The Boston Red Sox Sunday, July 22, 2018

* The Boston Globe

J.D. Martinez gets a day off for ’general soreness’

Peter Abraham

DETROIT — J.D. Martinez had a wrap around the middle of his body as he walked through the clubhouse before the game. It was not hard to figure out why.

“I ran into a wall,” he said.

Indeed he did, a jarring collision with the padded green wall at the 385-foot mark in right center in the third inning on Friday night.

Martinez held onto the ball hit by JaCoby Jones as he hit the wall face first and stayed in the game.

“Just a big dude at full speed hitting that wall,” Cora said.

The manager decided to be cautious with the major league leader in RBIs and held him out of the lineup on Saturday with what was termed “general soreness.” He should be back on Sunday.

“He wasn’t feeling great after the game,” Cora said. “I decided to give him the day.”

Cora said the incident would not cause him to restrict how often Martinez plays in the field.

“No. He likes playing the field. I take that into consideration,” Cora said.

From 2016-17, Martinez had only six games and 29 plate appearance as the DH.

Do Red Sox have enough prospects to pull off a trade?

Nick Cafardo

DETROIT — The Red Sox are trying to make their team airtight for the postseason, but so far some of the teams they have been talking to seem to believe the Sox don’t have enough in the talent pool to pull off a trade.

Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski disagrees.

“We have enough to make a major trade if we want to,” Dombrowski said. “I think that’s overblown.”

Manager Alex Cora and Dombrowski feel “very comfortable” with the current roster. And both feel if nothing happens by the trade deadline they’d have a very strong team. They have the best record in baseball.

But what else would they say publicly?

The Red Sox inquired about Mets closer Jeurys Familia, but weren’t able to get very far once the Mets started engaging with Oakland, which has a much deeper minor league system. The Red Sox love Zach Britton — and yes, what a pickup he would be — but the Orioles have been evaluating Boston’s farm system. Boston’s top hitting prospect, Michael Chavis, fresh off an 80-day PED suspension, hasn’t been playing much at Double A Portland because of a wrist injury.

Teams also would be wary of trading for a guy who was just off a PED suspension (Chavis told the Globe he doesn’t know how the substance got into his system). With at least seven teams in on Britton, the Red Sox would have to give up a prospect such as righthanders Bryan Mata, Tanner Houck, or Danny Diaz, lefthander Darwinzon Hernandez, first baseman Josh Ockimey, or third baseman Bobby Dalbec.

“You just come away with the thought, ‘Is that prospect someone I absolutely have to have? Can I do better elsewhere?’ ” said one American League special assistant. “You just don’t come away with ‘Oh my God, have to have him.’ ”

But as many baseball executives have said, never underestimate Dombrowski. He is one of the master traders in baseball. Like Theo Epstein, Dombrowski has never been afraid to deal a prospect in those seasons in which the big league club is thriving.

Could the Red Sox keep on trucking with their current team? With a dearth of good teams, probably so. In the postseason, you need three solid starters, at least five solid relievers, and preferably one good lefthanded reliever.

As lefthander Heath Hembree’s role grows — he can be brought in for high-leverage situations — it appears the Red Sox can depend on Hembree, Matt Barnes, Joe Kelly, and Craig Kimbrel. Yes, Kelly has had his hiccups, but he can easily get back on a positive streak, as he was for most of the first half. The Red Sox need that solid fifth guy. Brandon Workman has shown flashes. Hector Velazquez is considered more in that sixth-reliever category. So adding a playoff-experienced reliever would be a good idea.

A lot of people think Dombrowski will pick up a reliever he’s familiar with, such as the Twins’ Fernando Rodney or the White Sox’ Joakim Soria. But there are no shortage of relievers in a saturated market. The trick is picking the right one.

Dombrowski said he doesn’t necessarily have to acquirea reliever with playoff experience, but that would be preferable.

Dombrowski was unwilling to prioritize what the team was looking for. But that’s his way. He downplays just about everything until he’s actually ready to pounce. Dombrowski doesn’t like to tip his hand. He warns that just because there’s a Red Sox scout in the stands doesn’t mean that scout is looking at a specific player. Of course, at this time of the year — the trade season — most scouts are looking for something specific. In that respect, Dombrowski won’t be able to get the bloodhounds off the scent.

Teams that have bottom-third farm systems are definitely at a disadvantage at the trade deadline. Boston could deal Rafael Devers and get a ton in return. But they’re not going to deal him because his salary is under team control and he projects as a top player in the league. And they are not going to deal Andrew Benintendi. Certainly they could get a ton for him, but it’s just not going to happen. And what sense does it make to rob Peter to pay Paul, as the great Lou Gorman used to say.

Dombrowski acknowledges keeping his eyes on everything around the league. He keeps up with AL contenders such as the Yankees, Indians, Astros, Mariners, and A’s. He doesn’t feel as if he’ll have to react to whatever they might do because, as he’s found out through experience, a trade deadline pick up doesn’t always put a team over the top.

Dombrowski takes this time of the year very seriously. As he puts it, it’s a chance to improve the team if it makes sense. He has an army of major league scouts watching any potential trade candidates. He’s got his major advisers — Frank Wren patrolling the National League and Allard Baird watching the American League. Wren’s recommendations have yielded Craig Kimbrel and Eduardo Nunez, among others. Baird’s recommendations have brought Steve Pearce, Chris Sale, and others.

The Red Sox seem as prepared for the deadline as any team. Now the questions will arise — can they do something with what they have to offer? And do they feel they really need much at all?

Red Sox activate Rafael Devers from the disabled list

Rachel G. Bowers

The Red Sox on Saturday activated third baseman Rafael Devers from the disabled list.

Devers had been out since July 10 with left shoulder inflammation. He spent the All-Star break in the Dominican Republic and got treatment while he was there at the team’s academy in El Toro.

“I’m feeling better,” said Devers, who worked out on the field before Friday’s game in Detroit. “I want to play.”

Before he went on the disabled list, Devers was slashing .241/.292/.424 with 14 home runs and 48 RBIs.

To make room for Devers, the Sox optioned lefthanded pitcher Bobby Poyner to Triple-A Pawtucket. Poyner has allowed two runs on 10 hits with 10 Ks and a walk over his 10 relief appearances for the Sox this season.

Instead of Mike Trout, how about making Mookie Betts the face of baseball?

Nick Cafardo

That Commissioner Rob Manfred is drawing criticism over his comments about how Mike Trout chooses not to promote himself as the face of baseball is misplaced. Manfred was merely telling the truth. If everyone wants Trout to be the face of baseball, Trout would need to be on board with that and do things to promote it.

That’s why the guy the league should be promoting is Mookie Betts, who would be more willing to do the things required to gain that status.

Manfred made a truthful comment when he said that, “Player marketing requires one thing for sure: the player. He has to make the decision that he’s wanting to engage in that area. Mike’s a great, great player and a really good person. If he wants to engage and be more active I think we could help him make his brand be really big.”

Trout, however, would rather just play baseball, spend time with his family, and not get out there shooting a lot of commercials. It’s just not him. Manfred made his comment and suddenly there were a rash of statements by the Angels and Trout himself having to address Manfred’s comments.

Trout is not LeBron James, who is in an endless number of commercials and NBA shoots. The topic came about as a result of a story by Los Angeles Times baseball columnist Bill Shaikin , who explored the topic of why Trout isn’t more marketable. Manfred referred to the story at his press conference with the BBWA earlier this week at the All-Star Game. Manfred said he liked the story because it was a thorough look at Trout and the reasons he doesn’t want to be the out-front guy for the league.

The Angels felt they had to defend Trout.

“Mike Trout is an exceptional ambassador for the game,’’ the Angels statement read. “He continually chooses to participate in the community, visiting hospitals, schools and countless other charities. One of Mike’s traits that people admire most is his humility. His brand is built upon generously spending his time engaging with fans, both at home and on the road, while remaining a remarkable baseball player and teammate.”

Terrific. He’s a charitable guy and gives back to the community. But that has nothing to do with being the face of baseball and being a pitch man for the sport. But that’s OK. Trout can be whomever he wants to be. He doesn’t have to be baseball’s LeBron or the NFL’s Peyton Manning, who in past years was on your TV set every time you turned it on.

Manfred would love it if Trout became that pitchman, but he’s not wringing his hands that he’s not.

Baseball is just not the forum to have a pitchman. It’s an everyday sport. There’s no down time. There’s really not much time for Trout or anyone else to spend a day or two shooting a promotional ad. Even in the offseason, Trout doesn’t want to go spend a week promoting baseball.

