropriate steps to reshape the project, always having in mind our goals of offering fans the best experience possible while enhancing solidarity payments for the entire football community.”

It further noted a preliminary ruling from a Spanish mercantile court judge — on request of the Super League — stopping world soccer body FIFA and European organizer UEFA from taking any immediate action or making statements against the plan.

“We are convinced our proposal is fully aligned with European law and regulations,” it said.

It further emphasizes the concept of the Super League has reared its head before and could one day again, given how many of the sport’s superpowers believe they do not receive appropriate shares of the considerable revenues their sport generates on the European continent.

The Super League would have provided a consistent, reliable gusher of annual revenues to its 15 founding members, who would be joined by five other clubs who would have to earn their way in each year.

John Henry apologizes to Liverpool fans and employees for involvement in failed Super League

Michael Silverman

John Henry issued a video apology to fans and employees of the Liverpool Football Club early Wednesday morning, saying he alone as principal owner was responsible for thrusting the team into the ill-conceived and now abandoned European Super League project.

In a video accompanying the text of a letter posted on the LFC website, the principal owner of Fenway Sports Group sat in a down vest and plaid shirt with a bouquet of yellow and purple flowers behind him, speaking directly to the camera about his mistakes that sparked a revolt from the historic club’s diehard fanbase.

“I’m sorry, and I alone am responsible for the unnecessary negativity brought forward over the past couple of days,” said Henry, who also owns the Boston Globe. “It’s something I won’t forget. And shows the power the fans have today and will rightly continue to have.”

Henry made it clear that it was the fans’ angry protests which dealt the plan its death blow.

The concept for a 20-team annual tournament that guaranteed bountiful revenues for its 15 founding members was also greeted with disdain from coaches, including Liverpool’s own Jurgen Klopp, players and the sport’s powerful governing bodies, who threatened to kick out clubs and ban their players from international competitions.

Henry apologized to Klopp, CEO Billy Hogan, other employees, and the players.

“They have absolutely no responsibility for this disruption,” said Henry. “They were the most disrupted and unfairly so. This is what hurts most. They love your club and work to make you proud every single day.”

Henry conceded the plan was dead on arrival.

“It goes without saying but should be said that the project put forward was never going to stand without the support of the fans. No one ever thought differently in England. Over these 48 hours you were very clear that it would not stand. We heard you. I heard you.”

Before one last apology, Henry moved to a more upbeat note, signaling that the club is not done striving to improve.

“I know the entire LFC team has the expertise, leadership, and passion necessary to rebuild trust and help us move forward. More than a decade ago when we signed up for the challenges associated with football, we dreamed of what you dreamed of. And we’ve worked hard to improve your club. Our work isn’t done. And I hope you’ll understand that even when we make mistakes, we’re trying to work in your club’s best interests. In this endeavour I’ve let you down.”

Wrapping up, Henry again spoke to the fans and promised them he would never forget what they mean to his team and every team.

“If there’s one thing this horrible pandemic has clearly shown, it’s how crucial fans are to our sport and to every sport. It’s shown in every empty stadium. It’s been an incredibly tough year for all of us; virtually no- one unaffected. It’s important that the Liverpool football family remains intact, vital and committed to what we’ve seen from you globally, with local gestures of kindness and support. I can promise you I will do whatever I can to further that.

“Thanks for listening.”

* The Boston Herald

Eduardo Rodriguez shines again as Red Sox top Blue Jays, 4-2

Jason Mastrodonato

The Red Sox are riding high in first place and still uncovering new things to get excited about.

The latest: Eduardo Rodriguez is getting better with every start.

Tuesday, he touched 95 mph for the first time since Sept. 24, 2019 while holding the Toronto Blue Jays to just two runs on three hits over six-plus innings.

He finished with six strikeouts as the Red Sox (12-6) took a 4-2 win against the Jays (7-10).

“Being able to throw 95 mph today, I feel really good,” Rodriguez said. “I feel really good with everything, all my pitches, changeup, everything was working really good. Just keep working. I feel like my body is right where it has to be. Velocity is going to get back at some point and now I know it’s back.”

Manager Alex Cora gave Rodriguez a little bit of extra rope after six dominant innings and sent him back out for the seventh.

At that point, Rodriguez had given up just two hits, both to Bo Bichette. The rest of the Jays’ lineup was 0- for-18. But on the second pitch of the inning, Randal Grichuk hammered a hanging breaking ball for a home run to left, ending Rodriguez’s night on a low note.

He was otherwise terrific, with his hardest fastball in almost two years and a changeup that continues to look like one of the best in the game. He mixed in a few cutters, sliders and sinkers, too, generating at least one swing and miss on each of his five different pitches.

“You saw the velocity today, right?” Cora said. “The velocity was up. I don’t know at the end how it balances out, but I saw some 95s, 96, some four-seamers up in the zone. He’s still looking for that two- seamer to put guys away, the comebacker. He’s left some of them over the heart of the plate. Overall, you can see him, stamina-wise and control-wise, he’s a lot better.

“The cutter, it’s playing better, although the one he threw to Bichette, it looked more like a hanging slider, it was a big one. He wanted to throw it harder. It was one mistake and the kid just put a good swing on it. I do believe velocity is getting there, so that’s a good sign. Separation between the fastball and the changeup, that’s what makes him great.”

After missing the entire 2020 season when he caught the coronavirus in July and suffered through myocarditis, a heart condition that prevented him from walking for a period of time, Rodriguez is looking better each time out.

“After everything I went through last year, I was just thinking about getting on the mound again,” he said. “After the last three starts, I just enjoy what I do. Enjoy every pitch I throw, everything all the time. I just enjoy right now.”

Through three starts against the Orioles, Twins and Blue Jays in the books, Rodriguez has thrown 16 innings with 18 strikeouts, two walks, 12 hits and a 3.38 ERA.

The takeaways:

1. Xander Bogaerts is on the board. Facing Hyun Jin Ryu, one of the best lefties in the American League, the Red Sox stacked their lineup with nine right-handed hitters. A calling card of the Red Sox this year has been taking their singles, as Christian Arroyo and J.D. Martinez did when they began the fourth inning with a pair of base hits. Bogaerts stepped up and got a 1-2 fastball high-and-tight that he quickly turned on and sent flying over the Green Monster for a three-run shot. It was Bogaerts’ first home run of the year. The shortstop had a big smile on his face as Kevin Plawecki pushed him through the dugout in the laundry cart afterward. Bogaerts is now hitting .393.

2. Bobby Dalbec is starting to look comfortable at the dish. Monday, he drew a 14-pitch walk, the longest plate appearance in MLB this season. Tuesday, he was able to ignore some bad pitches and control the strike zone with confidence in a 2-for-3 performance at the plate. He even hammered a curveball into the triangle for his first triple of the year.

3. Arroyo is on fire. The out-of-nowhere story of the year for the Red Sox so far, Arroyo got another start at second base, this time hitting in the two-hole, and went 3-for-4 with a double, his seventh double of the year. He’s now hitting .357 and has become an everyday player in Cora’s lineup.

Red Sox Notebook: Chris Sale has yet to throw off a mound

Jason Mastrodonato

Chris Sale still hasn’t thrown off a mound, Red Sox manager Alex Cora said on Tuesday.

“We do believe it’s getting there, it’s getting closer,” Cora said.

Sale, the Red Sox’ star lefty who is recovering from Tommy John surgery he had last March, is in his 13th month post-surgery and seems to be on the slow slide of a typical recovery.

In comparison, the Mets’ Noah Syndergaard, who had Tommy John around the same time as Sale, was throwing off a mound in spring training and he’s expected back around mid-June. Sale would appear to be months behind him.

“He’s going to Fort Myers on Sunday,” Cora said. “He’s going down there to keep his rehab. I had a good conversation with him. He’s not on the mound yet, but he feels like everything is going the right way now. He feels a lot stronger, the progression is going the right way. He’s doing so good, that probably one step back will benefit him, because he doesn’t want to rush into it.”

Cora returns after COVID-19 scare

As of Tuesday afternoon, the Red Sox were unsure who their manager was going to be for their series opener against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Cora did his pregame press conference from home as he waited for the results of a COVID-19 test.

“I’m good,” he said. “We’re just waiting for one more step of protocol. I’m healthy, I’m not sick, but there was a situation last night and we have to go through the whole thing and we’re just waiting on one more step and hopefully I can be at Fenway.”

Cora was cleared just hours before the game and was in the dugout to manage his club.

He said one of his previous tests “didn’t go the way it should’ve gone, but I’ve been tested for the last 24 hours and things are trending in the right direction.”

Blue Jays represent a good test

The Sox were ready for a big test Tuesday night against Blue Jays ace Hyun Jin Ryu.

Ryu has been a top-three finisher for the Cy Young Award in each of the last two seasons and sported a pretty 1.89 ERA heading into the series.

The Red Sox have once again struggled against left-handed pitching. They entered the series hitting .263 with a .728 OPS vs. lefties as opposed to a .299 average and .858 OPS against righties.

The Sox stacked their lineup with nine right-handed hitters in attempt to hit Ryu. Alex Verdugo, Rafael Devers and Franchy Cordero were all on the bench to start the game.

“You’re going to run into stretches like this, that you’re going to face the best of the best, and you have to grind it out,” Cora said. “Sometimes … it’s easier to buy into the game planning. Don’t try to do too much, go the other other way. When it’s the ace of the other staff, it seems like guys buy into it constantly.”

The Jays were a trendy pick to make the playoffs this season after acquiring Ryu last year as well as George Springer, Marcus Semien and a handful of bullpen pieces ahead of this year. But they entered Tuesday just 7-9 and in fourth place in the American League East.

Springer has yet to play a game after hurting his oblique in spring training and a more recent strain to his quad that is expected to keep him out most of April, at least.

“They have a great team,” Cora said. “They made it to the playoffs last year. They’re not at full strength, no Teoscar (Hernandez), no George. I do believe George is going to be a force in that lineup having that dynamic leadoff hitter — well, I’m not sure how they’re going to use him — but just having George in that lineup is going to make a difference. Semien is a good player. The other kids did an outstanding job last year throughout the season.

“It took them a while, but it feels like that young talent is finally all together. They spent some money, they actually tried hard to get some other guys, it just didn’t happen, but as an organization they’re in a good spot.”

A friendly wave

When Cordero collected his first hit as a member of the Red Sox, he got to second base and waved to his teammates in the dugout.

It was unscripted and impulsive, and it’s led to most of the Sox players doing the same thing after most of their hits.

“Teams always do something, right?” Cora said. “And I think Enrique (Hernandez) saw it and he followed the lead, and it’s becoming a thing. … It’s comradery. You’ve got to make it fun, and they’ve been having fun with it. They’ve got the cart in the dugout, and now they’re waving at each other. It’s a fun group. It’s fun to watch, and we enjoy it.”

Red Sox should be thrilled Eduardo Rodriguez looks this good, this soon

Jason Mastrodonato

Alex Cora, Eduardo Rodriguez and Chris Sale.

They were the three missing links.

As terrible, boring, lifeless, non-competitive and downright embarrassing as the 2020 Red Sox were, they were missing all three of those guys.

Let’s check in with the current crew on Jersey Street.

Cora is back, if you haven’t noticed from the Sox’ 12-6 start, which puts them on pace to win 108 games, the same total they won in 2018.

Sale is the big question mark. His recovery from Tommy John surgery is taking a while and his timetable is still unknown. Here’s a guess: chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom will call it the team’s best trade deadline acquisition when Sale finally returns in August.

That brings us to Rodriguez, who is becoming must-watch TV every five days, if only to remember that yes, there is light at the end of the pandemic tunnel.

Rodriguez got COVID-19 in a bad way, coming down with a case of myocarditis that kept him from walking and confined to his bed while his teammates were getting blown out at Fenway Park all summer.

Here he is a year later and he looks as good as ever (and he’s not even that good yet).

Tuesday, the Sox’ 4-2 win over the Blue Jays marked Rodriguez’s best of his three starts this year.

Until this game, he hadn’t thrown a pitch as hard as 95 mph since Sept. 24, 2019. At that time, he was touching 96 mph in most of his starts, 97 mph occasionally and, in previous years, had hit 98 mph.

“Being able to throw 95 today, I feel really good,” he said. “I feel like my body is right where it has to be. Velocity is going to get back at some point and now I know it’s back. After I throw 95, now I just have to keep working and I want to keep having 95 mph in all innings I go out there, not just the first inning.”

Cora, too, was paying attention to the radar gun.

“You saw the velocity today, right?” he said. “The velocity was up. I don’t know at the end how it balances out, but I saw some 95s, 96s, some four-seamers up in the zone.”

At one point Rodriguez was blowing 92- and 93-mph fastballs by some of the Jays’ best hitters. In a time when big leaguers are hitting triple digits in their sleep, it was remarkable to watch this guy use low-90s heaters like high-90s gas.

It all starts with Rodriguez’s changeup, typically considered one of the best in baseball. It’s good, as always, but it’s not as good as it usually is. His whiff rate on the pitch is just 27%, down from about 35- 40% in a normal year. Because his velocity hasn’t been there, it’s naturally going to make it easier for hitters to sit on off-speed.

“I do believe velocity is getting there, so that’s a good sign,” Cora said. “Separation between the fastball and the changeup, that’s what makes him great.”

And yet, opponents haven’t had much success. They’re hitting .188 off the changeup. Overall, he’s allowed just 13 hits in 16 innings.

“And he’s still looking for that two-seamer to put guys away,” Cora said. “He’s left some of them over the heart of the plate.

“Overall, you can see him, stamina-wise and control-wise, he’s a lot better. The cutter, it’s playing better, although the one he threw to (Bo Bichette, who took him deep), it looked more like a hanging slider. It was a big one. He wanted to throw it harder. It was one mistake and the kid just put a good swing on it.”

Rodriguez was clearly feeling good about himself postgame, because he was able to laugh about the Bichette homer, which was hit about 380 feet, but looked like it went twice that far as it sailed over everything in left field.