Trout is the LeBron of baseball in terms of talent. There’s nobody better on the field. That alone should market him as the face of baseball. Trout has recently received a lot of attention. People have offered reasons why Trout isn’t more well-known such as the fact that he plays in the secondary LA market (not the Dodgers), that he’s three hours away from the Eastern time zone so few people on the East Coast ever see him play, and that he’s a quiet, humble guy and not gregarious.

Well, Steph Curry plays on the West Coast. Magic Johnson played on the West Coast. It’s just not in Trout’s DNA to be that guy. So now just leave him alone and let him be the genuine guy he is. And stop blaming Manfred for telling the truth. And now bring on Betts as the face of baseball.

COMING UP SHORT

Position a key for Machado’s future

It will not be an issue now since Manny Machado will play his desired shortstop for the Dodgers in Corey Seager’s absence. But when Seager returns next season and whether the Dodgers are able to re-sign Machado, the desire to play shortstop would be a major issue. Somebody has to convince Machado that he’s one of the best third basemen of all time and that he’s only an average shortstop and nowhere in the same class as some of the current group of elite shortstops like Andrelton Simmons, Francisco Lindor, Carlos Correa etc.

“I’ve been playing shortstop since I picked up a glove,” Machado said. “Just going out there and taking that position you feel like you’re in control of the game. You can see what the pitcher is doing and reacting to it. It seems you’re involved in just about every play. It’s nice to be out there and play the game you love and where you want to be. I would love to stay at shortstop. Everybody knows I want to play shortstop.”

Machado’s greatest value is at third base. But he won’t see it that way. In his first year back at shortstop after five years at third base, Machado has often looked a bit out of his league. He does make the routine plays and flashes some range on occasion, but his third-base play might be the best of any defender at any position and that includes Mookie Betts in right field.

One National League scout went so far as to say, “Manny Machado is the best third baseman I have ever seen and I watched Adrian Beltre as a young player and I thought he was the best I had ever seen until I saw Manny. He makes plays with that wide wing span of his that defy logic. I’m not sure why he doesn’t get the rush playing there. He’s an outstanding defender, but I think he’s taking away from some of his game playing shortstop because it’s tougher on the body.”

Machado will make a lot of money no matter where he plays. The Dodgers have a great chance to re-sign him if Machado wants to stay there. But the same suspects — Phillies, Yankees, Brewers — will likely make bids to obtain him as a free agent. It’ll be interesting to see how Machado does initially in LA. He’ll have to get used to new ballparks, new backgrounds, new pitchers, and everything that comes with changing leagues. On the flip side he might be more motivated to step on the field every night knowing there’s something to play for. Though when I asked him about how tough it was playing in a non-winning environment in Baltimore, he said, “It wasn’t hard at all. You don’t go into every game thinking you’re going to lose.”

Apropos of nothing

1. Jed Lowrie finds himself in a weird position because since he’s been with the A’s, all he’s heard is that he’s going to be traded. For the first time, he said, he’s hearing from management that they’d like to re-sign him. Lowrie, who has 16 homers in this, his first All-Star season, which ties his career high that he set in 2012 with Houston, says he wants to stay. because he loves the A’s. “The only thing I can see that surprises me is how quickly the younger guys have matured and done the little things to help us win consistently. That’s a maturation process that usually takes longer,” Lowrie said. On his own situation, he said “I can say definitively they [A’s management] didn’t express an interest the last time around and they’ve expressed an interest this time. It was 100 percent I was getting traded last year. Now they want to re-sign me.”

2. Matt Kemp has had an incredible turnaround to his career with the Dodgers this season and could be the National League MVP. He said he’s surprised that former Dodgers’ teammate Hanley Ramirez isn’t playing. “I think everybody is pretty surprised,” Kemp said. “That’s a big bat. A power bat that could help anyone. Older guys can help teams win, too. Older guys might be more expensive but sometimes it’s worth it. Hanley should be playing. Hopefully we’ll see him.”

3. Jon Lester has become a good hitter after spending most of his career as one of the worst hitters in baseball. He’s 0 for 36 in the AL. Lester is now used to laying down sacrifice bunts, and he’s hit a three- run homer. Granted he’s only hitting .125 but he’s driven in seven runs. “I ran into Freddie Freeman and he said, ‘For three years you couldn’t hit and now you’re hitting home runs.’ When I was in the American League my job was pitching and I didn’t want to get hurt doing other stuff. But now I’m in the lineup and I’ve got to be able to do something. At first it was getting bunts down. It’s been fun to learn to hit and see results. I’ve worked hard with Chili [Davis] and other hitting coaches I’ve had. It’s something I’ve worked hard on and happy that I’m contributing,” Lester said.

4. For the first time, the World Baseball/Softball Confederation has granted the United States the right to hold the Women’s Baseball World Cup. Two former USA team players, DonnaMills and Ashley Cook, recently visited Fenway with the World Cup trophy. Helen Nordquist and Barbara Parks Young of the All- American Girls Professional Baseball League (the film “A League of Their Own” was based on that 1940s league) were also at Fenway. The tournament will be played at USSSA Space Coast Complex in Viera, Fla., August 22-31.

5. There are a few folks around the Pawtucket Red Sox situation who feel the PawSox will be playing in Worcester in the future. Those folks tell us that the International League would not approve the deal as structured and the city of Pawtucket would be put into financial hardship. Worcester has a solid plan and corporate interest.

6. Yankees’ GM Brian Cashman would not give up either prospect Justus Sheffield or third baseman Miguel Andujar in potential deals for Manny Machado or Indians lefty reliever Brad Hand. Will he for Mets righty Jacob deGrom? Despite his reluctance to part with top prospects, the Yankees were in on Machado until the end offering a package that included third baseman Brandon Drury.

7. The Indians were pretty smart in giving up prospect catcher Francisco Mejia in the Brad Hand deal. While Mejia has upside as a hitter, there’s doubt as to whether he’s a bona fide major league catcher. The Padres will keep him there to see if he can prove himself. The Indians also got emerging sidearm reliever Adam Cimber. Good job by Indians president Chris Antonetti and his staff.

8. One of the great guys in baseball, Washington assistant GM Doug Harris, has leukemia and he’s undergoing a costly experimental treatment. His wife Lisa has started a GoFundMe page .

Updates on nine 1. Mike Moustakas, 3B/1B, Royals — Not breaking news but officials in the Royals’ organization expect Moustakas to get dealt whether it be to play third or first somewhere. The Yankees, Braves, Phillies, and Cardinals all seem to be in position to obtain the soon-to-be free agent.

2. Josh Donaldson, 3B, Blue Jays — The Jays seem to be anxiously awaiting Donaldson’s return to the active roster for two reasons — they want to make room for Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who is playing again after a long stint on the disabled list, and they’re hoping to deal Donaldson. It doesn’t appear he’ll go before the non-waiver trading deadline, but there’s a distinct possibility he could be dealt in August if he clears waivers. At least that’s the Blue Jays’ hope.

3. John Gibbons, manager, Blue Jays — Will Gibbons survive the poor season the Blue Jays have had? The people we’ve talked to around the Jays’ situation don’t feel he will. Who team president Mark Shapiro and GM Ross Atkins peg as their next manager is anyone’s guess. Some believe the new manager will have an Indians background. Eric Wedge is employed by the Jays as a special assistant and could be a candidate. Shapiro is also very familiar with John Farrell, but Farrell, having already managed in Toronto, may not be received well after he left his contract early to join the Red Sox. A great choice would be bench coach DeMarlo Hale.

4. Sonny Gray, RHP, Yankees — There are a couple of teams sending scouts to watch Gray pitch as the second half opens. Are the Yankees trying to move Gray? That’s the impression some teams are getting. The feeling seems to be he belongs in a smaller market. The Yankees could turn around and flip prospects for a front-line starter.

5. Cole Hamels, LHP, Rangers — Hamels will likely be dealt by July 31st, but interested teams want to see him pitch better before they devote prospects in a deal for him. There’s no doubt that the Phillies, Yankees, Braves, and possibly the Red Sox have interest. Hamels is trying to work out some mechanical issues.

6. Dan Straily, RHP, Marlins — He’s getting some interest from teams looking at a back-end starter. The Marlins feel they can get the Red Sox interested. The Marlins aren’t completely enamored by the choices from the Red Sox farm system. There is some sentiment for Blake Swihart but with Christian Vazquez gone until September sometime, the Red Sox may not be able to swing such a deal.

7. Zach Britton, LHP, Orioles — With Brad Hand off the market, Britton is next. The Red Sox, Dodgers, Astros, Phillies, Yankees, Giants, A’s, and others are interested. The Orioles have had a scout trying to find prospects in Boston’s Double-A Portland team. Third baseman Michael Chavis is the player they’d like to see, but he hasn’t played much lately coming off an 80-game PED suspension.

8. Josh Hader, LHP, Brewers — The consensus among baseball people with whom I’ve discussed the hateful, racist, sexist, homophobic tweets that surfaced from his teenage years think Hader will never be fully free from the tweets that were recovered from seven years ago. Teammate Lorenzo Cain came to his defense, but others around the game won’t be so kind. Yes, people change, but unfortunately as one AL player said, “He’ll always be remembered for saying racist things.”

9. Jeff Banister, manager, Rangers — Texas’s awful season has put Banister in possible firing range. Rangers’ GM Jon Daniels may have an interesting decision to make as he evaluates the team and the way it’s run to see whether a managerial change could create a better team attitude. While the Rangers will look to retool rather than rebuild, they’ll have the money to pursue pitching in the offseason.

Extra innings

From the Bill Chuck files: “Chris Sale has started three straight All-Star Games, so it shouldn’t surprise anyone that over the last three “first halves,” Sale leads baseball with 35 wins. However, in his career [since 2010], Sale has totaled just 32 wins after the All-Star break.” Also, “The Dodgers are looking for Manny Machado to provide them with the numbers that Manny Ramirez put up when he joined LA in 2008 from Boston: In 53 games, Manny hit .396 with 17 HRs and 53 RBIs (and a 1.232 WHIP).” . . . Happy birthday Sparky Lyle (74).

Heath Hembree has gained the Red Sox’ trust

Peter Abraham

DETROIT — Heath Hembree has pitched parts of six seasons in the majors, all in relief, and has yet to record a save. He always has been a complementary part of the bullpen, somebody playing a role.

But Hembree has become essentially a mid-game closer for the Red Sox this season, a pitcher manager Alex Cora trusts to shut down rallies in the sixth or seventh inning.

“Little by little he’s becoming a very important piece of our bullpen,” Cora said on Saturday before the Tigers beat the Red Sox, 5-0.

With the Sox leading, 1-0, on Friday night, Hembree entered the game in the seventh inning with a runner on first and one out. He struck out Jose Iglesias and JaCoby Jones on seven pitches.

Hembree has inherited 21 runners this season and only three have scored.

“In the beginning [of the season] I was trying to get a feel on how to use him,” Cora said. “I do now. He’s a guy that with traffic on he’ll come in and shut it down.”

Hembree was largely a righthanded specialist under former manager John Farrell. But lefties have only a .607 OPS against him this season.

“He’s 97 [miles per hour] up in the [strike] zone and a good slider,” Cora said. “He gets swings and misses in those situations, against righties and lefties. You look at his numbers against lefties and he’s becoming a guy I really like in those situations.”

For Hembree, knowing Cora has a plan for him before the game starts makes all the difference.

“I feel like Alex trusts me in whatever situation,” he said. “But when there are men on base at a certain point in the game, I know it’ll probably be me.

“I’ve been able to mentally prepare because I have an idea when I’ll pitch. It’s impossible to be locked in for nine innings, but when you can figure the spot in the game when you’re going in, you can get focused and that really helps.”

Martinez out

J.D. Martinez had a wrap around the middle of his body as he walked through the clubhouse before the game. It was not hard to figure out why.

“I ran into a wall,” he said.

Indeed he did, a jarring collision with the padded green wall at the 385-foot mark in right center in the third inning on Friday night.

Martinez held onto the ball hit by Jones as he hit the wall face first and stayed in the game.

“Just a big dude at full speed hitting that wall,” Cora said.

The manager decided to be cautious with the major league leader in RBIs and did not use him on Saturday because of what was termed “general soreness.” He should be back on Sunday.

“He wasn’t feeling great after the game,” Cora said. “I decided to give him the day.”

Cora said the incident would not cause him to restrict how often Martinez plays in the field.

“No. He likes playing the field. I take that into consideration,” Cora said.

From 2016-17, Martinez had only six games and 29 plate appearance as the DH.

Vacation ends Outside of the nine pitches he threw in the All-Star Game on Tuesday, Chris Sale will be working on 10 days of rest when he takes the mound on Sunday afternoon.

That wasn’t necessarily how the Red Sox planned it, but when the opportunity arose to give their ace a long break, they took it.

Cora expects there to be benefits. Sale had a six-day break in early June and is 5-1 with an 0.94 earned run average in seven starts since.

“The last time he got a long break he came out throwing 100,” the manager said. “He should be fine. Physically, it’s good for him. The inning he pitched in the All-Star Game benefits him to stay sharp.”

The tentative rotation for the rest of the season has Sale getting a few more extended breaks.

“If everything goes the way we’re planning on. There’s going to be certain days he pitches with six days off. It’s going to be great for him,” Cora said.

Pearce plan Through Friday, Steve Pearce was 6 of 12 with four extra-base hits against lefthanders since the Sox obtained him from the Toronto Blue Jays on June 28.

For the season, he has a 1.035 OPS against lefties. So Jackie Bradley Jr., Andrew Benintendi, or Mitch Moreland will get a day off to keep Pearce in the lineup against lefthanders.

“We went over the scenarios. When there’s a lefty on the mound, Steve will play and somebody has to sit,” Cora said.

Devers returns

Rafael Devers was activated off the disabled list and started at third base. He was 1 for 4 with two strikeouts and an error. Thanks to the All-Star break, he missed only six games. With Brock Holt expected to miss a few days after being spiked in his right knee on Friday, the Sox retained infielder Tzu-Wei Lin and optioned Bobby Poyner to Triple A Pawtucket . . . The Sox had a seven-game road win streak snapped and lost for only the second time in 15 games . . . Both Ryan Brasier and Hector Velazquez rode Detroit’s bullpen cart into the game. Brasier was used to it from playing in Japan. “I wanted to drive and they wouldn’t let me,” Velazquez said.

* The Boston Herald

Red Sox notebook: J.D. Martinez takes night off after collision with wall leaves him with ‘general soreness’

Jason Mastrodonato

DETROIT — J.D. Martinez paid the price for a nice catch on Friday night, but the Red Sox won’t let a minor injury stop them from using him fairly regularly in the outfield.

Martinez chased down and caught a fly ball headed for the gap in the third inning of the Red Sox’ 1-0 win in the series opener against the Tigers, then crashed hard into the wall. He used his right wrist and left shoulder to brace the impact.

Martinez finished the game but reported “general soreness” to manager Alex Cora afterward. He was not in the Red Sox’ lineup last night.

“Just a little bit sore,” Cora said. “He ran into the wall yesterday. Yesterday he wasn’t feeling great after the game so I decided to give him today.

“At the same time, these guys that make the All-Star Game, they really don’t have an All-Star break because of everything that goes on. They take batting practice on Monday, they play on Tuesday. The travel and all that. He’s getting the day off because he ran into the wall but I think it’s a good day for him anyways.”

Martinez had back spasms that caused him to miss a few games earlier in the year, but has otherwise been healthy since signing a five-year deal with the Red Sox in the offseason.

One of the few questions about Martinez during his free agency was his ability to stay healthy. He missed six weeks in 2016 after breaking his elbow while crashing into the wall, and missed six weeks in 2017 with a sprained foot.

While playing the outfield adds sizable risk of injury for the 30-year-old slugger, the Red Sox haven’t stopped sending him to the corner spots about every other day.

Martinez has played 54 games as a designated hitter, hitting .290 with 31 extra-base hits. He’s played 39 games in the outfield, hitting .370 with 22 extra-base hits.

The Red Sox did not feel the need to put Martinez through any tests after Friday night’s impact, nor will they stop sending him to the outfield.

“No, he likes playing the field,” Cora said. “And I take that into consideration. Actually, yesterday I met with Mitch Moreland and with Jackie Bradley Jr., and we went over the scenarios. Obviously with Steve Pearce now, when there’s a lefty on the mound, Steve will play, and somebody has to sit. When we have to sit Andrew Benintendi or Jackie, J.D. will play the outfield.”