“I tried to throw a cutter up and in and I think it stayed a little over the plate and he destroyed that ball, to be honest with you guys,” Rodriguez said. “He really hit that ball really hard. When he was at third base, I told him, ‘bro, how’d you hit that ball that hard?’”

Randal Grichuk added a solo shot off him in the seventh inning to end his night, but Rodriguez dazzled: six-plus innings, three hits, two runs, one walk, six strikeouts.

In three starts, he’s got a 3.38 ERA and one of lowest walk rates in the majors (2.5%).

All without his best stuff, which continues to get better.

The Red Sox have their manager back. They’re hoping to get their ace back. And right now, they’ve got a pretty darn good No. 2 starter who is getting better each time out.

Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts shares thoughts on Super League after John Henry’s Liverpool FC withdraws

Jason Mastrodonato

Xander Bogaerts laughed at what he was wearing.

After hitting his first home run of the season, a three-run shot that led the Red Sox to a 4-2 win over the Blue Jays on Tuesday night, Bogaerts appeared on Zoom for a post-game press conference while sporting a Liverpool FC jersey.

“Total coincidence for this shirt, just so you guys know,” he said, chuckling.

Earlier that day, Liverpool FC, also owned by John Henry’s Fenway Sports Group, announced it was withdrawing from a proposed soccer format in Europe called the Super League.

Bogaerts was asked for his thoughts.

“I don’t know, man,” he said. “I heard a couple of the teams were going in that different league. Because in the beginning I didn’t have much information about that. But, I think I heard some rumors they’re going to stop it as of now. I hadn’t read that part yet.

“I don’t play soccer but I like it the way it is. Why would you put so many of those awesome teams to be in one league? I saw one of the guys say the other day, it’s special when Liverpool plays Real Madrid maybe one time a year, or one time every four years in the Champions League. But now you’re going to play them every year? It’s kind of like – it’s more special if it happens occasionally.”

Clearly, Bogaerts wasn’t alone in his thinking.

A controversial idea as soon as it was announced, the Super League intended to pull together some of the best clubs in Europe to play on a regular basis. It was written off as a cash grab by its critics, and some teams quickly withdrew from the format.

“Liverpool Football Club can confirm that our involvement in proposed plans to form a European Super League has been discontinued,” Liverpool FC announced on Tuesday afternoon. “In recent days, the club has received representations from various key stakeholders, both internally and externally, and we would like to thank them for their valuable contributions.”

Late Tuesday, reports indicated the Super League was going to be suspended after more top teams followed suit.

Bogaerts has always been a soccer fan. Growing up in Aruba, he played goalie as a kid before giving up the sport to focus on baseball. But he still loves the game, often wears soccer jerseys around the locker room and occasionally brings a soccer ball onto the baseball field during pregame warm-ups.

John Henry apologizes to Liverpool FC fans after Super League debacle: ‘I’ve let you down’

Steve Hewitt

Red Sox and Liverpool FC owner John Henry issued an apology Wednesday in the wake of Liverpool’s controversial involvement in the proposal for a European Super League, which the club backed out of Tuesday following strong fan backlash.

In a video posted via Liverpool’s social media channels, Henry said he was solely responsible for the negative reaction. On Sunday, Liverpool were one of 12 founding clubs to announce its intentions to break away from the sport’s system and tradition to form a Super League made up of the biggest teams in Europe, but the idea immediately faced overwhelming opposition.

On Tuesday, Liverpool — along with the other five English clubs involved in the project — announced its withdrawal from the Super League.

Here’s what Henry said in his video apology:

“I want to apologize to all the fan supporters of Liverpool Football Club for the disruption I caused over the past 48 hours. It goes without saying but should be said that the project put forward was never going to stand without the support of the fans. No one ever thought differently in England. Over these 48 hours, you were very clear that it would not stand. We heard you. I heard you.

“And I want to apologize to (manager) Jurgen (Klopp), to (chief executive officer) Billy (Hogan), to the players, to everyone who works so hard at LFC to make our fans proud. They have absolutely no responsibility for this disruption. They were the most disrupted, and unfairly so. This is what hurts most. They love your club and work to make you proud every single day. I know the entire LFC team has the expertise, leadership and passion necessary to rebuild trust and help us move forward.

“More than a decade ago, when we signed up for the challenges associated with football, we dreamed of what you dreamed of, and we’ve worked hard to improve your club. Our work isn’t done. And I hope you’ll understand that even when we make mistakes, we’re trying to work in your club’s best interests. In this endeavor, I’ve let you down. Again, I’m sorry and I alone am responsible for the unnecessary negativity brought forward over the past couple of days. It’s something I won’t forget and shows the power the fans have today and will rightly continue to have. If there’s one thing this horrible pandemic has clearly shown, it’s how crucial fans are to our sport and to every sport. It’s shown in every empty stadium.

“It’s been an incredibly tough year for all of us, virtually no one unaffected. It’s important that the Liverpool football family remain intact, vital and committed to what we’ve seen from you globally with local gestures of kindness and support. I can promise you I will do whatever I can to further that. Thanks for listening.”

Henry, the principal owner of the Red Sox since 2002, took over Liverpool FC with Fenway Sports Group in 2010. He’s helped lead the club to recent success, which included winning the Champions League in 2019 and the Premier League title in 2020 under Klopp, who was hired in 2015.

* The Providence Journal

COVID test nearly sidelined Cora on Tuesday

Bill Koch

Alex Cora was not at Fenway Park while he conducted his regular pregame press conference on Tuesday.

The Red Sox manager was wearing street clothes in his suburban Boston living room, and there was no guarantee he would take charge for the first of two matchups with the Blue Jays.

Cora was awaiting final clearance through the COVID-19 health and safety protocols. He returned a non- infectious positive result over the weekend and tested negative during each subsequent attempt. Cora’s situation was similar to that of Matt Barnes during spring training. The Red Sox closer was ultimately cleared to return immediately after avoiding JetBlue Park for a couple of days.

“We’re just waiting for one more step on protocols,” Cora said. “I’m healthy. I’m not sick. There was a situation last night, so we had to go through the whole thing.”

Cora was spotted near the dugout about two hours prior to first pitch. Bench coach Will Venable was in line to lead Boston for the first time if Cora hadn’t received clearance. Barnes and eight members of the organization — players and staff members — were held out of action over the final weekend of Grapefruit League play before being allowed to resume workouts and coaching duties.

“It’s just some testing that didn’t go the way it should have gone,” Cora said. “I’ve been tested for the last 24 hours and things are trending in the right direction.”

Cora is scheduled for his second vaccination shot on Wednesday. He will be joined by a second group of Red Sox players and staff members in receiving an immunization. Several Boston players received shots following Monday’s victory over the White Sox, including Barnes, Christian Vazquez, Nathan Eovaldi and Hirokazu Sawamura.

Like father, like...

Toronto’s lineup on Tuesday featured four sons of who could be considered baseball royalty.

Bo Bichette, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Cavan Biggio occupied four of the top six spots in the order for the Bue Jays. Their fathers include two Hall of Fame inductees, a 22-time gold medalist with the Cuban national team and a former Red Sox outfielder who cracked 274 career home runs and 1,906 career hits.

“They are where they want to be,” Cora said. “It took them a while, but that young talent is finally all together. They spent some money. They actually tried hard to get some other guys.”

Craig Biggio and Vladimir Guerrero were honored at Cooperstown in 2015 and 2018, respectively. Lourdes Gurriel was part of the 1992 Olympic champions in Barcelona and six Baseball World Cup winners. Dante Bichette played the final 137 games of his career in Boston, slashing .287/.328/.473 with 35 doubles, 19 home runs and 63 RBI.

Cora’s own examples in the game were his late father, Jose, and his older brother, Joey, who debuted in 1987 and played 11 seasons. Cora was just 11 years old when his brother played in his first game with the Padres and broke in with the Dodgers the same year his brother retired in 1998.

“I always said my favorite player was Roberto Alomar, but my role model was Joey Cora,” Cora said. “He was sleeping in my own house and eating the same meals as me and he was a big-leaguer. I didn’t have to look outside my house for that guy to follow his footsteps.

“Imagine having a dad who’s one of the best players in the history of the game?”

Sale on the mend

Chris Sale is set to take the next step in his rehab process.

The Red Sox left-hander will report back to Fort Myers on Sunday. Sale played catch on the field prior to Tuesday’s game and has stretched out beyond 120 feet. He’s nearing 13 months out from Tommy John surgery and could be on the mound soon.

“He’s not on the mound yet but he feels like everything is going the right way now,” Cora said. “He feels a lot stronger and the progression is going the right way.”

Sale last pitched for Boston in August 2019 and is in the second year of a contract extension that runs through 2024. He suffered a pair of setbacks during the offseason, dealing with neck stiffness and a bout of COVID-19. Sale traveled north with the team after spring training but will return to his home just a short drive from the Red Sox spring complex.

“Mentally he’s in a great place,” Cora said. “Physically he feels great. Now it’s just a matter of when he’s going to get on the mound and go from there.”

Say hello to the waving Red Sox

Bill Koch

Red Sox center fielder Franchy Cordero waves to the Boston dugout after his RBI double on April 5 against the Tampa Bay Rays. Cordero's greeting has caught on with his new teammates this season. There is a certain joy among the Red Sox at the moment.

It’s easy to be happy when you’re winning. Boston captured 11 of its first 17 games heading into Tuesday night’s matchup with the Toronto Blue Jays. The limited fans returning to Fenway Park have been treated to a far different display than they would have witnessed in a dismal 2020.

Home runs are celebrated with a dugout ride in a laundry cart. Those scenes have been blasted out via the team’s social media accounts and NESN broadcasts through the first three weeks of the regular season. But it’s a smaller gesture, one far more frequent, that seems to have taken a greater hold.

The wave.

No, not the kind in which fans rise in practiced rhythm around the grandstands. Red Sox players can be spotted waving to the dugout following a base hit or from second base. It’s simple, loose and uniquely their own, and it started in an April 5 game against the Rays.

“It’s something cool,” Boston manager Alex Cora said. “It’s camaraderie. You’ve got to make it fun, and they’re having fun with it.

“They’ve got the cart in the dugout and now they’re waving at each other. Like I said, it’s a fun group. It’s fun to watch. We’re enjoying it.”

Franchy Cordero was off to an 0-for-5 start following his acquisition from the Royals in a three-team February trade that also included the Mets. He hit a fly ball to left field that scraped the Green Monster, rattling off the top of the scoreboard. Boston plated its first of five runs against Tampa Bay starter Michael Wacha in what wound up being an 11-2 victory.

Cordero raced into second base with a double, looked back toward his teammates and raised his right hand. He then reached down to unstrap the padded guard covering his right ankle and foot. It was a brief gesture that lasted barely a second but caught on quickly.

“Teams always do something, right?” Cora said. “I think Enrique (Hernandez) saw it and he followed the lead, and it’s becoming a thing.

“Yesterday I was actually waving to my kids after the game. My kids were up there and I was waving at them. It wasn’t that I got a hit or a double.”

The Red Sox have had plenty of practice thus far. They entered this two-game set with Toronto first in the big leagues in batting average, runs scored, doubles, on-base percentage, OPS and total bases. They plan to continue what has now become a ritual despite not every player knowing how or why it started.

“I honestly have no idea,” first baseman Bobby Dalbec said. “I just do it when I get on base. I think we just started it and it’s kind of sticking. But I love it.”

There was little joy to be found during last year’s 60-game march to infamy. Boston’s personal interactions were necessarily limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and its performance on the field did nothing to generate any goodwill. The Red Sox finished just 24-36, sinking to the bottom of the American League East.

Cora’s rehire in the offseason was designed to give Boston a jolt, and the signings of players like Hernandez and Marwin Gonzalez brought some veteran credibility. There was a concerted effort at spring training to change the tone, and it’s carried into the games that count.

“It’s a really fun group to be around,” Dalbec said. “Everyone is always working, always talking about what’s going on — who we’re playing that day. But keeping it light at the same time.

“It’s a fun team to be on right now – fun clubhouse. It’s a good group.”

David Ortiz took flying leaps toward his waiting teammates at the plate in 2004 and 2007. Mike Napoli and Jonny Gomes tugged on beards with impish glee in 2013. Win, dance and repeat was retired by 2018, but it was the still the young Boston outfield that helped power the club to a fourth World Series title this century.

Finding success at the end of 2021 could prove as simple as waving hello.

Liverpool, Red Sox owner John Henry issues Super League apology

Bill Koch

Describing his dalliance with a failed European Super League as “the disruption I caused,” John Henry issued an apology to Liverpool fans, manager Jurgen Klopp, CEO Billy Hogan and the club’s players early Wednesday morning.

The principal owner of Liverpool Football Club and the Red Sox through his Fenway Sports Group posted a video statement to the official Twitter account @LFC. Henry spoke for just shy of two and a half minutes, expressing his regrets for a scheme that threw European football into two days of chaos.

“It goes without saying, but should be said, that the project put forward was never going to stand without the support of the fans,” Henry said. “No one ever thought differently in England.”

Liverpool were one of six English clubs poised to break ranks with the Champions League and establish a permanent continental schedule that featured no qualification process. Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham also signed on. The project was met with near universal condemnation from fans and pundits alike, with several current and former Liverpool players speaking out against it.

“Over these 48 hours you were very clear that it would not stand,” Henry said. “We heard you. I heard you. And I want to apologize to Jurgen, to Billy, to the players, and to everyone who worked so hard at LFC to make our fans proud.”

Klopp was left fuming while answering questions about the Super League before and after the club’s 1-1 draw at Leeds United on Monday. Liverpool’s luxury coach to Elland Road was met by protestors calling players and staff members scum and traitors for being part of a club connected with the Super League plans. So much of Liverpool’s history and current commercial value comes thanks to the six European championships it has captured, the most recent coming in 2019.

“I alone am responsible for the unnecessary negativity brought forward over the past couple of days,” Henry said. “It’s something I won’t forget. It shows the power fans have today and rightly will continue to have.”

Club captain Jordan Henderson, city native Trent Alexander-Arnold and several other Liverpool players tweeted a united message expressing their displeasure with the project. Club legend Kenny Dalglish, a three-time European and six-time English league champion with Liverpool, also voiced his disapproval. Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, a member of the 2005 European champions and now a pundit on Sky Sports in England, questioned whether or not there was a way forward for Henry and his ownership group after such a grave misstep.

“Our work isn’t done,” Henry said. “And I hope you’ll understand that even when we make mistakes, we’re trying to work in your club’s best interests. In this endeavor, I’ve let you down.

“Again, I’m sorry.”

JP Morgan was retained to underwrite financing for the project, which was set to guarantee roughly $4.5 billion to the participants. Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Real Madrid, AC Milan, Inter Milan and Juventus made up the six European clubs who were prepared to join the English contingent. Chelsea and Manchester City were first to announce they were pulling out of the deal – the rest followed swiftly in kind.

“We don’t like it and we don’t want it to happen,” Henderson said in a statement. “This is our collective position. Our commitment to this football club and its supporters is absolute and unconditional.”

Henry and his former New England Sports Ventures purchased the club from fellow Americans Tom Hicks and George Gillett for $477 million in October 2010. Later rechristened FSG, Henry's ownership group resolved the club's outstanding debts and oversaw a decade of growth that included the capture of a first English title in 30 years in 2019-20. Forbes estimated Liverpool's current value at $4.1 billion as of April 2021.

Henry’s pursuits drew attention at Fenway Park following a 4-2 victory by the Red Sox against the Blue Jays on Tuesday night. Boston shortstop Xander Bogaerts thumped the deciding three-run homer and appeared at his postgame Zoom conference wearing a red Liverpool match jersey. Bogaerts insisted his wardrobe choice was coincidental but, as an avid European football fan, said he didn’t understand the need for such reforms to the continental order.

“I don’t play soccer, but I like it the way it is,” Bogaerts said. “Why would you put so many of those awesome teams in one league?

“I saw one of the guys say the other day it’s special when Liverpool plays Real Madrid maybe one time a year or one time every four years in the Champions League, but now you’re going to play them every year? It’s kind of more special if it happens occasionally.”

Henry in hot seat amid spate of withdrawals from planned Super League

Bill Koch

Red Sox fans demanding more attention be paid to their baseball team by John Henry could soon be getting their wish.

It’s hard to see a Liverpool future for him at the moment. The club’s principal owner is anything but in charge on Merseyside after a calamitous last 48 hours.

One of European football’s most storied clubs has disgraced itself, and it’s done so from the top down. Liverpool’s involvement in the renegade Super League and quick defection has done damage that will far outlive Tuesday’s inevitable withdrawal.

The two-paragraph release posted to the club’s official website contained no quotes from Fenway Sports Group. There was no apology made until Wednesday morning for an attempt to create a continental money machine featuring no formal method of qualification. It turns out the game’s fans revile folks who think their sport can be hijacked by some misguided notion of non-competitive birthright.

Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham — all of them, like Liverpool, will come back to the English league with their tails between their legs. United chairman Ed Woodward resigned under pressure, as did Juventus president Andrea Agnelli. It figures to be a considerable amount of time before we hear from either man again.

This initial decision to split some $4.5 billion among a host of breakaway clubs has been stopped cold. It’s rare to see European football factions unite this quickly, such is the tribal and parochial nature of the game. The Champions League, for all the consternation caused by its backers at UEFA and FIFA, looks squeaky clean by comparison.

Liverpool’s players crafted a statement tweeted out by two prominent members of the squad on Tuesday. Jordan Henderson took the captain’s armband from Steven Gerrard in June 2015 and was named the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year in 2019-20. Trent Alexander-Arnold grew up less than three miles from his current home stadium at Anfield and joined the club’s academy when he was 6.

“We don’t like it and we don’t want it to happen,” the statement read in part. “This is our collective position.”

No need to ask what “it” was. That would be akin to David Ortiz and Pedro Martinez questioning at the same time – while still active players – whether or not the Red Sox were in safe hands. Club legend Kenny Dalglish tweeted his own displeasure with the situation later Tuesday night.

Personal experience – something Henry couldn’t have possibly appreciated – informed their opinions. Henderson and Alexander-Arnold were among those aboard the team coach to Leeds United on Monday night. It was a bus ride that ended with protestors calling them scum and traitors while blocking the entrance to Elland Road.

Gerrard, a suburban Liverpool native like Alexander-Arnold, considered a move to Chelsea after a contract impasse in July 2005. He had just lifted the Champions League trophy with his boyhood club and ultimately concluded he couldn’t leave. The reason? He knew, even with his impeccable reputation and roots, that he and his family would be subjected to criticism for the rest of his days.

American sports fans are soft by comparison. They forgive. You can even convince some of them trading the likes of Mookie Betts is good and necessary business. Distracting them from your unpopular decisions with future success is generally all that’s required.

Henry and his fellow owners just assumed they’d be able to ram this through without enough resistance to bring it down. They’re not used to being told no. Some of them – the debt-ridden clubs like United and Barcelona or those with crushing new stadium payments like Tottenham and Atletico Madrid – face stark new realities due to the bleak global financial climate.

The true shame in all this? FSG had done so much good. Eliminating the club’s debts, refurbishing and expanding the stadium site at Anfield, hiring a brilliant manager in Jurgen Klopp, building an entertaining team, winning both English and Champions League titles – they were all tremendous triumphs. Each achievement seemed to disprove the long-held notion American ownership would fail to value club traditions, that it was ill-conceived at its core, that the corporate bottom line would come to mean more than anything else.

All of those doubts were ultimately proven true in one disastrous two-day period. There could be no recovering from it.

* MassLive.com

Xander Bogaerts hits first homer, Eduardo Rodriguez has triumphant return to Fenway mound as Boston Red Sox beat Blue Jays, 4-2

Chris Cotillo

BOSTON -- To be the best, you have to beat the best, and that’s what the Red Sox did against Blue Jays ace Hyun Jin Ryu on Tuesday night at Fenway Park.

Ryu was the latest top pitcher to fall victim to Boston’s offense this season, joining Tampa Bay’s Tyler Glasnow, Minnesota’s Jose Berrios and Chicago’s Lucas Giolito. The Red Sox tagged Ryu for four runs and eight hits in five innings and won, 4-2, in the opener of a two-game series.

Jays star shortstop Bo Bichette kicked off the scoring in the fourth, clearing the Green Monster with a solo homer off Red Sox starter Eduardo Rodriguez. The Red Sox, who had just two baserunners against Ryu through three innings, put together a four-run fourth to take the lead for good.

After Christian Arroyo and J.D. Martinez led off the inning with back-to-back singles, Xander Bogaerts put the Sox up 3-1 with a towering homer, his first of the season. Bobby Dalbec later drove in Marwin Gonzalez with an RBI triple to center field.

Rodriguez, making his first start at Fenway Park since Sept. 29, 2019, was strong once again, allowing two earned runs on three hits while striking out six in 6+ innings. Manager Alex Cora sent him back out for the seventh inning but pulled him after Randal Grichuk made it a 4-2 game with a solo homer of his own.

Matt Andriese, Adam Ottavino and Matt Barnes tossed scoreless innings for the Red Sox, who won their second straight game to improve to 12-6. After starting 0-3, the Red Sox have won 12 of their last 15 games.

Arroyo has 3-hit game

Arroyo was 3-for-4 with two singles and a double, raising his average to .357. The 25-year-old, somewhat surprisingly, has become the Sox’ primary second baseman early in the season.

Richards to pitch finale

Righty Garrett Richards (0-1, 6.00 ERA) will look to continue his strong stretch in the series finale against Toronto on Wednesday night. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. with righty Trent Thornton starting for the Blue Jays.

Boston will then welcome the Mariners to Fenway Park for a four-game series starting Thursday night.

Boston Red Sox notebook: AL Cy Young favorites no match for offense, Christian Arroyo has ‘earned the right’ to play more; Xander Bogaerts weighs in on Super League

Chris Cotillo

BOSTON -- So far in 2021, the Red Sox are playing the role of giant killers, at least when it comes to the best pitchers in the American League.

On Tuesday night, Boston’s offense beat Blue Jays ace Hyun Jin Ryu, tagging him for four runs on eight hits in a 4-2 win. Ryu was the latest top pitcher to lose to the Red Sox, who have consistently beat the league’s best to start the season.

So far, the Red Sox have won games against four of the top eight favorites (based on odds from DraftKings Sportsbook) for the 2021 American League Cy Young award. Boston has beaten Tampa Bay’s Tyler Glasnow (third), Chicago’s Lucas Giolito (fourth), Minnesota’s Kenta Maeda (sixth) and Jose Berrios (eighth) and now Ryu (seventh). The club hasn’t faced the other three pitchers in the top eight (Gerrit Cole, Shane Bieber and Lance Lynn); two Sox pitchers (Nathan Eovaldi and Eduardo Rodriguez) rank in the top 11.

Sox manager Alex Cora believes that facing the strong pitching staffs of the Rays, Twins and Braves throughout spring training helped prepare the Red Sox to face top starters early on.

“You’re going to run into stretches like this where you’re going to face the best of the best,” he said. “You have to grind it out. Sometimes — I don’t want to say it’s easier — but it’s easier to buy into the game- planning. Don’t try to do too much, go the other way. When it’s the ace of the other staff, it seems like guys buy into the concept. Sometimes — it’s not that they don’t buy into it, but it’s a lot easier to get off your plan when it’s like a No. 5 or a guy who doesn’t have plus-plus stuff or plus command.”

The Red Sox face the Mets next week, but it appears they may have caught a break. Back-to-back NL Cy Young award winner Jacob deGrom was supposed to face Boston on Wednesday night, but it now appears the Sox might miss him after he asked manager Luis Rojas to push his next start from Thursday to Friday.

“It’s the schedule,” Cora said. “I think we’ve done a good job against everybody offensively. We feel like we can score runs against anybody.”

Arroyo stays hot

Second baseman Christian Arroyo returned to the lineup Tuesday after missing Monday’s game and made an immediate impact, going 3-for-4 with a double and a run. Arroyo is now hitting .357 with a .910 OPS in 13 games this season.

At the end of spring training, Cora envisioned Arroyo having a bench role for the Red Sox with Kiké Hernández seeing the lion’s share of time at second base. But Arroyo’s performance has thrusted him into the starting role at second on most days and Hernández has spent most of his time in the outfield.

“We knew (Arroyo) was going to play, but he has earned the right to play a lot at that position,” Cora said. “With him playing there, we can move Marwin (Gonzalez) all over the place. He had a great day at shortstop yesterday. He saved a game in Minnesota at first base and he’s playing third base today. Enrique has been playing great center field. All of this stuff, we thought it was only two versatile guys — we always talk about Marwin and we always talk about Enrique — but actually, Christian has helped us make other decisions based on what he has been able to do at second base.”

Cora has loved what he has seen from Arroyo on both sides of the ball.

“At the plate, he’s doing well. He did an outstanding job in spring training,” Cora said. “But defensively, he has been amazing at second base. His range, his decisions, turning double plays, he has been really good.”

Dalbec waiting fo luck to turn

First baseman Bobby Dalbec hit an RBI triple in Tuesday’s win, finishing 2-for-3 to raise his average to .233. The prodigious slugger doesn’t have a home run yet this season and has struggled to get going through the first three weeks of the year.

Dalbec, who entered Tuesday ranking near the top of the majors in expected batting average, expected slugging percentage and barrel percentage, feels like he hasn’t had much luck so far. He has a point, according to Statcast.

“I feel like I’ve been hitting the ball hard and had some tough luck,” he said. “There have been days where I just don’t have it. Overall, I feel pretty good. I think numbers will show that I’ve had pretty poor luck but I can’t control that, so I’ve got to just keep working every day.”

Bogaerts weighs in on Super League

Shortstop Xander Bogaerts, who hit his first homer of the season in Tuesday’s win, sat down for his postgame Zoom availability wearing a Liverpool jersey. Before he started answering questions, he cautioned that his decision to wear the shirt was a “total coincidence” and was unrelated to the ongoing “Super League” controversy in Europe.

Bogaerts, an avid soccer fan, then weighed in on the issue when asked for his thoughts.

“I heard a couple of teams were going in that different league,” he said. “In the beginning, I didn’t know much information about that. I think I heard some rumors they’re going to stop it as of now. I haven’t read that part yet. I don’t play soccer, but I like it the way it is. Why would you put so many of those awesome teams to be in one league? I saw one of the guys say the other day, it’s special when like a Liverpool plays a Real Madrid. Maybe one time a year or one time every four years in the Champions League. Now you’re going to play them every year? It’s more special if it happens occasionally.”

Earlier Tuesday, Liverpool and five other English clubs pulled out of the proposed Super League, which is reportedly nearing collapse.

Cora views Jays as threat

The Blue Jays, who reached the postseason after going 32-28 in 2020, are considered a threat to play into October again in 2021. Cora is taking them seriously.

“They have a great team,” Cora said. “They made it to the playoffs last year.”

Toronto was one of baseball’s most aggressive teams over the winter, signing former Astros outfielder George Springer to a six-year, $150 million deal while adding infielder Marcus Semien and some other veterans to a young core of position players. Cora thinks the Jays will be a problem for the Red Sox for years to come.

“Just having George in that lineup is going to make a difference,” Cora said. “Semien is a good player. The other kids did an outstanding job last year throughout the season. They are where they want to be, right? It took them a while but it feels like that young talent is finally all together. They spent some money. They actually tried hard to get some other guys, it just didn’t happen. As an organization, they’re in a good spot.”

Boston Red Sox’s Eduardo Rodriguez has won first 3 starts after missing 2020: ‘He’s evolving into one of the best lefties in the league,’ Alex Cora says

Chris Cotillo

BOSTON -- Eduardo Rodriguez’s return to the mound for the Red Sox is no longer just a feel-good story. Rodriguez, once again, is asserting himself as the ace of Boston’s staff.