Martinez has been occasionally substituted for a defensive replacement in the late innings, but Cora chose not to on Friday when the Sox were protecting a 1-0 lead in an erratic game that saw the Tigers’ reach third base with fewer than two outs twice without scoring.

“Where we were in the lineup, I felt like we had to stay with him,” Cora said. “In right field, we’re fine. And honestly with the way Craig Kimbrel is throwing the ball, it’s either weak contact or a strikeout, so I take that into consideration. And that’s why we stayed with him.”

Devers returns

There’s no guarantee Rafael Devers’ shoulder inflammation won’t hinder him, but the player and the Red Sox felt like he was healthy enough to jump back into the starting lineup last night, the first day he was eligible to return from the 10-day disabled list.

Devers first injured his shoulder in a mid-June series with the Seattle Mariners and played for a few weeks through the pain.

Asked if the injury was behind Devers now, Cora said, “We’re about to see. No, he should be fine. We were joking with him, like, Xander Bogaerts, rehab assignment. Brock Holt, he needed a rehab assignment. And all of a sudden, you’re 21, and you don’t need it? So, you better be ready to perform.”

Devers worked out in the Dominican Republic during the All-Star break and swung the bat without restriction, which gave the Sox confidence the third baseman was ready.

Holt was out of the lineup after getting spiked in the knee during a second base collision Friday.

“He’s doing OK, just a little bit sore,” Cora said. “Probably stay away from him today and tomorrow. Hopefully he can start on Monday.”

The Sox optioned lefty Bobby Poyner back to Triple-A Pawtucket to make room for Devers. Because of Holt’s injury, they wanted to maintain infield depth and chose to keep Tzu-Wei Lin around.

Sale rested, ready

Chris Sale will begin his second half today and his manager is expecting the radar gun to be lighting up.

“Well, the last time he got a long break, he came out throwing 100 mph,” Cora said. “Hopefully he doesn’t throw 102 mph.”

Sale will have had 10 days between starts, though he did start the All-Star Game and threw nine pitches in the first inning.

“I think, physically, it’s good for him,” Cora said. “I think the inning pitched in the All-Star Game benefits him to stay sharp and he should be fine. He’s excited about it.

“Whenever we have a chance to take care of them through the season, we will do it. . . . With the off days, if everything goes the way we’re planning on, there’s going to be certain days he’s going to pitch (after) six days off so it’s going to be great for him.”

MLB Notes: Second half stories aplenty for Red Sox

Jason Mastrodonato

With only 62 games left after Saturday for the Red Sox to win the division and establish crucial home-field advantage in the American League, we did a thorough analysis of second-half storylines as we look ahead to the most exciting, and most concerning, stories to pay attention to down the stretch.

EXCITING

Mookie Betts and the MVP race.

With all the attention on Mike Trout, Betts’ monster first half might have been overlooked outside New England. Judging by baseball writers’ commentary, Trout looked like the consensus pick to win his third MVP award at the All-Star break.

In reality, this is going to be decided in the second half. According to FanGraphs, Trout, Betts and Jose Ramirez each finished the first half worth 6.5 wins above replacement, an insane number given only eight players (and two pitchers) eclipsed that during the entire 2017 season.

Trout: 71 R, 25 HR, 50 RBI, 15-for-16 SB, .310 AVG, .454 OBP, 1.060 OPS

Betts: 79 R, 23 HR, 51 RBI, 18-for-20 SB, .359 AVG, .448 OBP, 1.139 OPS

Ramirez: 68 R, 29 HR, 70 RBI, 20-for-23 SB, .302 AVG, .401 OBP, 1.029 OPS

All three of them are considered excellent defenders.

A case could certainly be made that Betts had the best first half, especially since he had more than 60 fewer plate appearances than each of them due to an injury.

But if Betts finishes with an average near .350, the award should almost definitely be his. The only other two players to finish a season with at least a .350 average and 30 home runs since steroid testing began are Albert Pujols in 2008 and Josh Hamilton in 2010. Both of them won the MVP.

J.D. Martinez and the Triple Crown.

In 2012, when Miguel Cabrera won the first Triple Crown since Carl Yastrzemski did it in 1967, Cabrera entered the All-Star break with 18 home runs. Fourteen players had more, led by Hamilton and Jose Bautista with 27. Cabrera’s 71 RBI ranked second. His .324 average ranked 12th.

It took a brilliant second half, and a little help from his competitors, to pull off one of the rarest feats in baseball. He hit .337 with 26 homers and 68 RBI in just 75 games to finish at .330, 44 and 139.

Martinez is in way better position. He entered the All-Star break tied for first in home runs (29), first in RBI (80) by eight, and third in batting average (.328), trailing only Jose Altuve (.332) and Betts (.359).

It looks like his own teammate might have the best chance of ruining his Triple Crown chances, but Martinez has positioned himself well. If he does win, it’ll be the fourth Triple Crown won by a Red Sox player, joining Yaz and Ted Williams (1942, 1947). No other team has four Triple Crowns since the start of the 1900s.

Trade deadline inching closer: What will the Red Sox do?

It’s hard to pick on the bullpen with a 3.27 ERA, fifth-best in the majors, that only recently got Tyler Thornburg back from a long battle with thoracic outlet syndrome. Craig Kimbrel is still a force (though his walk rate has almost doubled from last year) and Matt Barnes has taken a giant step forward into one of the elite set-up men in baseball (just one home run allowed in 42 innings). But something about the late innings still seems uncertain.

Will Joe Kelly be back in form by playoff time? Will Thornburg still be healthy and effective? It’s a big risk to rely on them, and considering how well Dave Dombrowski has maneuvered the trade deadline the last two years, the expectation is that he’ll once again secure a very good reliever at a modest cost.

The more interesting areas of need are the back end of the starting rotation and second/third base. It seems inevitable that they’ll have to get at least one more infielder. Rafael Devers is on the DL with shoulder inflammation and it’s no guarantee he’ll return as a productive player soon. Brock Holt can fill in nicely at second or third, but Eduardo Nunez — playing all year on a bad knee — still hasn’t been a productive player. Triple-A Pawtucket has nobody the Red Sox should be able to rely upon in a pennant race.

Behind Chris Sale, David Price and Rick Porcello, the Sox right now must rely on Brian Johnson and Hector Velazquez in the rotation. That might be OK for a little while, and with Steven Wright and Drew Pomeranz slowly working their way back, the Sox should be safe avoiding upgrades for the time being.

Worst-case scenario, they’re forced to add a depth starter who clears waivers in August.

A moment of appreciation for Steve Pearce.

Rarely does a late-June trade of a 35-year-old cause such a dramatic increase in lineup depth, but that’s exactly what Pearce did for the Red Sox on June 28.

It’s simple, really. Pearce destroys left-handed pitching and has better than most hitters for some time now. He’s hitting .339 with a 1.019 OPS against them this year, .265 with an .843 OPS in his career.

On the flip side, the Red Sox had a tremendous need. They ranked 29th in OPS against lefty pitching on May 28, the day Hanley Ramirez was designated for assignment. And while they started to turn that around in June, Pearce gives them a true threat to put in the three- or four-hole against lefties while lengthening the lineup.

And then there’s the Mitch Moreland conundrum: How much do you play him? He slowed down last year with too much playing time, though a broken foot didn’t help his cause, and his production against left- handed pitching has been inconsistent. With Pearce around, he has a true platoon partner.

CONCERNING

Eduardo Rodriguez and the history of sprained ankles for pitchers.

Sprained ankles are common for position players, and it makes sense if you think about all the defensive and base running plays that present a risk of injury. But sprained ankles for pitchers are rare.

Rodriguez suffered one just before the All-Star break and the results were worse than the Red Sox feared. He has serious ligament damage in his right ankle, on his landing foot. Ligament damage can often be more frustrating than a clean break because it doesn’t heal easily in a cast. Instead, it often lingers. Rodriguez will be in a boot for two weeks, then it’s anyone’s guess how effective he might be when he tries to pitch again.

Rodriguez was just the fourth pitcher to hit the DL with a sprained ankle this year, and the sixth pitcher to do so in the last three years. There aren’t a lot of success stories.

This year, Luiz Gohara missed one month with a sprained ankle and has a 5.95 ERA with the Braves. The Giants’ Johnny Cueto missed only 10 days, but three starts later he hurt his elbow. Dylan Bundy was having a good season (3.75 ERA) with the Orioles before missing two weeks with a sprained ankle, and has a 12.27 ERA in two starts since.