In his first home start since Sept. 29, 2019, the lefty pitched into the seventh inning against the Blue Jays on Tuesday night, allowing just three hits -- including two solo home runs -- and striking out six batters in a 4- 2 win. Rodriguez has won all three of his starts so far this season and owns a 3.38 ERA in 16 innings.

“He’s evolving into one of the best lefties in the league,” said manager Alex Cora. “He attacks the zone with good stuff. The tempo is magnificent. He slows the running game, too. He has a good feel of what he wants to do.”

Rodriguez, who finished sixth in the voting for the American League Cy Young award in 2019, looks like his old self after missing the entire 2020 season after developing a heart condition (myocarditis). So far, he has picked up right where he left off in 2019, when he won a career-high 19 games.

“I think he’s past the emotional side of it,” Cora said. “Not pitching last year and all that stuff. He’s locked in on what he has to do. He has been great for us in three starts.”

Using a quicker tempo and more aggressive attack plan, Rodriguez has struck out 18 batters while walking just two in three starts, largely dominating in all three outings. He pitched only five innings in each of his first two starts after beginning the season on the injured list with elbow inflammation but was let loose a bit against Toronto. Cora sent the lefty back out for the seventh inning but he didn’t last long; Randal Grichuk hit Rodriguez’s 90th and final pitch out of the ballpark to pull the Jays within two runs in an eventual 4-2 Red Sox win.

Rodriguez also showed increased velocity at points throughout his outing, flashing 95 mph with his fastball a couple times. According to Statcast, the lefty threw 30 four-seam fastballs, averaging 92.4 mph and maxing out at 94.8 mph.

“I feel like my body’s right where it has to be,” Rodriguez said. “Velocity was going to get back at some point and now I know it’s back. After I threw 95, I’ve just got to keep working and keep having the 95 (mph) all the innings I go out there. Not just the first inning.”

Remarkably, the Red Sox have won 80% of Rodriguez’s starts since the beginning of 2020, going 48-12 in his last 60 starts. They are 17-3 in the last 20 and have won the last seven.

“In 2019, he definitely was one of the best pitchers on our team and also in the game,” said shortstop Xander Bogaerts. “He was definitely top 10 in the game that year. That was kind of the year he put it all together.”

Rodriguez said he had chills before his season debut in Baltimore on April 8 and that he’s trying to enjoy each start after spending 2020 at home with an unprecedented medical issue. Taking the mound at Fenway Park for the first time in more than 18 months was meaningful to the 28-year-old.

“I was really excited as soon as I went out there starting my normal routine to go into the game,” Rodriguez said. “It feels amazing to be back over here. To step on the mound and be able to compete, that feels really good to me. That was something special for me.”

Boston Red Sox’s Xander Bogaerts hits first home run of season after Alex Cora calls it: ‘I know he’s going to hit at least 35,’ Eduardo Rodriguez says

Chris Cotillo

BOSTON -- Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts was off to a torrid offensive start through his first 15 games of the season, hitting .386 with six doubles, four RBIs and a .927 OPS. But until Tuesday night, he didn’t have a home run.

That changed in the fourth inning of Tuesday’s win over the Blue Jays, when Bogaerts deposited a Hyun Jin Ryu fastball into the Green Monster seats for a three-run homer. The shot put the Red Sox up, 3-1, and they’d go on to win, 4-2.

It turns out Red Sox manager Alex Cora predicted that Bogaerts would break his homerless streak before the shortstop went to the plate. According to Bogaerts, Cora also called the singles by Christian Arroyo and J.D. Martinez that would set the stage for Bogaerts to plate three runs with one swing.

“It’s definitely good to get the first one out of the way,” Bogaerts said. “I wasn’t trying to get anything. I think that whole inning, Alex Cora predicted, to be honest with you. I remember him saying, (Arroyo) is going to get a hit, J.D.’s going to get a hit and I’m going to hit a three-run homer.

“He kind of predicted that whole inning, to be honest,” Bogaerts said. “You guys have to see what’s up with A.C. and those predictions with his mind and stuff like that. I was like, ‘You’re talking about me hitting a home run? I don’t have a home run at all.’”

Cora wasn’t the only one in the Red Sox dugout who was confident Bogaerts’ power outage wouldn’t last much longer. Starter Eduardo Rodriguez, who improved to 3-0 after allowing two runs in 6+ innings against the Blue Jays, thinks the homer was the first of many for his teammate this season.

“I know he’s going to hit at least 35 this year,” Rodriguez said. “That’s my bet with him. He’s going to hit 35 and I know he’s going to for it.”

Bogaerts, who hit a career-high 33 home runs in 2019 and had 11 in 56 games last year, tempered expectations a bit.

“I don’t have a bet with Eddie,” he said. “Wrong guy. Not me. I’m far from 35 this year on that pace I’m going.”

Bogaerts’ homer was the biggest hit of the game for a Red Sox offense that had only two baserunners in the first three innings against Ryu, Toronto’s ace. The Jays had taken an early lead on a Bo Bichette solo home run in the top of the fourth before the Red Sox answered.

“After he hit the homer, he came to me and said, ‘I got you. Go out there and do your thing,’” Rodriguez said. “That’s something I really appreciate every time I’m pitching and he’s doing things like that.”

Bogaerts’ first homer meant he got to experience his first laundry cart ride of 2021. Rodriguez, who missed last year after developing a heart condition (myocarditis), enjoyed his first chance to see Bogaerts taking a ride in the cart. He also thinks pitchers -- on special occasions -- should be rewarded with rides.

“I think the only time you see a pitcher get a ride in that cart is if somebody throws a no-hitter or a (complete game). And if I get my base hit, I think I’m going to get right in that cart,” said Rodriguez, who is 0-for-20 at the plate for his career.

Luckily for Rodriguez, he has teammates like Bogaerts to pick up the heavy lifting offensively.

“I know every time he steps to the plate, something good is going to happen,” Rodriguez said. “That’s how special he is.”

Alex Cora, Boston Red Sox manager, clears COVID-19 protocols, will manage Tuesday’s game vs. Blue Jays

Chris Cotillo

BOSTON -- Red Sox manager Alex Cora has been cleared by Major League Baseball to manage Tuesday’s game, MassLive confirmed. Earlier Tuesday afternoon, Cora said he was waiting to clear the league’s COVID-19 protocols before heading to Fenway Park for Boston’s game against the Blue Jays.

Four hours before first pitch, Cora did his pregame Zoom availability from home and said he was hoping he’d be cleared in time for the game. He was, and he’s now at Fenway Park ahead of a scheduled 7:10 p.m. first pitch against Toronto.

Though he declined to get into specifics, Cora implied that he had registered a positive COVID-19 test that has since been deemed a false or non-infectious positive. Before being cleared, he said he was one step away from being deemed good to go, adding that he had not experienced any COVID-19 symptoms.

“Some testing didn’t go the way it should have gone,” Cora said. “I’ve been tested for the last 24 hours and things are trending in the right direction. One more hurdle and everything should be fine. I can tell you right now, I’m not sick.”

Cora managed Monday’s 11-4 win over the White Sox, so any issues with his testing did not occur until Monday night at the earliest. Players and coaches are being tested for COVID-19 at least every other day throughout the season.

Cora has already received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and is scheduled for his second dose Wednesday. A group of Red Sox players and coaches received their first doses after Monday’s game and another group will receive first doses Wednesday.

Bench coach Will Venable would have take over as acting manager for the series opener against the Blue Jays if Cora was required to stay home. That won’t be the case.

“I’m good,” Cora said before being cleared. “We’re just waiting for one more step on protocol. I’m healthy. I’m not sick. There was a situation last night so we have to go through the whole thing. We’re just waiting for one more step and hopefully, I can be at Fenway.”

Boston Red Sox lineup: Rafael Devers, Alex Verdugo sit vs. Blue Jays ace Hyun Jin Ryu; Eduardo Rodriguez makes first Fenway start since 2019

Chris Cotillo

BOSTON -- Rafael Devers and Alex Verdugo are out of the Red Sox’ lineup as Boston welcomes lefty Hyun Jin Ryu and the Blue Jays to Fenway Park on Tuesday night.

Marwin Gonzalez is at third base and J.D. Martinez is in left field for the Red Sox in the opening game of a two-game series against Toronto. Kiké Hernández is in center field, Hunter Renfroe is in right field, Christian Arroyo is at second base and Kevin Plawecki is the designated hitter.

“I wanted to give Raffy a day and Alex a break,” said manager Alex Cora. “Ryu is a tough lefty against lefties. We just put a bunch of righties and hopefully we can get the ball up, hit it in the gaps and have a good offensive night.”

Left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez will make his first start at Fenway Park since Sept. 29, 2019, when he struck out eight batters in seven innings against the Orioles. Rodriguez, who missed the entire 2020 season after developing a heart condition (myocarditis), is 2-0 with a 3.60 ERA in his first two starts of 2021.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. The Red Sox were 5-5 against the Jays last year and will face them 19 times this season.

Toronto Blue Jays (7-9) vs. Boston Red Sox (11-6) · Fenway Park · Boston, MA FIRST PITCH: 7:10 p.m. ET

TV CHANNEL: NESN

LIVE STREAM: NESN | fuboTV - If you have cable and live in the New England TV market, you can use your login credentials to watch via NESN on mobile and WiFi-enabled devices. If you don’t have cable, you can watch the game via fuboTV, in New England | MLB.tv (subscription required)

RADIO: WEEI 93.7 FM

PITCHING PROBABLES: LHP Hyun Jin Ryu (1-1, 1.89 ERA) vs. LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (2-0, 3.60 ERA)

RED SOX LINEUP:

1. CF Kiké Hernández

2. 2B Christian Arroyo

3. LF J.D. Martinez

4. SS Xander Bogaerts

5. C Christian Vázquez

6. 3B Marwin Gonzalez

7. RF Hunter Renfroe

8. 1B Bobby Dalbec

9. DH Kevin Plawecki

BLUE JAYS LINEUP:

1. 2B Marcus Semien

2. SS Bo Bichette

3. 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

4. CF Randal Grichuk

5. LF Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

6. RF Cavan Biggio

7. 3B Santiago Espinal

8. DH Alejandro Kirk

9. C Danny Jansen

Boston Red Sox’s Bobby Dalbec hit 2 home runs off Garrett Whitlock in minors in 2019, thinks ‘he’s a different pitcher’ two years later

Chris Cotillo

BOSTON -- In 2019, Bobby Dalbec and Garrett Whitlock were both at Double-A, hoping to someday find themselves on opposite sides of baseball’s greatest rivalry. Two years later, they’re rookie teammates with the Red Sox.

Back then, Dalbec was a rising Red Sox prospect at Double-A Portland and Whitlock was in the Yankees’ system at Double-A Trenton. Because Portland and Trenton were in the same Eastern League division, the two players faced off more than a handful of times. Two of Dalbec’s 20 homers for the SeaDogs that year came off Whitlock, who made 14 starts before being shut down and undergoing Tommy John surgery midway through the year.

After the Red Sox selected Whitlock in the Rule 5 draft in December, the two were suddenly on the same side. During a live batting practice session early in spring training, Whitlock got his chance to exact revenge on Dalbec.

“If you go back to Trenton, when I was pitching there, Bobby took me about 580 (feet) to right-center in Trenton,” Whitlock said on MassLive’s The Fenway Rundown podcast in February. “When I struck him out in my live BP, he came up to me afterwards and said, ‘Alright, we’re even now.’ That was a lot of fun facing him.”

In spring training, the version of Whitlock that Dalbec saw was very different than the one he remembered from Double-A.

“Obviously, he’s throwing a lot harder now,” Dalbec said. “A couple years ago, I’d say he had more sink than he did lateral run. He’s a different pitcher. I think with his extension he gets, it gets on you. I faced him in live at-bats and it felt like he was slapping me in the face when he released the ball.”

Whitlock has been one of the stars of the first three weeks of the season for the Red Sox, allowing just three hits in nine scoreless relief innings. The 24-year-old has struck out 11 batters and walked none.

“I’m glad he’s on our team,” Dalbec said.

Boston Red Sox players waving to teammates in dugout from second base after doubling; Franchy Cordero started it, Alex Cora says

Christopher Smith

Have you noticed Red Sox players have been waving to their teammates in the dugout from second base after doubling?

“That started with Franchy (Cordero),” Red Sox manager Alex Cora explained. “Franchy hit that double against Tampa off the wall and he got to second and he waved. He waved to the bench. Teams always do something. I think Enrique (Kiké Hernández) saw it and he followed the lead and it’s becoming a thing. Yesterday, I was actually waving at my kids after the game. My kids were up there and I was waving at them. I didn’t get a hit or a double. It’s something cool. It’s camaraderie. You’ve got to make it fun. They’re having fun at it. They have the cart in the dugout and now they’re waving at each other. It’s a fun group. It’s fun to watch. We’re enjoying it.”

The Red Sox entered Tuesday with a surprising 11-6 record to start the season. Boston has posted eight come-from-behind wins and so this group has shown character. These players have fun together.

“Everybody’s a fun guy,” Red Sox rookie Bobby Dalbec said. “Just a bunch of fun guys.”

The fun includes pushing a teammate through the dugout in the laundry cart or ball basket after he homers.

“I think (Kevin) Plawecki tipped J.D. (Martinez) over one day and he kinda freaked out,” Dalbec said. “I think we’re extra careful now. I think we took the pace down a little bit.”

Dalbec saw the team’s personality forming early in spring training.

“I think I remember talking early in spring training that we started to jell pretty quick and I still stand by that,” Dalbec said. “I think it’s even more so now. It’s a really fun group to be around. Everyone’s always working, everyone’s always talking about what’s going on, who we’re playing that day. But keeping it light at the same time. It’s a fun team to be on right now. Fun clubhouse. It’s a good group. Really good group.”

Chris Sale, Boston Red Sox ace, getting close to throwing off mound, will continue rehab in Fort Myers: ‘He feels great,’ Alex Cora says

Chris Cotillo

BOSTON -- Slowly but surely, Red Sox ace Chris Sale is making progress as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery.

Sale, who had the procedure on March 30, 2020, will head back to the team’s complex in Fort Myers on Sunday to take the next steps in his rehab process, manager Alex Cora said. Sale isn’t throwing off a mound quite yet, but that important step doesn’t seem to be too far off.

“He’s going down there to keep his rehab (going),” Cora said. “Actually, I had a good conversation with him. He’s not on the mound yet but he feels like everything’s going the right way now. He feels like he feels a lot stronger and the progression is going the right way. Actually, it’s one of those where he’s doing so good that one step back would benefit him. He doesn’t want to rush into it.

“We do believe it’s getting there,” Cora added. “It’s getting closer.”

Sale was originally supposed to start throwing off a mound by the end of January but two setbacks -- an occurrence of neck stiffness and a mild bout with COVID-19 -- caused separate interruptions that each resulted in delays. In early April, Sale had progressed to the point where he was throwing from 120 feet on flat ground; he has been spotted been playing catch before games at Fenway Park throughout the club’s homestand.

After spending a year in Fort Myers rehabbing away from the team, Sale came to Boston with the Red Sox before Opening Day and has spent the last three weeks working out at Fenway. Cora feels that the lefty has benefitted from spending time with his teammates after working in solitude for the entire 2020 season.

“I do believe him being around us in Boston, it makes a difference,” Cora said. “It’s hard to be the guy — you’re injured, you just go there, get your rehab and then go home. Being around the guys and helping us in different ways has benefitted us. Mentally, he’s in a great place. Physically, he feels great, so now it’s just a matter of when he’s going to get on the mound and go from there.”

In May, the Red Sox will have minor-leaguers working out at the Fenway South facility in Fort Myers as part of extended spring training. As Sale progresses to the point where he’s facing hitters, it will make more sense for him to rehab in that atmosphere.

“When it’s time to go, you have everything down there,” Cora said. “Obviously, there’s going to a process, progression on the mound and all that. When it comes down to the other stuff — bullpens and live (batting practice sessions) and facing hitters or somebody stepping up — it’s a lot easier down there.”

Though there’s some cause for optimism, the Red Sox still haven’t revealed when exactly they expect Sale to rejoin the team this summer. Sale’s timetable is largely dependent on how the next few weeks go.

“As far as the plan and all that, I don’t have it on me, I’m not going to get deep into that, either, but he’s in a good spot right now,” Cora said. “He feels great.”

Meet Daniel Gossett: Boston Red Sox depth starter lives in RV, won’t cut long hair until he returns to big leagues or he can donate it

Christopher Smith

Daniel Gossett shaved his head not long after he underwent Tommy John surgery Aug. 1, 2018.

“I was in an arm brace for however many weeks,” Gossett said. “I was like, ‘Man, I can’t do anything with this hair.’ So I cut it all off.”

Gossett — one of the Boston Red Sox’s depth starters at the alternate training site in Worcester — hasn’t had another haircut since then. His flow dangles past his neck and shoulders down his back.

“I’m not gonna cut it until I can donate it or get back to the big leagues,” Gossett said. “So we’re fighting for either one of those. That’s the plan for now. Hopefully, donate it either way.”

Gossett — who made 23 starts (115 ⅔ innings) for the Oakland Athletics in 2017-18 — signed a minor league contract with Boston this past offseason. The 28-year-old righty is expected to be in the WooSox’s starting rotation when the Triple-A season opens May 4 at Buffalo. He threw three innings Sunday.

At this point, his hair probably is long enough to donate. His wife, Presley, told him his pony tail is probably 11-13 inches.

“I was talking to my wife and she said, ‘If you’re pitching well enough to get back to the big leagues, do you think you’re going to change up your haircut?’” Gossett said.

Gossett last pitched in the majors June 3, 2018. He allowed only one run and two hits in 5 innings in a start against the Royals in Kansas City. Two days later, the Athletics placed him on the injured list with a right elbow strain.

He had been pitching well. He posted a 2.65 ERA (17 innings, 5 earned runs) and held the opposition to a .226 batting average in his final three starts before being placed on the IL.

He returned from Tommy John rehab to pitch in the Arizona Fall League for Mesa in 2019. He went 3-1 with a 2.57 ERA (14 innings, four earned runs).

“Honestly, I was healthy going into the 2020 season and then when the coronavirus hit and we had to shut it down, it felt like a joke,” Gossett said. “I was finally healthy again, ready to play ball and then wasn’t allowed to. So that kind of stunk. And then obviously getting released by the A’s wasn’t part of the plan either. It was just another thing to deal with.”

Gossett was assigned to the Athletics’ alternate training site last July 18. But Oakland designated him for assignment four days later, then released him July 27.

“The biggest thing for me has been trying to find the fun in the game again because it’s been so long since I got to compete and actually play baseball,” Gossett said. “So it’s been a grind. For lack of a better word, it’s been kind of grindy for a few years with all the rehab and the lifting and working out without the gratification or the satisfaction of competing. So that was tough for me.

“Competing again has brought back that love of the game,” Gossett added.

Gossett, Presley and their 2-year-old daughter Lucy live in an RV, a Solitude fifth-wheel Grand Design model that they pull with a truck.

The family doesn’t have it with them in Worcester, but they live in it the entire offseason and during spring training.

“We’re full mobile,” he said.

Former Athletics teammate Chris Smith — who was drafted by the Red Sox and pitched for Boston in 2008 — gave Gossett the idea.

“He said he lived in one during spring training and he did it one season,” Gossett said. “I was like, ‘Man, that sounds like a great idea.’ I talked to my wife and we decided we’d just give it a shot. So we stayed in there for spring training a couple years.”

They soon realized they hardly ever used their house.

“Why do we have a house if we’re just letting it sit there?” Gossett said. “So we just decided to do it.”

Gossett said home base is South Carolina. The family stays there most of the time during the offseason because of Gossett’s training. But he said the RV allows them “to sneak off for a week here and there.”

“So we get to travel and do our thing,” he said. “Especially with the COVID thing going on, we don’t have to do hotels or stay with anyone (when traveling). We’ve always got our house right there with us. ... We’re loving that, the lifestyle. It’s a pretty cool thing. ... It’s a pretty nice deal.”

Tigers pitcher Daniel Norris lives in a van, something Gossett and Presley considered.

“We actually thought about doing that for about a week and then decided that was absurd to think about,” Gossett said.

A lot has changed since Gossett last pitched in the big leagues, including fatherhood.

“I was fresh out of the sling when I got to hold her,” Gossett said about daughter Lucy.

Lucy is one of his motivations to make it back to the majors.

“Obviously I want to provide as much I can. So the big leagues will be the best option for that,” he said.

He heads into the 2021 season wanting to compete and enjoy baseball.

“Honestly, I just want to be healthy. I want to compete all year. I just want to be competitive all year. I don’t want to have to take any more time off because my body failed me. I want to stick to the program, do my diligence in the training and the weight room and be able to compete all year. And obviously get back to the big leagues and hopefully, stick around.”

The Red Sox drafted Gossett in the 16th round of the 2011 MLB Draft, but he opted not to sign. He instead kept his commitment to Clemson University and the Athletics drafted him in the second round in 2014.

The Red Sox began checking in on him after the Athletics released him last July.

“After I got released, I didn’t get much attention with an injury,” he said. “But they were always calling and asking and seeing if I was healthy. They always had an interest. It made me feel good knowing that I was recently released with an injury and they were inquiring about me and showing some interest.”

Gossett’s pitch mix with the Athletics included a four-seam fastball, slider, changeup, curveball and two- seamer, per Baseball Savant.

“I’m pretty much the same guy,” Gossett said. “I’ve got the same mix. Eliminated the two-seam. Don’t really have much feel for that. From coming back and rehabbing, everything’s with the four-seam. So I got pretty good at locating the four-seam. And then the two-seam really didn’t work the way it did before surgery so we just eliminated that pitch and just started pitching more effectively with the four-seam.”

John Henry, Boston Red Sox owner, apologizes to Liverpool fans over Super League fiasco: ‘In this endeavor, I’ve let you down’

Chris Cotillo

One day after Liverpool FC announced its plans to withdraw from the controversial European Super League, club principal owner -- and Red Sox principal owner -- John Henry issued a lengthy apology to fans via Twitter.

In a video lasting nearly 2 ½ minutes released at 3:00 a.m. ET, Henry took responsibility for the failed plan by Liverpool and other prominent European clubs to form a breakaway league that would break the sport’s traditional order on the continent. Liverpool fans gathered to protest the proposal before the club announced it had discontinued plans to join the Super League on Tuesday.

That short statement was followed by Henry’s apology early Wednesday morning (watch here).

“I want to apologize to all the fans and supporters of Liverpool Football Club for the disruption I caused over the past 48 hours,” Henry said. “It goes without saying but should be said that the project put forward was never going to stand without the support of the fans. No one ever thought differently in England.

“Over these 48 hours, you were very clear that it would not stand. We heard you. I heard you. I want to apologize to (manager) Jürgen (Klopp), to (CEO) Billy Hogan, to the players and to everyone who works so hard at LFC to make our fans proud. They have absolutely no responsibility for this disruption. They were the most disrupted, and unfairly so. This is what hurts most. They love their club and work to make you proud every single day. I know the entire LFC team has the expertise, leadership and passion necessary to rebuild trust and help us move forward.

More than a decade ago, when we signed up for the challenges associated with football, we dreamed of what you dreamed of. We’ve worked hard to improve your club. Our work isn’t done. I hope you understand that, even when we make mistakes, we’re trying to work in your club’s best interest.

In this endeavor, I’ve let you down. Again, I’m sorry. I, alone, am responsible for the unnecessary negativity brought forward over the past couple of days. It’s something I won’t forget and shows the power that fans have today and will rightly continue to have. If there’s one thing this horrible pandemic has shown, it’s how crucial the fans are to our sport and to every sport. It’s shown in every empty stadium. It has been an incredibly tough year for all of us. Virtually, no one unaffected.

It’s important that the Liverpool football family remain intact, vital and committed to what we’ve seen from you globally, with local gestures of kindness and support. I can promise you I will do whatever I can to further that. Thanks for listening.”

Henry was at Fenway Park for Tuesday’s Red Sox-Blue Jays game. He has not taken questions from reporters in Boston since Feb. 2020 and did just one brief radio interview with WEEI on Opening Day earlier this month.

* The Worcester Telegram

Rounding 3rd for home: Polar Park on pace for home opener May 11

Joe McDonald

WORCESTER — Planning continues as the Worcester Red Sox are set for their inaugural season and the team’s home opener May 11 at Polar Park.

City officials, along with WooSox ownership and management, toured the facility Tuesday in preparation to open the ballpark to fans in a safe and healthy environment. While Polar Park has been baseball ready since April 1, construction continues inside and outside the ballpark.

City Manager Edward M. Augustus Jr. is thrilled with progress.

“It’s gone well,” he said. “It’s been a pretty seamless process of planning.”

Construction will continue during the season, and the goal is to be finished for the Fourth of July. Once complete, WooSox fans will enjoy the gem of the Canal District. Originally, the WooSox were set to open the season in April, but Major League Baseball pushed back the start of the Triple-A season due to COVID-19. It also allowed crews more time to work on the project.

Meanwhile, the Boston Red Sox have been using Polar Park as an alternate site for workouts, simulated games and exhibitions.

“It’s a relief that we’re able to get it open on the schedule we had hoped for – albeit with a little COVID delay in the season,” Augustus said. “With the ballpark actually being used is pretty satisfying.

“The most satisfying thing is the reaction of the community and how enthusiastic people are and how excited people are with anticipation to get in here and enjoy it with family and friends.”

While the buzz is at an all-time high with the home opener quickly approaching, it’s still an active construction site and the finished product won’t be complete until July. Many questions remain about parking, capacity, COVID guidelines and evacuation plans.

Augustus said the sides are working in unison to make it safe and assessable for fans. The biggest question has been parking. Augustus explained there are more than 6,000 parking spaces within a half mile of the ballpark.

“We purposely put the ballpark here and designed it in a way that allows multiple access points,” Augustus said.

By the time Polar Park is allowed full capacity, Augustus said the parking garage across the street from the main entrance on Madison Street should be complete by August with 300-plus spaces. On the other side, coming in from Pickett Park there is the Union Station, the library and Worcester Common garages.

Augustus also explained a joint sales initiative with the WooSox where fans can purchase a ticket and parking voucher.

“It’s going to make it relatively easy for folks to take advantage of that. You can buy your parking and your (game) tickets at the same time,” Augustus said. “And, there’s a fair amount of street parking on Green Island Boulevard. Once the construction is complete there will be metered parking all along there. There’s going to be enough parking – albeit not right in front. You might have to walk a block or two. Think about when you go to a game at Fenway, you don’t mind walking a couple of blocks.”

The WooSox and the city will have drop-off spots for accessible seating around Polar Park and there will be a spot for ride sharing. Digital kiosks will also be installed in the Canal District, according to Augustus.

“What we’re trying to do is make the walk inviting,” he said. “We’ve done a lot with the infrastructure. On McGrath Boulevard we’re widening the sidewalks . . . and under the Green Street Bridge we’re going to have lighting. It’s going to be an inviting connection between downtown and the Canal District. We’re going to do everything we can to make that walk inviting and interesting.”

Part of the logic is when people are walking through the Canal District they’re walking by businesses and maybe stop in before or after WooSox games. The idea is to also support the organic businesses that were here before the ballpark.

Currently, the Commonwealth allows 12% capacity at entertainment venues, including Fenway Park and TD Garden. The Red Sox, Bruins, Celtics and WooSox have asked the Commonwealth to increase capacity to 25% in May.

“Fingers crossed,” Augustus said. “The numbers of vaccinations are going in the right direction, so hopefully the state feels like it’s the safe thing to do,” Augustus said. “Given the size of the facility, and our ability to be outside and spread people out, we could handle 25% safely, but we’ll see what the state has to say.”

The WooSox have been working with the local, state and federal agencies to make sure they adhere to all the COVID protocols. The WooSox have been diligent in their preparation for the home opener and following state guidelines. Each pod of fans will be socially distanced, turnstiles will be spread out when fans enter the ballpark, and concessions will be spaced, too.