The best example is Sergio Romo, who missed 10 days in June 2017 with an ankle sprain, then posted a 2.00 ERA over 31 relief appearances upon his return.

All this to say that Rodriguez’ recovery is anything but a slam dunk.

Did Sale save enough gas?

Sale’s first two years in Boston look very similar on paper, but different in how the results came to be.

In 2017, Sale went nuts in his first 10 starts, offering some of his highest velocity numbers of the season while piling up strikeouts. He also threw a lot of pitches. By June and July, his velocity was down, he started getting hit and he ultimately lost a narrow Cy Young Award race to Corey Kluber. Worse, he wasn’t fresh in September and October.

This year, Sale took it easy his first 10 starts, showing some of his lowest velocity numbers of the season. (He averaged just 90 mph on his fastball in an April game against the Orioles.) But by mid-May he was averaging 97 mph; by mid-June, 99 mph.

In total, Sale ended up throwing 129 innings and 2,025 pitches through 20 starts this year, compared to 1411⁄3 innings and 2,196 pitches through 20 starts last year.

But with the velocity numbers much higher this time around, it’s fair to wonder how much energy he’s spent to get to the same points. And how much gas he might have saved for the end of the season.

Relying on Jackie Bradley Jr. on offense means relying on Martinez on defense.

The Red Sox have two very capable backup center fielders in Betts and Andrew Benintendi, but whenever they play one of them in center to rest Bradley, Martinez plays the outfield.

Depending which defensive numbers one comes across, the readings on Martinez’ defensive ability varies, but it’s always in the range of very bad to average, and never really above. He’s proven to be quite adequate out in the corner spots this year, making the occasional blunder to go with the occasional nice play. But if Bradley runs into another long slump at the plate as the playoffs get closer, will the Red Sox prioritize outfield defense or total offensive production?

Assuming they add one more bat via trade, they should have options at DH on days when Martinez plays the field. Pearce is one. Whomever they might add could be another.

But if they don’t add anybody, and if Pearce proves to be most effective only against lefties, Alex Cora’s hands may be tied to Bradley, who struck out 39 times in a span of 91 at-bats in April-May.

On the plus side, Bradley finished the first half hitting .323 with 10 extra-base hits in his last 18 games.

Johnson impresses, but Sox bats go silent again in Detroit

Jason Mastrodonato

DETROIT — Before the Red Sox make any trades to address their potential starting pitching needs, they’ve discovered an important piece of information: Brian Johnson is good enough to contribute.

Tuesday they’ll learn more about the status of Drew Pomeranz, the injured left-hander who makes his first start since May 31. And they’re still unsure how long Eduardo Rodriguez (ankle) and Steven Wright (knee) will be out with injuries.

But last night, Johnson pitched five strong innings and allowed just two unearned runs while the Red Sox offense remained quiet in a 5-0 loss to the Tigers.

“Yeah, B.J. can pitch,” manager Alex Cora said. “He does a good job with what he has going up in the zone throwing the breaking ball, expanding down and in against righties. It might seem like a comfortable at-bat but it’s actually not. What you see is not what you get as far as up in the zone. You set your sights up and that pitch is higher than what you think it is, just like (Tigers starter) Mike Fiers.

“We’re very happy the way he’s throwing the ball. We’re comfortable with him and we’ll keep rolling with him.”

The short break seems to have sapped the life out of the Red Sox offense, which collected just eight singles. With a 1-0 win on Friday night to start the second half, the Sox have scored just once in 18 innings while going 14-for-67 (.209) with one extra-base hit.

The hitters who played in the All-Star Game have gone a combined 3-for-20. Mookie Betts is 2-for-9, Mitch Moreland is 1-for-8, J.D. Martinez is 0-for-3 (he didn’t play last night after slamming into the wall on Friday).

But Johnson provided the silver lining, going five strong innings, striking out five without walking anyone. He allowed two unearned runs on five hits, with both runs scoring off a double by Jose Iglesias after an error by Rafael Devers extended the inning.

“He did a good job,” Cora said of Johnson. “We don’t make a play and then the pitch to Iglesias, probably location wasn’t what we wanted. If we’re going to go in it should be up and in. He’s very quick in there. Put a good swing on and they scored two runs. But overall, that’s what we’re asking for him to give us: a chance to win.”

Despite bouncing between the bullpen and starting rotation, Johnson now has a 3.81 ERA overall, and a 2.91 ERA in his last nine major league starts.

“Looking back, I think going to the bullpen has actually made some of my offspeed pitches better,” Johnson said. “I feel like my slider has come a long way from last year and the year before. I think going to the bullpen has helped me to get better.”

It was the only way Johnson could make the team out of spring training, when he was out of options and fighting for a roster spot.

“For me, you come out of the bullpen throwing almost like two-strike pitches immediately,” Johnson said. “Going to the bullpen has allowed me to do that and throw it harder and get more action on it.”

Last night, he was matched up against Fiers, who was even better and held the Red Sox scoreless on seven hits over 61⁄3 innings. ESPN reported yesterday that the Red Sox were evaluating Fiers as a possible trade candidate.

There was plenty of traffic on the bases but the Red Sox had a mix of bad luck with bad timing in this one.

Down 2-0 in the sixth, they put runners on the corners for Jackie Bradley Jr., who blasted one to the warning track that landed a few feet short, and in a Detroit outfielder’s glove.

With two on in the seventh, Xander Bogaerts grounded into an inning-ending double play and slammed his helmet on the ground in frustration.

The Red Sox left 10 on base.

Afterward, Cora praised Fiers, who he coached last year while with the Houston Astros.

“Honestly, I saw him last year, and for everything we talk about, the big boys (in the Astros rotation), there was a point in time there where he was the most valued pitcher,” Cora said. “For a month and a half he carried that pitching staff. They were a little banged up and he came in and did a good job. That’s what he does.”

Tyler Thornburg had a rough outing, serving up a homer to Iglesias while allowing three runs in the sixth.

“I feel like I’m one thing away from clicking and getting on a roll,” said Thornburg, who has allowed five runs in 41⁄3 innings this year. “I want to get back to being the guy that I can be. I know, regardless of numbers, if I get back to that point at some period this year, then all of a sudden I’m going to be able to help a hell of a lot more than I am.”

Offense still on break as Detroit shuts out Sox

Jason Mastrodonato

DETROIT — Maybe the Red Sox sent too many players to the All-Star Game.

The short break has sapped the life out of the Red Sox offense, which collected just eight singles in a 5-0 defeat to the Detroit Tigers last night.

After a 1-0 win on Friday night to start the second half, the Red Sox have scored just once in 18 innings while going 14-for-67 (.209) with one extra-base hit in those two games.

The hitters who played in the All-Star Game have combined to go 3-for-20.

Mookie Betts is 2-for-9, Mitch Moreland is 1-for-8, J.D. Martinez is 0-for-3 (he didn’t play last night after slamming into the wall on Friday).

Matt Boyd kept the Red Sox in check on Friday, and yesterday it was Mike Fiers who shut them down over 61⁄3 scoreless innings.

ESPN reported yesterday the Red Sox were evaluating Fiers as a possible trade candidate.

There was plenty of traffic on the bases but the Red Sox had a mix of bad luck with bad timing in this one.

Down 2-0 in the sixth, the Sox put runners on the corners for Jackie Bradley Jr., who blasted one to the warning track, where it was caught a few feet short of producing any runs.

With two on in the seventh, Xander Bogaerts grounded into an inning-ending double play and slammed his helmet on the ground in frustration afterward.

The Red Sox left 10 runners on base.

At least they now know Brian Johnson is a dependable starter. Johnson pitched five strong innings, striking out five without walking anyone. He allowed two unearned runs on five hits. He has a 2.91 ERA in his last nine major league starts.

Tyler Thornburg had a rough outing, serving up a homer to Jose Iglesias while allowing three runs in the sixth.

Red Sox bullpen rolling as trade deadline nears

Jason Mastrodonato

DETROIT -- With Brandon Workman’s emergence, Tyler Thornburg’s return and the surprising results from minor league signing Ryan Brasier, the Red Sox’ bullpen is as deep as its been all year.

That shouldn’t stop president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski from shopping around for another set-up guy before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.

“I mean, honestly, that’s not my job,” Cora said. “My job is to manage this team, and I trust the guys that we have.”

Given the Red Sox have a historically good team so far in the regular season, Cora implied that the Sox could get even better before trade season is over.