Every entertainment facility needs an evacuation plan in place. The WooSox and the city are currently working on a plan.

“The Emergency Management staff has been working with the team, and we’ve had some of the state folks in, and they’ve had counterparts from Gillette Stadium and Fenway Park come and give advice about how to work the crowds through the metal detectors, as well as the large-scale emergency planning they have to be ready for whether a natural disaster, or something else," Augustus said. "They are developing those plans and using other large venues experiences to put those plans together.”

* RedSox.com

Bogaerts' power surge backs 'Steady Eddie'

Jordan Horrobin

Xander Bogaerts’ shoulders slacked as soon as the ball left his bat. Perhaps he felt an imaginary weight being lifted. More likely, though, he just knew the ball was leaving the yard.

With his first home run of the season in his 59th at-bat, Bogaerts brought the Red Sox a lead they would not relinquish in a 4-2 win over the Blue Jays at Fenway Park on Tuesday night. The win improved the Red Sox's record to 12-6 -- best in the American League.

Bogaerts may not have had a home run in his first 15 games, but he did post a .927 OPS and served as a key cog in Boston’s red-hot offense. The Red Sox now have 22 homers in 19 games -- second most in the AL -- and they lead the Majors in OPS (.817).

In the fourth inning, Bogaerts stepped to the plate with two on, no outs and the Red Sox trailing by a run. That changed in a flash, as he turned swiftly on a high-and-tight fastball and soared it over the Green Monster. What made the three-run shot additionally impressive is that it produced more runs than Toronto starter Hyun Jin Ryu had allowed in any of his past six outings.

Bogaerts also doubled off Ryu earlier in the game -- one of five extra-base hits for the Red Sox on the night.

“[The Blue Jays] needed a shutdown inning -- they didn’t get it,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “It was a good swing. That was a good effort against a good pitcher.”

What Cora failed to mention is that he predicted the home run, or so Bogaerts alleges. The shortstop said Cora predicted that Christian Arroyo and J.D. Martinez would get on, and Bogaerts would bring them home.

“I think that whole inning, Alex Cora predicted [that], to be honest with you,” Bogaerts said. “I was like, ‘You’re talking about me hitting a home run? I don’t have a home run at all.’”

Sometimes, a manager just knows. Bogaerts’ power surge came after he requested to take Monday off, and he spent the day working in the cage and fielding grounders.

“Obviously, you want to play, but [Cora] talked to me a little bit, and I told him I kind of needed a little mental getaway, you know, a break,” Bogaerts said. “It worked out perfectly.”

'Steady Eddie' shoves again

Very few pitchers model consistency as well as Eduardo Rodriguez these days, which is why the moniker, “Steady Eddie,” makes so much sense.

Rodriguez worked six-plus innings on Tuesday, marking his 31st consecutive start of five-plus innings. Only Shane Bieber (36) and Justin Verlander (33) have longer active streaks.

“He’s evolving into one of the best lefties in the league,” Cora said. “He attacks the zone with good stuff. The tempo is magnificent. He slows the running game down, too. He has a good feel of what he wants to do.”

On this night, Rodriguez made two mistakes, and they both cleared the wall. But both homers were solo shots, a testament to Rodriguez’s ability to largely keep the Blue Jays off the bases. He worked his five- pitch mix effectively, allowing no more than one baserunner per inning.

Unsurprisingly, Rodriguez’s ability to work five or more innings has led to great results for his team. The Red Sox are 25-6 during his streak, and Rodriguez has enjoyed a 3.38 ERA along the way.

It’s fair to remember that Rodriguez has only made three starts since 2019 after missing all of last year with myocarditis (a complication of COVID-19). He’s happy with the early success he’s had this season -- including a fastball that’s back up to touching 95 mph -- but hopes to keep sharpening his command.

“Right now, it’s just -- try to attack more hitters, throw more strikes and get more deep in the game,” Rodriguez said.

He has only pitched into the seventh inning twice in his past 10 starts, but his five-inning baseline is nothing to scoff at -- it means he’s consistently giving Boston a chance to win.

Eovaldi could be the ace Sox 'envisioned’

Jordan Horrobin

Nathan Eovaldi faced the ultimate heat check on Monday when Nick Madrigal stepped into the batter’s box.

Through six-plus innings to that point, Eovaldi had all five of his pitches spinning, dancing and diving the way he wanted. He was one strikeout shy of matching his career-high (10), but Madrigal -- owner of the league’s lowest strikeout rate -- wasn’t going to make things easy.

Eovaldi nibbled around the zone, eventually grooving a cutter that tipped off Madrigal’s bat and into the glove of Christian Vazquez for strike three. With that, Madrigal saw his league-best strikeout-less streak end at 48 plate appearances, and Eovaldi earned double-digit strikeouts for the fourth time. Pretty satisfying, no?

“Any time you can win a battle and you get a guy who doesn’t punch out a lot, it’s good,” Eovaldi said. “But I’ve got to do a better job of finishing off that inning.”

Eovaldi exited one batter later, finishing with a line of 6 1/3 innings, nine hits, four runs and, eventually, a win. It’s clear that striking out Madrigal meant far less to him than working as deep as possible into the game.

But it’s also clear that Eovaldi is locked in right now and yielding very little to the opposition. He hasn’t walked any of his past 51 batters faced, nor has he allowed a home run in his past six starts.

In his fourth season with the Red Sox, Eovaldi is making a strong case to be considered the ace of the rotation.

“When we got this guy in ’18, this is what we envisioned,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “A guy that was attacking the zone.”

From 2018, Eovaldi will probably be most remembered for his emotional, six-plus-inning relief effort in Game 3 of the World Series. His 2019 campaign was far less memorable, as he posted a 5.99 ERA while battling an elbow injury and shifting in and out of the rotation.

“I do believe that ’19 -- it was unfair to him from our standpoint, and he was willing to try to do what he tried to do,” Cora said. “But going from being a starter, to a reliever, to a starter again, it’s a different mindset, right? And he never got on track.”

Eovaldi returned to a full-time starting role in 2020, and he’s been on track ever since. In his past eight starts, the righty is 6-1 with a 2.01 ERA and 0.99 WHIP. He likes to fill the strike zone and stay on the attack with each batter -- racking up strikeouts is just a perk that comes with his electric stuff.

“If I’m not striking guys out, then hopefully, I’m getting quick outs, going deep into the ballgame,” Eovaldi said. “That’s been my main focus -- make them earn their way onto the basepaths.”

Sale returning to Florida to continue rehab

When the Red Sox hit the road at the conclusion of their homestand on Sunday, so will Chris Sale. But while his teammates head to Queens, N.Y., for a series with the Mets, Sale is headed south -- Fort Myers, Fla. -- to continue his rehabilitation from Tommy John surgery.

Roughly two weeks ago, Cora noted that Sale’s presence in the clubhouse helped him feel “part of the team.”

But as Sale’s workouts ramp up, he’ll need greater access to bullpen time and a stable of hitters to pitch to. Working from the team’s Spring Training complex will make that easier.

Plus, Sale’s relocation allows him to be with his family. The 32-year-old was born in Lakeland and attended Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers.

As for palpable updates on Sale’s progression, Cora only had this to offer: “He’s not on the mound yet, but he feels like everything is going the right way now. Now he feels like he’s a lot stronger, and the progression is going the right way.”

* WEEI.com

Alex Cora is right, the Red Sox are a good team

Rob Bradford

This is what Alex Cora said after the Red Sox' 4-2 win over Toronto Tuesday night at Fenway Park ...

"I'm going to repeat myself, we just have a good baseball team, very balanced," the Sox' manager said. "We made some good plays defensively today, we put good at-bats. It seems like we just finish games, from the first pitch all the way to the end, communication, making adjustments, taking advantage of situations. That's a good baseball team right there. They made it to the playoffs last year. They've got good pitching, good stuff out of the bullpen, they've got some dynamic players, and to be able to get the first game in this series is big."

He's not wrong. The Red Sox are a good baseball team.

Case in point: What we witnessed against the Blue Jays.

For starters, you need an ace, and that's exactly what the image Eduardo Rodriguez supplied in his third win of the season. There were just two runs (one of them coming on his last batter) over six innings. He threw a fastball that topped out at 94.8 mph 30 times, with a lockdown changeup being offered on 25 occasions.

This was 2019 Rodriguez. That's the Rodriguez they desperately need.

"You saw the velocity today, right? The velocity was up," Cora said. "I don't know at the end how it balances out, but I saw some 95s, 96, some four-seamers up in the zone. He's still looking for that two- seamer to put guys away, the comebacker. He's left some of them over the heart of the plate. Overall, you can see him, stamina-wise and control-wise, he's a lot better. The cutter, it's playing better, although the one he threw to (Bo Bichette, who launched a home run), it looked more like a hanging slider, it was a big one. He wanted to throw it harder. It was one mistake and the kid just put a good swing on it. I do believe velocity is getting there, so that's a good sign. Separation between the fastball and the changeup, that's what makes him great, although his changeup is a hard one."

"I know out of the gate that I have my velocity," Rodriguez noted.

"That’s the velocity i’ve been throwing all the time, up at 94, 95, sometimes 96 and it stays at 92, 93 throughout all the games. Being able to throw 95 today, I feel really good. I feel really good with everything, all my pitches, changeup, everything was working really good. Just keep working. I feel like my body is right where it has to be. Velocity is going to get back at some point and now I know it’s back. After I throw 95, now I just have to keep working and I want to keep having 95 all innings I go out there, not just the first inning."

After Rodriguez, the plan worked to perfection. Matt Andriese to Adam Ottavino to Matt Barnes. No more runs. That will do just fine.

Then there was the Red Sox' offense.

It was only four runs, but the images of Christian Arroyo running around the bases via his three hits (he is now hitting .357), and Xander Bogaerts launching a three-run homer over the left field wall (he is now hitting .392) were a few examples of how this whole thing can work.

Even watching Bobby Dalbec wave to dugout after racing around the bases via his triple, considering the continued evolution of the rookie that was something as well.

And all of this came against yet another pitcher who finished the top tier voting of the 2020 American League Cy Young competition, Hyun Jin Ryu. He joins the likes of Tyler Glasnow, Kenta Maeda, Jose Berrios and Lucas Giolito as part of the pile the Red Sox' have built their 12 wins on.

The Red Sox woke up Wednesday morning have the best record in the American League. It's because they are a good baseball team, like their manager said.

'The 2-Minute Grill' with Bobby Dalbec: Homering as a 6-year-old, Tunnel Time, and forgetting to wave

Rob Bradford

(Every day Rob Bradford is joined by a Red Sox player for the Red Sox Radio Network's Pregame Show in a segment called, "The 2-Minute Grill," during which Bradford uses 120 seconds to uncover a flurry of important -- and not-so-important -- facts.)

Question: When was your first-ever home run?

Dalbec: It had to be after we moved to California, Pony Baseball out in Calabasas, I think. One of the elementary school back fields.

Question: How old were you?

Dalbec: Six or seven.

Question: Which was more thrilling, that first home run or homering in the big leagues.

Dalbec: I would have to say major league home run … Predictable.

Question: What is the toughest part of "Tunnel Time" with the laundry cart after home runs?

Dalbec: I think getting out of it is the most awkward part of it because it’s different every time. You don’t know if you’re going to have to go out the side, the back or if Plawecki is going to spill you over.

Question: Who is the most seamless getting out of the cart, and who is the most awkward?

Dalbec: I would say — (Matt) Barnes is in here — probably Dugie (Alex Verdugo) is the most seamless and J.D. (Martinez) has to be the most awkward getting out, by far. I’m probably up there awkwardly getting out of it too. We just haven’t seen it this year. Hopefully we see it soon.

Question: What is up with everyone waving to the dugout from second base?

Dalbec: Honestly, I couldn’t tell you. I missed that meeting, I guess. I have to start doing it. I didn’t know to do it until my second or third hit. Everyone was like, ‘Why aren’t you waving?’ I’m like, ‘Is that a thing?’ They’re like, ‘Yeah, it’s a thing.’ I’m like, ‘OK, I’ll start waving then.’

A bumper sticker and a baseball: The incredible story of catching an Alex Verdugo home run

Rob Bradford

The image was plastered throughout social media. It was too good not to show.

The fan at Fenway Park holding up a baseball just hit by Alex Verdugo into the bleachers -- already standing out because of his tie-dyed "Tip Jar Society" t-shirt and "99" face mask. But what truly separated the portrait was that sign that seemed so small, yet so utterly perfect.

"Verdu Go Red Sox" it read.

But the uniqueness that spawned the television highlights and tidal wave of social media posts was just part of the picture. The story of the man who was in all those shots, and the path he took to get that moment, was the real eyebrow-raiser.

"That's typical Greg Martens stuff," said Grant Wilson, who accompanied his 58-year-old life-long friend to Monday's Red Sox win over the White Sox. "That stuff happens every day with this character."

Yes, the ball was caught by a man named Greg Martens. We now know his name.

Let's start with the first time Martens was highlighted as a fan at Fenway Park by the television cameras. That would have been Oct. 21, 1975, also known as Game 6 of the 1975 World Series.

A 12-year-old Martens had scored tickets for the game Carlton Fisk would ultimately punctuate with his historic home runs thanks to some family connections. His grandfather (not the one who was drafted by the New York Yankees) worked for Fidelity and had two clients: Boston Garden and Wilmington Ford. Fortunately, the owner of the car company, Ben Ristuccia, was kind enough to pass on his World Series tickets.

The kid who grew up getting passes to Shea Stadium from Tom Seaver (who used a Martens' family member as his financial advisor) before moving to Maine had scored the best ticket in town for his new hometown team, the Red Sox.

But, as he was reminded Monday, going to the game is one thing, getting on TV is another. This is where the first sign that Martens knew how to separate himself emerged.

Because Game 6 was rained out, Martens was forced to stay at his grandmother's house in Weston while waiting for the World Series showdown. So while there he decided to rip up one of her bed sheets and draw "Camden, Maine" on it. That, along with those behind-home-plate seats, ended up being his ticket to appearing on network television.

The next thing Martens knew the Maine newspapers were trying to track him down.

"That was my first brush with Red Sox fame," Martens told WEEI.com Tuesday. "It was pretty wild."

That's where it all began.

Martens' marketing skills flourished, truly taking off during a five-year run in which his Grateful Dead t- shirts allowed for the Maine resident to see more than 700 of the band's shows. The apparel wasn't just for the fans. The band also routinely requested the shirts, ultimately leading Martens to be hired by the group.

Unfortunately, the job procurement came right at the same time of Jerry Garcia's passing. "As soon as I get a job with my favorite band ... It was all meant to be," Martens said. True enough. A reminder he was offered Monday.

Martens trekked down from Maine early Monday morning, ready for another visit to Fenway Park. But he wasn't empty-handed. The entrepreneur had found niche over the past 20 years making bumper stickers -- clearing more than $100,000 thanks to a $3 bumper sticker reading "Never elect a Son of a Bush" back in 2000.

For the occasion, the stickers would read, "Had plenty of 2020? Back to fun in 2021!" Martens handed them out to toll booth collectors. Fans on the street. Anybody and everybody around him once inside the park.

But there was one of the stickers which Martens singled out: The one he turned around and wrote the well- publicized, "Verdu Go Red Sox" slogan on.

"It's 'Go' and 'Red Sox,' so I just pushed them together. It's the whole marketing idea, which I'm told I'm good at," Martens said.

"I flipped it over and wrote the Verdu Go sticker. It was just a little (expletive) sticker. Not one person has a sign. They don't want anything like that. So, I'm like, 'What am I doing?' All of a sudden I'm holding a home run ball, I throw the sticker up and the rest is history."

But even before the ball landed in Martens' hands - ricocheting off a fan a few rows in front - there were a few other remarkable elements that were part of the lead-up.

For starters, there was the photo Martens took holding up his handmade sign in front of Verdugo's wall mural a few moments before the home run.

"I went and sourced out Alex's photo," he said. "I had this lady take a photo of me, with this sticker of me and Alex. Two innings later I catch his home run ball. It's just incredible. It's great to tell the story because nobody would have believed it."

And then there was the bet.

"I was talking with one of my best friends before the game and he said I would never get on TV," Martens said. "He said, 'You should wear a sign saying I'm from Lewiston, Maine. Hi TC.' I told him, 'Bro, that's been done, first of all. No. 2, I'm not from Lewiston.' And No. 3 I bet him $100. After I caught the ball I told him, 'Bro, pay up.'"

There was the baseball. There was the publicity. There was the $100. And, finally, there was the recognition from the other guy who made it all happen.

"Verdugo came out and pointed me in center field," Martens said with a chuckle. "He knew what was up."

A moment that was a lifetime in the making. That was what was up.

John Henry's Liverpool quits collapsing Super League 2 days after launch

Scott McLaughlin

Rest in peace, European Super League: April 18, 2021 - April 20, 2021

Just two days after 12 of Europe's biggest soccer clubs announced the formation of a breakaway competitor to the Champions League in which all 12 would be permanent members, the so-called Super League has collapsed in spectacular fashion amid widespread protests and condemnation across the soccer world, including from fans of the 12 teams.

Liverpool, owned by John Henry, Tom Werner and Fenway Sports Group, officially announced that they have "discontinued" their plans to join the Super League Tuesday evening.

After Manchester City and Chelsea became the first teams to officially drop out earlier Tuesday, Liverpool joined Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham a few hours later to make it a clean sweep of English teams backing out.

There have been reports that Spain's Barcelona and Atletico Madrid and Italy's AC Milan are also planning to leave, but there has been nothing official as of Tuesday evening. Spain's Real Madrid and Italian clubs Juventus and Inter Milan are the other teams that were among the original 12.

Top German and French teams like Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain declined to join the league from the start.

The announcement of the league's creation on Sunday was met with immediate, widespread and vehement backlash, including protests outside the home stadiums of several of the teams, threats of boycotts from fans, and threats of expulsion or disqualification from other leagues and competitions.

Henry and FSG were met with statements of condemnation from club legends, the removal of flags from their stadium by two of the club's biggest supporter groups, and protests outside it. Henry was reportedly set to be one of the vice-chairmen of the league.

A poll conducted on Monday found that 79% of English soccer fans opposed the creation of the Super League, including 76% who identified as fans of one of the "Big Six" teams.

In Liverpool's game on Monday, their opponent, Leeds United, wore shirts during warmups protesting Liverpool's decision that read "Football is for the fans" on one side and "Earn it" with the Champions League logo on the other.

Manager Jurgen Klopp said in a pre-match interview that he did not support the creation of a Super League and that neither he nor the players had been consulted. On Tuesday, captain Jordan Henderson released a collective statement from Liverpool's players that read, "We don't like it and we don't want it to happen."

The Super League was a transparent attempt by the richest teams in the world to make even more money amongst themselves while shutting out many smaller leagues and clubs they would normally have to compete against in their domestic leagues and the Champions League, where qualification is entirely merit- based with no team, no matter how valuable, guaranteed a spot in any given year.

While the Super League was short-lived, there could still be more fallout. Manchester United's executive vice-president, Ed Woodward, resigned amid the backlash, and there have been rumors that executives at other teams could follow suit.

John Henry apologizes to Liverpool fans for Super League mess: 'I alone am responsible'

Alex Reimer

John Henry is taking sole responsibility for thrusting the Liverpool Football Club into the doomed European Super League project, which collapsed just two days after its ill-conceived launch.

In a video message posted early Wednesday, Henry apologized to Liverpool fans and employees for the last 48 hours.

“I’m sorry, and I alone am responsible for the unnecessary negativity brought forward over the past couple of days,” he said. “It’s something I won’t forget. And shows the power the fans have today and will rightly continue to have.”

On Sunday, 12 of the biggest teams in European soccer announced plans for a breakaway league, in a blatant attempt to maximize their own revenues at the expense of lesser professional clubs. Henry was reportedly set to be vice-chairman of the league. (Fenway Sports Group owns Liverpool FC.)

Liverpool fans were livid at Henry and Fenway Sports Group, calling the move “a betrayal,” “extreme greed,” “immoral,” “sickening,” “shameful,” “an embarrassment,” “another nail in the coffin of football,” and “the most bare-faced act of greed in the game’s history.” Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher even took his criticisms one step further, calling FSG’s decision a “betrayal of a heritage they are seeking to cash in on.” They participated in a raucous protest outside of the stadium Monday night, setting a Liverpool shirt ablaze.

A poll found that 79% of English soccer fans opposed the creation of the Super League, including 76% who identified as fans of one of the "Big Six" teams.

Henry said he wasn’t prepared to go forward without support of the fans.

“It goes without saying but should be said that the project put forward was never going to stand without the support of the fans,” he said. “No one ever thought differently in England. Over these 48 hours you were very clear that it would not stand. We heard you. I heard you.”

* NBC Sports Boston

Here's why Red Sox hitters wave from second base

John Tomase

The double point. Salt Bae. Meringue hips.

These are ways Red Sox batters have celebrated big hits with the dugout. And now we can add a simple motion to the list -- the wave.

Perhaps you've noticed it this season. A Red Sox hitter doubles and then immediately waves to the dugout, where teammates wave back. If you're wondering where it comes from, it actually traces to new outfielder Franchy Cordero.

Allow manager Alex Cora to explain.

"That started with Franchy," he said. "Franchy hit that double against Tampa, off the wall. And he got to second and he waved. He waved to the bench. Teams always do something, right? And I think Enrique (Hernández) saw it and he followed the lead, and it's becoming a thing."

Hitters generally share some motion to the dugout after a big knock, with James Harden's "stirring the pot" celebration from his Rockets days finding its way onto big-league basepaths about five years ago. A couple of years later, we saw Fortnite dances galore. This year's Dodgers have been patting themselves on the head in a move started by infielder Gavin Lux.

The Red Sox have been well-represented in this regard, whether it was Manny Ramirez pointing to the dugout with both hands, Mookie Betts mimicking the sprinkling-over-elbow motion of Salt Bae, who's actually a Turkish chef, or Brock Holt, Xander Bogaerts, and others popping their hips like dancers.

The wave captures a much more basic exuberance that actually fits these overachieving Red Sox quite well, going hand-in-hand, so to speak, with their laundry cart home run rides.

Cora's all for it.

"It's something cool," he said. "It's camaraderie. You've got to make it fun, and they're having fun with it. They've got the cart in the dugout, and now they're waving at each other. It's a fun group. It's fun to watch, and we enjoy it."

Pedro recalls impressive batting practice session with Tom Brady

Darren Hartwell

New England Patriots fans are very glad Tom Brady chose football as his career path, but if you ask another Boston sports icon, Brady had potential on the diamond, as well.

During an appearance Tuesday on MLB Network's "Intentional Talk" show, former Red Sox ace Pedro Martinez casually mentioned that he once threw batting practice to Brady.

"It was (in the) indoor cages, and he was swinging it pretty good too," Martinez recalled. "He's a good athlete. Really good athlete."

Martinez and also noted that he and Brady were briefly teammates: Years before the Patriots selected Brady in the 2000 NFL Draft, the Montreal Expos picked the two-sport athlete in the 18th round of the 1995 MLB Draft.

In fact, the Expos had high hopes for Brady -- a left-handed-hitting catcher with solid power in high school -- and offered him an initial contract worthy of a second- or third-round pick.

Brady's April Fools' joke was a nod to his baseball past Martinez played for the Expos from 1994 to 1997 before coming to the Red Sox, so he may have gotten to work with Brady had the California native not committed to Michigan, where he eventually replaced Drew Henson as the starting QB and ... well, you know the rest.

As for the BP session in question, Martinez likely is referring to an April 2015 Red Sox game when Brady's Patriots visited Fenway Park to celebrate their fifth Super Bowl title.

Those indeed are some serious hacks.

* BostonSportsJournal.com

FINAL: Red Sox 4, Blue Jays 2 – ERod, Bogaerts power Sox

Greg A. Bedard

WHO: Red Sox (11-6) vs. Toronto Blue Jays (7-9) WHEN: 7:10 p.m. WHERE: Fenway Park SERIES TO DATE: First meeting. Split series 5-5 last season. STARTING PITCHERS: LHP Hyun Jin Ryu (1-1, 1.89 ERA) vs. LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (2-0, 3.60 ERA)

LIVE COVERAGE

Seventh inning

Grichuk homers to lead off the inning and ERod will leave to a standing ovation after 90 pitches. Jus three hits and the two solo homers. Outstanding return and stuff. Andriese in.

Fourth inning

Arroyo becomes the third straight leadoff hitter to reach for the Sox. Let’s see if they do something with it this time. Martinez follows with a single. Here we go. Bogaerts three-run dinger deep to left center. SOX 3, JAYS 1. Gonzalez with a one-out double. Dalbec with the fifth hit of the inning, a deep RBI triple to the triangle. SOX 4-1.

Bichette leads off the 4th with a homer on the first pitch. JAYS 1, SOX 0.

Not much going on through three. Red Sox had a gift double by Bogaerts and the second and didn’t do anything with it. Dalbec’s lead-off single in the third was erased by a Plawecki double play.

LINEUPS

BLUE JAYS

RED SOX

Hernandez CF Arroyo 2B Martinez LF Bogaerts SS Vazquez C Gonzalez 3B Renfro RF Dalbec 1B Plawecki DH

PREGAME NOTES

With the Blue Jays going with ace LHP Hyun Jin Ryu, Rafael Devers and Alex Verdugo are out of the Red Sox’ lineup. Marwin Gonzalez is at third and J.D. Martinez in LF while Kevin Plawecki is the DH. Kiké Hernández shifts from second to center field, Hunter Renfroe is in right field and Christian Arroyo is at second. … Eduardo Rodriguez will make his first start at Fenway Park since Sept. 29, 2019. He’s 2-0 with a 3.60 ERA in his first two starts of 2021. … Today begins a stretch of four consecutive night games for the Red Sox, after only 4 of their first 17 were played at night… The Sox have played 13 day games, more than any team in the majors… Only 13 of their next 47 will be day games. … Xander Bogaerts (.386) and J.D. Martinez (.383) rank 7th and 8th in the majors in AVG… No other team features multiple qualifying players batting .350 or higher. … Toronto signed George Springer and Marcus Semien in the offseason, but has been hit hard by injuries. Springer (oblique/quad) hasn’t played yet and eight pitchers are currently on the injured list. … Toronto lost 3 of 4 to the Royals.

BSJ Game Report: Red Sox 4, Blue Jays 2 – Rodriguez picks up where he left off at Fenway

Greg A. Bedard

All you need to know about the Red Sox’ win over the Blue Jays, complete with BSJ analysis and insight:

HEADLINES

Rodriguez triumphant in Fenway return: It may have been 569 days since Eduardo Rodriguez started a game at Fenway after missing last season due to complications from Covid-19, but it was hard to tell. The Sox’ top lefty was dazzling throughout this game as he scattered three hits (two solo home runs) over six innings to notch his longest start of the season (90 pitches, 62 strikes) and improve to 3-0. There may have been some concerns about dead arm coming out of spring training, but Rodriguez looked alive on the home mound as he touched the mid-90s cruising through the first three innings. “It feels amazing to be back here,” Rodriguez said. “To step on the bound and compete … that was something special for me.” Alex Cora was impressed with what he saw out of his left-hander against an impressive Jays lineup. “He’s evolving into one of the best lefties in the league,” Cora said. “He attacks the zone with good stuff. The tempo is magnificent.”

Bogaerts gets on the board: Xander Bogaerts‘ lack of a home run to this point even had the shortstop poking fun at himself when, before the fourth inning, Cora predicted Christian Arroyo and J.D. Martinez would get on base, and Bogaerts would homer for the first time. “I was like, ‘You’re talking about me hitting a home run? I don’t have a home run at all,’” Bogaerts joked after the game. Bogaerts turned a 1-2 91 mph fastball from Blue Jays ace Hyun Jin Ryu into his first homer of the season to give the Sox a 3-1 lead it would not relinquish with Rodriguez on the mound. “It’s good to get the first one out of the way,” Bogaerts said. “I wasn’t trying to get anything.”