“We’re in a good position,” he said. “We put ourselves in a position that, it’s not that you put pressure on ownership or Dave, but they understand that this is a special group, and that’s the only thing that we can control. Obviously we have had conversations about everything that’s going on in the league, and teams always try to improve, but I’m comfortable with the guys we have. I think we have a lot of options.”

Particularly in the bullpen, where Matt Barnes has evolved into an elite set-up guy who has allowed just one home run in 43 innings while posting a 1.09 WHIP and 2.30 ERA.

Barnes thinks a big part of his success is owed to his growing ability to stay composed with men on base in tight games.

“Yeah that’s all of it, right?” he said. “You have to bear down and make pitches, know that what you’re doing is working and not try to do too much. That’s one of those things that having pitched in those situations over the past year or two, you kind of become a little more comfortable. You can’t try to do more because that’s when it gets worse.”

Cora said Barnes had a reputation for not staying composed prior to this year.

“Everything I heard from last year, the game will kind of speed up on him,” Cora said. “That’s not the case now. It’s actually the other way around. He slows down. (Friday), he had Nick Castellanos with a man at third, less than two outs, and he executes his pitches up in the zone and he’s able to get him out.

“He’s another guy that, he’s very comfortable in his role. Whether it’s the seventh or the eighth, he’s doing an outstanding job for us.”

Thornburg has allowed two runs on five hits in 3-⅓ innings since coming back from his long battle with thoracic outlet syndrome, though the Sox haven’t called his number too often.

“I mean, he’s healthy, and little by little we have to use him,” Cora said. “We’re in this stretch that it seems like when we have the lead in the seventh, eighth and ninth inning we have our guys and they’re doing an outstanding job. Joe Kelly has struggled a little bit but Barnes, Heath Hembree.

“We brought (Thornburg) in in Kansas City up four. It didn't go the way we wanted it to. Brasier had been throwing the ball well. We just have to find a spot. He’ll contribute. We can’t run these guys every day, regardless of winning a lot of games. Velocity is good, the changeup is great the last time he pitched, the breaking ball is a work in progress. We trust him, it’s just a matter of finding spots for him to pitch.”

J.D. Martinez out of Red Sox lineup after wall run-in

Jason Mastrodonato

DETROIT -- J.D. Martinez paid the price for a nice catch on Friday night, but the Red Sox won’t let a minor injury stop them from using Martinez fairly regularly in the outfield.

Martinez chased down a fly ball headed for the gap in the third inning of the Red Sox’ 1-0 win over the Detroit Tigers on Friday and made the catch, then crashed hard into the wall. He used his right wrist and left shoulder to brace the impact.

Martinez finished the game but reported “general soreness” to manager Alex Cora afterward. He was not in the Red Sox’ lineup on Saturday.

“Just a little bit sore,” Cora explained. “He ran into the wall yesterday. Yesterday he wasn’t feeling great after the game so I decided to give him today.

“At the same time, these guys that make the All-Star Game, they really don’t have an All-Star break because of everything that goes on. They take batting practice on Monday, they play on Tuesday. The travel and all that. He’s getting the day off because he ran into the wall but I think it’s a good day for him anyways.”

Martinez had back spasms that caused him to miss a few games earlier in the year, but has otherwise been healthy since signing a five-year deal with the Red Sox in the offseason.

One of the few questions about Martinez during his free agency was about his ability to stay healthy. He missed six weeks in 2016 after breaking his elbow while crashing into the wall, and missed six more weeks in 2017 with a sprained foot.

While playing the outfield adds sizable risk of injury for the 30-year-old slugger, the Red Sox haven’t stopped sending him to the corner spots about every other day.

Martinez has played 54 games as a designated hitter, hitting .290 with 31 extra-base hits. He’s played 39 games in the outfield, hitting .370 with 22 extra-base hits.

The Red Sox did not feel the need to put Martinez through any tests after Friday night’s collision, nor will they stop sending him to the outfield.

“No, he likes playing the field,” Cora said. “And I take that into consideration. Actually, yesterday I met with Mitch Moreland and with Jackie Bradley Jr., and we went over the scenarios. Obviously with Steve Pearce now, when there’s a lefty on the mound, Steve will play, and somebody has to sit. When we have to sit Andrew Benintendi or Jackie, J.D. will play the outfield.”

Martinez has been occasionally substituted out for a defensive replacement in the late innings, but Cora chose not to on Friday night when the Sox were protecting a 1-0 lead in an erratic game that saw the Tigers’ reach third base with fewer than two outs twice without scoring.

“Where we were in the lineup, I felt like we had to stay with him,” Cora said. “In right field, we’re fine. And honestly with the way Craig Kimbrel is throwing the ball, it’s either weak contact or a strikeout, so I take that into consideration. And that’s why we stayed with him.”

* MassLive.com

Dave Dombrowski has 9 days to trade for top reliever as Boston Red Sox's Tyler Thornburg, Joe Kelly remain uncertainties

Christopher Smith

DETROIT -- Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski has nine days to find the right eighth-inning man. But hasn't he been in pursuit of him for three years now?

The non-waiver trade deadline is right around the corner (July 31).

The Red Sox hoped Carson Smith (acquired at the 2015 winter meetings) or Tyler Thornburg (acquired at the 2016 winter meetings) would have assumed the eighth-inning role by this point. Smith struggled early this year, then suffered a right shoulder subluxation throwing his glove in frustration after giving up a homer to Oakland's Khris Davis on May 14, 2016. He underwent season-ending surgery.

Thornburg finally returned earlier this month after a long recovery from thoracic outlet syndrome surgery. But he has allowed five runs, all earned, seven hits and one walk in 4 1/3 innings (five outings) since the Red Sox activated him from the DL. The righty gave up three runs, including a two-run homer to Jose Iglesias, in the Red Sox's 5-0 loss to the Tigers here at Comerica Park on Saturday.

"I feel like I'm right there. I feel like I'm just one thing away from clicking and getting on a roll," Thornburg said. "I don't know what that one little thing is yet. I feel like that's why I kind of come in with a little bit of optimism every day. I'm like, 'Is this going to be the day something clicks?' Honestly, I don't really care about the numbers and stuff right now. I want to get back to being the guy that I can be."

Sure, Thornburg might emerge as one of Boston's top relievers by September. But Dombrowski has no way to determine over the next nine days whether this will happen.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said he's comfortable with his bullpen personnel.

"Honestly, that's not my job," Cora said when asked if he'd welcome another reliever. "My job is to manage this team. And I trust the guys that we have. We're in a good position. We put ourselves in a position that it's not that you put pressure on ownership or Dave but they understand this is a special group. And that's the only thing that we can control. Obviously we've had conversations about everything that's going on in the league. Teams always try to improve. But I'm comfortable with the guys we have. We've got a lot of options."

A trade is a must.

Cora needs one more option. Heath Hembree is this team's seventh-inning reliever right now.

Dombrowski needs to acquire someone like Zach Britton, preferably Britton himself who could serve as an Andrew Miller-type in the postseason. Britton has the ability to pitch multiple innings and bridge the gap from the starters to closer Craig Kimbrel.

Dombrowski needs to add someone better than Addison Reed, who he acquired at last year's deadline.

Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo noted the Orioles are scouting Double-A Portland where Michael Chavis is playing. He suggested a potential trade involving Britton for Chavis.

If the Red Sox can acquire Britton, a free agent this coming offseason, for Chavis, then they should do it.

Joe Kelly adds more uncertainty to the Red Sox bullpen as the trade deadline approaches. Kelly has posted a 9.22 ERA (14 earned runs, 13 2/3 innings) and 1.90 WHIP in 18 outings since the beginning of June.

Cora went to Matt Barnes instead of Kelly in the eighth inning Friday.

Matt Barnes is enjoying his best major league season with a 2.30 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 2.04 FIP in 43 innings. But he has struggled against the Yankees (2 1/3 innings, 4 earned runs) and Mariners (4 innings, 2 earned runs) who the Red Sox potentially could play in a Wild Card game if New York overtakes them for the AL East title.

Tyler Thornburg gives up homer to ex-Red Sox Jose Iglesias, Boston loses to Detroit Tigers

Christopher Smith

DETROIT -- Tyler Thornburg has experienced a difficult return to the big leagues after a long recovery from thoracic outlet syndrome surgery.

The righty reliever gave up three runs, all earned, on two hits and one walk in one inning against the Tigers on Saturday. Former Red Sox shortstop Jose Iglesias homered against him.

The Red Sox lost 5-0 here at Comerica Park.