TURNING POINT

The fourth inning was the third straight frame the Red Sox had the leadoff batter on board to start the inning, including a double by Bogaerts in the second, but they couldn’t do anything with it. But in the third, Ryu made two costly mistakes with his cutter to Arroyo and Martinez — both were in the middle of the zone — to set up Bogaerts’ heroics.

TWO UP

Christian Arroyo: Matched a career-high with three hits and is now tied for the team lead in doubles with seven (Martinez, Bogaerts). He’s batting .480 over his last nine games.

Bobby Dalbec: Had the Sox’ first triple of the season deep to the triangle as part of his two-hit effort. He’s batting .333 in his last nine games. Say hi…

TWO DOWN

Hunter Renfroe: Went 0 for 3 to drop to .171 on the season. He is 2 for his last 15 (.133).

Kevin Plawecki: In the DH spot batting ninth, he was 0 for 3 with two left on base and is 1 for his last 9.

QUOTE OF NOTE

“I’m going to repeat myself. We have a good baseball team. Very balanced. We made some good plays defensively today. We put together good at-bats. Seems like we just finish games right from the first pitch all the way to the end.” — Cora.

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

Red Sox are 12-0 when holding a lead at any point in the game.

Rodriguez has thrown at least 5.0 innings in each of his last 31 starts (beginning 5/4/19), the 3rd-longest active streak in the majors behind only Shane Bieber (36) and Justin Verlander (33)… The Red Sox are 25- 6 (.806) in those 31 games.

Matt Andriese tossed a scoreless 7th inning, retiring all 3 batters faced… Has not allowed an ER in his last 5 appearances (6.2 IP, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 SO).

Blue Jays have lost 8 games this season by 2 runs or fewer.

UP NEXT

Final game of this short two-game set with the Blue Jays is 7:10 Wednesday with RHP Garrett Richards (0- 1, 6.00 ERA) vs. TBD.

* The Athletic

With a wave, the Red Sox are reintroducing themselves as the top team in the American League

Chad Jennings

Bobby Dalbec banged a deep fly ball into the Fenway Park triangle, and he didn’t stop running when he got to second base. The big Red Sox first baseman rounded the bag, headed for third, and slid safely with his first triple since he was playing in Double A. When he stood up, Dalbec turned to the dugout and waved — an almost comical, cartoonish wave with all five fingers extended and his hand flashing merrily back and forth.

Dalbec had no idea why he was doing it, but if it works, it works, and for the Red Sox, the wave is working.

It’s not menacing. It’s not aggressive. It wouldn’t even be particularly cool in any other context, but ever since their first win, the Red Sox have been celebrating big hits with goofy waves, and each is a reintroduction.

Remember the team that was written off 17 days ago? The one that finished in last place last season? After a 4-2 win against the Blue Jays on Tuesday, the Red Sox became the first American League team to reach 12 wins this season, waving their way past should-be contenders and elite starting pitchers to become one of the best, most surprising teams in baseball.

“This atmosphere that we have right now, it’s definitely fun to come to the ballpark every day,” Xander Bogaerts said. “Show up and have fun with each other. We’re definitely enjoying ourselves, enjoying the moment, and hopefully we can just continue this for a long time, for the whole season if we can keep it up.”

But why something as simple as a wave?

“I honestly have no idea,” Dalbec said. “I just do it when I get on base.”

The origin seems to be the fourth game of the season. Franchy Cordero doubled off the Green Monster that day, driving in a run before turning to the bench to give a little wave as a salute. The Red Sox went on to get their first win, and Cordero’s reaction — hardly a grand gesture — stuck around.

“I think Enrique (Hernández) saw it and he followed the lead,” manager Alex Cora said. “And it’s becoming a thing. … It’s something cool. It’s camaraderie. You’ve got to make it fun, and they’ve having fun with it.”

The Red Sox ride laundry carts in the dugout for home runs, and they wave from the bases for everything else. This team thrives on the unexpected, and it seems rarely to flinch against top-notch starting pitching.

When Bogaerts came to the plate in the fourth inning with two on, the Red Sox were down 1-0 against Blue Jays ace Hyun Jin Ryu. Bogaerts hadn’t homered all season, and he fell behind in the count 1-2 against the pitcher who had — at the time — the eighth-best ERA in the American League, with a chase rate, barrel percentage and average exit velocity among the best in the majors. Bogaerts had fouled off a pitch up and in earlier in the at-bat, and Ryu tried to go to that same spot with a 91 mph fastball. Bogaerts hit it 408 feet to the top of the Green Monster and suddenly the Red Sox were leading 3-1.

“I think that whole inning, Alex Cora predicted, to be honest with you,” Bogaerts said. “I remember him saying that (Christian Arroyo) was going to get a hit, J.D. (Martinez) was going to get a hit, and I was going to hit a three-run homer. … I was like, you talking about me hitting a home run? I don’t have a home run at all, and he’s talking about me hitting a homer?”

With that home run, the Red Sox could add Ryu to the list of giants they’ve taken down this season.

“We feel like we can score runs against anybody,” Cora said.

Through all the happy waving, the Red Sox have beaten last year’s Cy Young runner-up (Kenta Maeda), last year’s third-place Cy Young finisher (Ryu) and two of the best young pitchers in baseball (José Berríos and Lucas Giolito). They’ve also outlasted Tyler Glasnow to eventually beat the Rays bullpen in extra innings. Half of their six losses have come against pitchers who either finished fifth in Cy Young voting last year (Dallas Keuchel) or currently rank top seven in American League ERA (Michael Pineda and John Means).

Rarely have the Red Sox dominated these aces — Giolito was rocked, the rest at least made the Red Sox sweat — but they’ve kept winning despite running into these potential buzzsaws.

To beat Ryu, who has allowed one hit to a left-handed batter this season, the Red Sox loaded their lineup with righties. Alex Verdugo, Rafael Devers and Cordero were on the bench. Marwin González was at third base, Arroyo was batting second, and Kevin Plawecki was the designated hitter. For three innings it didn’t work, and a solo home run by Bo Bichette had the Blue Jays in front.

Then came the fourth inning, and it unfolded just as Cora predicted. In a span of eight pitches, the Red Sox were in front. After González doubled and Dalbec tripled, the lead was extended to 4-1, and it was safe in the hands of their own top-of-the-rotation lefty.

Eduardo Rodriguez allowed a couple of solo home runs, but he gave up only one other hit and one walk through six strong innings. His fastball got up to 95 mph, he struck out six and got a meaningful ovation in his first Fenway start since 2019.

“That was something special for me,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez has won all three of his starts this season, giving the Red Sox rotation some of the reliability and impact that it lacked a year ago.

“He’s evolving into one of the best lefties in the league,” Cora said.

The Red Sox, too, have evolved. Gone are the pushovers of a year ago. This Red Sox team keeps finding a way to win with steady pitching, big hits, and a friendly wave along the way.

“We’re finding our identity,” Dalbec said. “I don’t know what that is yet, but I think we’re on a good path right now.”

* Associated Press

Bogaerts’ 3-run HR, Rodríguez lift BoSox over Blue Jays 4-2

BOSTON (AP) — Xander Bogaerts hit a three-run home run to back Eduardo Rodríguez in his first start at Fenway Park since 2019, and the Boston Red Sox beat the Toronto Blue Jays 4-2 on Tuesday night.

Rodríguez (3-0), who missed last season due to COVID-19 complications, allowed two runs on three hits over six innings and struck out six for AL East-leading Boston.

Matt Andriese, Adam Ottavino and Matt Barnes each worked a scoreless inning in relief. Barnes earned his third save.

Rodríguez was pulled after allowing his second homer of the day, a towering leadoff shot by Randal Grichuk leading off the seventh. Bo Bichette also homered for the Blue Jays, who have lost three straight.

Toronto ace Hyun Jin Ryu (1-2) lasted five innings, giving up eight hits, four runs and striking out two.

Trailing 4-2 in the eighth, the Blue Jays had a runner on third with two outs, but Bichette struck out.

Rodríguez received a warm greeting from the pandemic-limited Fenway crowd of 4,728. It was a small consolation prize for the left-hander, who missed out on scheduled opening day starts each of the past two seasons.

He still appeared to feed off the home fans’ energy, hurling a 95 mph fastball to strike out Bichette looking in the first inning.

Rodríguez cruised through his first three innings, allowing only a walk.

In the fourth, Bichette jumped on a first-pitch cutter and drove it over the Green Monster to put the Blue Jays in front 1-0.

Christian Arroyo and J.D. Martinez singled ahead of Bogaerts’ blast to left-center in the bottom of the inning. Marwin Gonzalez doubled later in the fourth and Bobby Dalbec drove him in with a triple.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Blue Jays: Cavan Biggio started in right field after missing two games a hand issue. ... Toronto placed right-hander T.J. Zeuch on the 10-day injured list with right shoulder tendinitis. Infielder Santiago Espinal was recalled from the club’s alternate training site and started at third base.

Red Sox: Left-hander Chris Sale will report to the team’s spring training facility in Fort Myers, Florida, on Sunday to continue his rehabilitation following Tommy John surgery in March of 2020. “It’s just a matter of time of when he gets on the mound. We’ll go from there,” manager Alex Cora said.

DELAYED ARRIVAL

Cora was delayed getting to the ballpark, saying before the game that he had issues with his COVID-19 test results.

“Some testing didn’t go the way it should have gone,” Cora said, adding that he was tested multiple times.

Cora is scheduled to receive his second dose of COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday.

UP NEXT

Blue Jays: Montoyo hasn’t settled on a starter, but said his options include left-hander Tommy Milone (0-0, 3.24 ERA), left-hander Anthony Kay (0-1, 10.80) or an opener.

Red Sox: Right-hander Garrett Richards (0-1, 6.00) will make his fourth start of the season. He has posted a 1.80 ERA and .179 opponent batting average in his past two starts.

Liverpool owner leads Super League sorrow as fan anger grows

LONDON (AP) — After the aborted attempt to form a European Super League, Liverpool owner John Henry attempted to regain the trust of fans with an apology video on Wednesday.

The same public contrition was yet to come from all six of the Premier League clubs who faced two days of fury from their supporters for deciding — briefly — to abandon the UEFA system to join a largely closed breakaway European competition.

On a frenzied night of statements, Liverpool withdrew on Tuesday from the 12-team project along with the other five English rebel clubs, imploding the planned split from the existing Champions League.

“Over these 48 hours you were very clear that it would not stand,” Henry told supporters. “No one ever thought differently in England. We heard you. I heard you.”

English club owners like Henry didn’t just fail to consult their supporters. Even players and coaching staff at the Premier League champions were left in the dark before the announcement on Sunday of the Super League.

Liverpool players publicly voiced their opposition in a wave of coordinated tweets on Tuesday night to intensify the pressure on Henry to keep the six-time European Cup winners within the long-standing, open competition.

Henry directly apologized to manager Jürgen Klopp and the staff.

“They were the most disrupted and unfairly so,” Henry said. “This is what hurts most.”

The attempt at damage-limitation was familiar from Liverpool since the Fenway Sports Group bought the club in October 2010. Under Henry, the club has apologized for backing then-striker Luis Suarez in a racism case, for hiking ticket prices and for trying to use state aid to pay staff during the pandemic.

Henry, who also owns the Boston Red Sox, accepted he had to “rebuild trust” after letting down the fans.

“I’m sorry, and I alone am responsible for the unnecessary negativity brought forward over the past couple of days,” he said. “It’s something I won’t forget and shows the power the fans have today and will rightly continue to have.”

Fans of Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham did not receive a similar apology from their owners for the fleeting attempt to join the Super League.

The hours before the collapse of the Super League saw the British government threaten to introduce laws to stop it with Prime Minister Boris Johnson even holding emergency talks with supporters. The government indicated to fans it is exploring adopting the 50-plus-1 rule from Germany that gives fans the majority of voting rights, nominally to protect clubs from being controlled by private investors.

“Supporter engagement has to be embedded into the decision making and power structure of all clubs,” the Football Supporters’ Association said.

United, City and Chelsea only gave brief statements announcing they were deserting the Super League with no details.

Expressing disappointment at receiving no apology from the club, the Chelsea Supporters’ Trust said it has no confidence in the club’s leadership at board level led by chairman Bruce Buck — indicating their ongoing backing for owner Roman Abramovich, whose vast wealth has transformed the team since 2003.

Chelsea fans flooded the streets outside Stamford Bridge on Tuesday before the decision was leaked that the club was out of the Super League.

“We request a full and in-depth examination as to why the board took the decision to turn their back on the European competition and for CFC to explain why they signed up to the Super League without prior consultation with their loyal supporters,” the Chelsea Supporters’ Trust said.

Chelsea, though, had been the only club to seemingly more fully explain its strategy after Sunday’s announcement in a fans’ forum with Buck the following night.

The Manchester United Supporters’ Trust said for once fans weren’t ignored after they mobilized in opposition and managed to kill off the Super League.

“We need to make this a turning point — both for United and for football as a whole,” MUST said. “We have shown the power fans have.”

United also announced Tuesday night that vice chairman Ed Woodward would be leaving this year but tried not to link it to the disastrous decision-making behind the Super League or the failure to win the Premier League since 2013.

“The problems at Manchester United are at ownership level,” MUST said. “With Ed going, and their Super League dream in tatters, maybe the Glazers ought to consider if now is their moment to leave the pitch too.”

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy said officials “regret the anxiety and upset” while explaining the finances on offer were too good to turn down initially.

From across north London, the Arsenal Supporters’ Trust renewed calls for owner Stan Kroenke, who also runs the Los Angeles Rams, to sell Arsenal — demands backed by club great Ian Wright.

Arsenal issued an open letter to fans, apologizing for distressing supporters but justifying signing up to the Super League by saying it didn’t want to be left behind.

“We know it will take time to restore your faith,” Arsenal said.