Thornburg has allowed five runs, all earned, seven hits and one walk in 4 1/3 innings (five outings) since the Red Sox activated him from the DL.

Southpaw Brian Johnson started for Boston and pitched well. He allowed two unearned runs, five hits, didn't walk anybody and struck out five in 5 innings.

Johnson's ERA dropped from 4.20 to 3.81. He has a 2.22 ERA (24 1/3 innings, six earned runs) in five starts.

He left after throwing 77 pitches (53 pitches).

Thornburg replaced Johnson to start the sixth. He walked John Hicks to open the frame. Victor Martinez followed with a single to right on a 92.5 mph four-seam fastball.

Jeimer Candelario's sacrifice fly made it 3-0. Iglesias took Thornburg deep for a two-run homer to left field on a 92.7 mph four-seamer. That made it 5-0.

Red Sox squander chances

With the Tigers leading 2-1 in the sixth, Jackie Bradley Jr. smashed a 103.9-mph, 380-foot line drive to left field that JaCoby Jones caught at the wall. It ended the inning and stranded two runners.

The liner, which had a 91 percent hit probability, had a chance to be the game-tying double.

Singles by Mookie Betts and Andrew Benintendi put runners at the corners in the seventh with one out. But Xander Bogaerts grounded into a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning.

Bogaerts slammed down his helmet in frustration.

Betts robs Martin of homer

Mookie Betts, who robbed Rangers' Nomar Mazara of a home run July 10 at Fenway Park, robbed Leonys Martin of a homer here Saturday.

Check it out:

David Price, Boston Red Sox lefty: Josh Hader's tweets were 'a long time ago. I don't pass judgment'

Christopher Smith

DETROIT -- Red Sox pitcher David Price didn't hear about Milwaukee Brewers reliever Josh Hader's racist, sexist and anti-gay tweets until riding to Comerica Park with his teammates Friday.

"They were talking about it yesterday on the bus ride," Price said. "I didn't know."

The tweets from 2011 and '12 surfaced during the All-Star Game on Tuesday. Multiple tweets involved the N-word. One tweet included a fist emoji with the phrase "white power lol."

The 24-year-old Hader, who pitched in the game, locked his Twitter account and addressed the media that night. He apologized to his Brewers teammates Friday and will undergo sensitivity training.

He was 17 when he sent the tweets.

How does Price think African-American players on opposing teams will react when they see Hader and play against him?

"It was a long time ago," Price told MassLive.com here Saturday. "I don't know him personally. I've never held a conversation with anybody about him personally. So I don't pass judgment."

Price won't advise others around the league how to respond, "I'll let everybody make their own judgment."

Some people have suggested agents should scroll back through their clients' Twitter and social media accounts to make sure nothing controversial or potentially controversial exists.

"The team should," Price suggested. "Absolutely. We have media training, social media training, all that stuff in spring training. Yeah, I mean he's been on what, a couple teams now?"

The Orioles drafted Hader in the 19th round in 2012. They traded him to the Astros on July 31, 2015. The Astros traded Hader to the Brewers on July 30, 2015.

You hear stories about college admissions departments viewing prospective students' social media accounts. Same for employers with prospective hires. Teams should do the same before drafting and trading for players.

Price heard about Hader's family members removing their Hader jerseys during the All-Star Game.

"Yeah, they were giving them blank jerseys," Price said. "Yeah, that stinks. I feel for him."

Price said he hasn't seen the screenshots taken of the tweets. He knows specifics in the tweets. Price seems willing to move past it himself.

"I don't pass judgments," Price repeated. "I know he was very remorseful to his teammates about it."

The Red Sox lefty pointed out the same thing happened with Bills QB Josh Allen right before the 2018 NFL Draft.

"And like he said, he was young and stupid or young and dumb," Price said.

Price knows the importance for athletes to be careful with no matter what they tweet. He said it was "huge" for Royals teammate Lorenzo Cain to stand by Hader immediately.

"We all said some crazy stuff when we're young," Cain told reporters after the All-Star Game. "That's one reason why I don't have social media is because of things like this. You always get in trouble for things you said when you're younger. We'll move on from it. The situation is what it is. I know Hader. He's a great guy. I know he's a great teammate. I'm fine. Everybody will be OK."

Price knows Cain well.

"He's a good dude," Price said. "And I know Hader really appreciated that, especially coming from a teammate of color. So that was first-class by Lorenzo. I know that goes a long way for Hader."

Boston Red Sox pitching prospect Bryan Mata scratched from start for 'precautionary' reasons, per source

Chris Cotillo

Red Sox pitching prospect Bryan Mata was originally scheduled to start for High-A Salem on Saturday night, but the lineup posted by the team has Kevin McAvoy taking the bump. Mata is not pitching for "precautionary" reasons, according to a major-league source, so it doesn't appear a trade is imminent.

The source added that the club is giving a few extra days after pitching in the Futures Game last Sunday and that Mata will throw a side session instead. A second source said that the Red Sox skip all their young starting pitchers at points during this season and that Saturday is Mata's turn to be skipped.

Mata, 19, is considered one of Boston's top trade chips with Jay Groome (Tommy John surgery) and Michael Chavis (suspension) sidelined for most of this season. Boston has been linked to plenty of players on the open market and could dangle Mata in talks, though it doesn't appear tonight's decision not to start him is related to an imminent deal.

J.D. Martinez not in Boston Red Sox lineup because of 'general soreness;' Brock Holt should return Monday

Christopher Smith

DETROIT -- J.D. Martinez is not in the Red Sox's lineup Saturday vs. the Tigers. He's sore after crashing into the right field wall at Comerica Park making a catch during the third inning Friday.

"He's just a little bit sore," Cora said. "He wasn't feeling great after the game. So I decided to give him today. At the same time, these guys who make the All-Star Game, they really don't have an All-Star Break because of everything that goes on. They take batting practice on Monday. They play on Tuesday. They're traveling and all that.

"So he's getting the day off because he ran into the wall but I think it's a good day off for him anyways," Cora added.

Martinez sat out a couple games with back spasms earlier in the season but Cora said his back is not an issue. It's just "general soreness." He won't need to be checked out further," Cora said.

"Just a big dude, at full speed, hitting that wall," Cora said.

Holt should return Monday

Brock Holt left Friday's game after getting spiked in the right knee.

"He's doing OK. Just a little bit sore," Cora said. "Trying to stay away from him today and tomorrow. Hopefully he can start on Monday."

* The Worcester Telegram & Gazette

Baseball shouldn’t reward practice of tanking

Bill Ballou

In baseball, a batter can hit a 410-foot blast to center field that becomes just another out, or he can dribble a grounder down the third base line for a hit that will add two points to his average when the season stats are all done.

That’s baseball. It can reward failure, perhaps the only game that does that.

All the major league sports, though, reward failure away from the game by allotting the top draft choices to the worst teams. This leads to the sad phenomenon called “tanking,” an embarrassment at any level.

The Orioles trade of Manny Machado is more about getting something for something rather than letting him walk as a free agent this winter, but haven’t Baltimore’s fans suffered enough this year? The Orioles should offer anyone who bought a ticket this season a refund of sorts, maybe 50 percent off.

Royals fans, too. They deserve a rebate.

Baseball can’t outlaw tanking. It is impossible to prove, anyway. But baseball shouldn’t reward it, either. Technically, the commissioner could do something about it under the “best interests of baseball” clause in his job description, but that has only happened once.

Wouldn’t you know it — the once involved the Red Sox when Bowie Kuhn prevented Charlie Finley from dismantling his Oakland Athletics and tanking midway through the 1976 season. He sold reliever Rollie Fingers and outfielder Joe Rudi to the Red Sox and starter Vida Blue to the Yankees on June 15, the trade deadline in those days.

Kuhn vetoed the moves and all three Athletics stayed in Oakland. It is the only time a commissioner has done that.

It will likely remain the only time, so what can baseball do to prevent the historically time-honored, but nevertheless distasteful, practice of tanking?

Have teams draft every June by lottery, not by reverse standings. Finishing last will no longer guarantee picking first. Some years, the best teams will get lucky in the lottery and pick high and the worst teams will have more misery piled on.

Of course, there is an alternative for the bad teams. Don’t let yourself get bad or, even worse, try to get bad. While baseball does not have a salary cap, it does have a luxury tax and revenue sharing via that route. That does not create a completely level playing field, but it should prevent the abominable seasons that the Orioles and Royals are having in 2018.

Baseball Jeopardy

Answers.

1. The last Red Sox pitcher to throw just one pitch in a game and get a win.

2. The only two Red Sox position players in history who were switch-hitters and threw left-handed.

3. The only manager to have managed both the Red Sox and the Astros.

Questions below.

Pomeranz in Pawtucket

It remains to be seen if last week’s strong start by Drew Pomeranz in Pawtucket is what turns the corner for him. The Red Sox survived without him through the All-Star break, but their injury situation makes him more important. In any case, the way Boston handled his rehab — you will stay in the minors until you start getting batters out — is a refreshing change from not caring about Triple A results. ... Mookie Betts’ recent hot streak has quietly moved him into some impressive Red Sox company in the team’s history books. Betts has become a career .300 hitter after starting the year at .292. That is a significant uptick for someone with as many career at bats as he has. Betts is one of just 16 Sox batters with at least 2,000 at bats to have a career .300 average. Dustin Pedroia is on that least, too, also at exactly .300. ... Merely an observation, but it is odd that Tzu-Wei Lin has more career triples, 2, than Rafael Devers. He has yet to hit one in the majors. ... The PawSox are at McCoy Stadium most of this week after a long road trip. They play Columbus on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, then on Thursday morning. Charlotte provides the opposition next weekend.

Future of the PawSox

There could not possibly be a bigger disconnect with what is publicly coming out of Pawtucket and privately coming out of Worcester in terms of the Pawtucket Red Sox future.

Worcester’s negotiators are quietly confident that their bid for the Triple A team will prevail. There actually is not much more to negotiate while the Rhode Island proposal probably has more questions than answers at this stage of the talks. Sources in both cities say that leaders of the building and trade associations in Rhode Island, who have a huge stake in where the ballpark is built, believe that the team is headed north.

However, in a Providence Journal article by Brian Amaral last Wednesday, Lt. Gov. Dan McKee said, “Everything is really lined up to make this happen. It’s just a matter of making sure that all the due diligence is done and to make sure that it’s going to be economically feasible for the community and the PawSox organization.”

In other words, nobody yet knows how much the current PawSox proposal — the Mattiello Bill as it is now called — will cost.

The due diligence on the Worcester end is finished.

The team and Rhode Island officials have been talking, for sure, but Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien said the terms of a deal to keep the team there probably won’t be ready for several weeks.

In contrast, Worcester has been what sources describe as “pushing hard” for an agreement to be announced in what would seem to be a time frame sooner than several weeks.

The team’s response to the public comments was muted and reserved.

Team spokesman Bill Wanless said, “The PawSox and the City of Pawtucket have been meeting to discover the contents and consequences of the Mattiello Bill. They are in the thick of that examination now. Meanwhile, communication continues concurrently with other cities.”

Winning their positions

Won-lost records for position players can be a little deceptive, but at this point in the season the sample size is large to make some comparisons.

As a whole the Red Sox are playing .694 ball. Players better than that include Brock Holt at 35-13 (.729), Andrew Benintendi at 63-24 (.727), Betts at 55-21 (.724), Christian Vazquez at 39-16 (.709) and Jackie Bradley Jr. at 58-24 (.707).

Bradley, for all his offensive ups and downs through the years, is perennially among Boston’s leaders in won-lost record for position players.

The only players noticeably below the team norm are Sandy Leon at 28-14 (.667) and the departed Hanley Ramirez. Boston was 29-15 (.659) with him in the starting lineup.

Jeopardy questions

1. Who is Javier Lopez? On July 19, 2008, the lefty specialist came into a game against the Rangers with two out in the top of the eighth to face Josh Hamilton with Texas leading, 3-2. Hamilton hit one into the triangle on the first pitch he saw but it was caught for the third out. Boston scored three runs in the bottom of the eighth and won, 5-3, Jonathan Papelbon pitching the ninth.

2. Who are Morgan Burkhart and Daniel Nava?

3. Who is Jimy Williams? Williams managed Boston from 1997 into 2001, then went to Houston from 2002-04.

Catching up with...

Reliever David Aardsma (2008) is the Blue Jays coordinator of player development, gifted center fielder Ellis Burks (1987-92, 2004) is a scouting assistant with the Giants, short-timer Justin Germano (2012) is a Mariners scout, backup catcher Ken Huckaby (2006) is the Blue Jays minor league catching instructor, and the recipient of Keith Foulke’s toss to first to clinch the 2004 World Series, Doug Mientkiewicz (2004), manages the Tigers Triple A affiliate in Toledo.

* The Portland Press Herald

Red Sox can’t get comfortable despite growing lead

Kevin Thomas

As much as I hate the one-game, wild-card playoff format, I appreciate the change Major League Baseball made regarding the wild card.

Before 2012, there was only one wild-card team, which had the same status as a divisional winner and automatically reached the division series. Except for home-field advantage, winning the division did not mean as much.

Now, the wild-card teams must battle for one game (and it should be a best-of-three series) to play against division winners.

This makes matters a little uncomfortable for the Red Sox and Yankees – two teams destined for the playoffs, but now fighting to avoid being a wild card.

So, we have a race on our hands. Boston’s goal, of course, is to go beyond winning the division – something it has done the past two seasons – and advance in the playoffs, which is has not done since 2013.

This is a juggernaut Red Sox team. I don’t want to play into New England angst (at least, not too much), but there are concerns. Here’s my top-10 list:

• The Yankees. After Friday, the Red Sox had a 5 1/2-game lead and were four games ahead in the loss column. But New York has plenty of time to catch up, including 10 more head-to-head games (seven at Fenway). The Yankees’ offense is ridiculously powerful, with 161 home runs through Friday – 27 more than Boston. Eight Yankees regulars have at least nine homers, and their first basemen have combined for another 16. New York’s problem is starting pitching. Enter General Manager Brian Cashman. A deal is coming.

• Boston’s bullpen. Red Sox relievers have the third-best ERA in the league (3.24). That’s nice, but the Yankees and Astros are ranked 1-2, and the Indians just traded for an All-Star. Matt Barnes (2.30 ERA, 1.09 WHIP) has earned set-up duties in the eighth inning, leading to Craig Kimbrel. The Red Sox have depth, but a power left-hander would be nice; which is why Boston is one of several suitors for Baltimore’s Zach Britton.

• Chris Sale. His 2.23 ERA leads the league. But Sale traditionally fades in August (career 3.22 ERA) and September (3.78). His August ERA last year was 4.38. Boston has made it a point to give Sale some extra rest this season. We’ll see if it pays off.

• Second base. The Red Sox rank 12th out of 15 league teams in OPS from the second-base position (the Astros and Yankees are 1-2), and Dustin Pedroia is not coming back soon (if at all this year). Eduardo Nunez does not look comfortable there and lacks range. Brock Holt, who left Friday’s game because of a bruised knee, may platoon with Nunez, unless Nunez is needed at third base.

• Third base. Rafael Devers leads the league with 19 errors, and he’s coming off the disabled list after a sore shoulder. Devers has been inconsistent at the plate (.241 average, .715 OPS). Still, he is a 21-year-old rookie and he provides thump in the lineup (tied for fourth on the team with 14 home runs).

• Holes in the lineup. The offense can rely on the top of the order too much. We mentioned Devers’ ups- and-downs. Jackie Bradley Jr. (.210) and Christian Vazquez (.213) go into prolonged slumps. Sandy Leon is hitting .237 and Nunez is at .252. Acquiring Steve Pearce has helped (basically replacing Hanley Ramirez). Bradley has been benched more often lately against lefties, with J.D. Martinez playing the outfield.

• Starting consistency. David Price (4.17 ERA) has given up four or more runs in six of his 20 starts, including eight runs to the Yankees on July 1. Rick Porcello (4.13) also has allowed four earned runs or more in six of 20 starts, including eight runs in his last start. These guys are not robots. They are good pitchers, but on some days … you just don’t know what you’re going to get.

• Health. When Holt took a spike to the knee Friday night, it looked awful. He reportedly is day-to-day, but it shows the fragility of things. Vazquez may not return until September from surgery on a broken finger. Lefty Eduardo Rodriguez (ankle) is weeks away and, as mentioned, Pedroia is doubtful for this season. Pitcher Steven Wright may not come back, either.

• The Houston Astros. The defending champions, and the team that knocked out Boston last year, may again stand in the way of the Red Sox reaching the World Series. Houston is second to Boston in runs scored, and the Astros lead the league in ERA (2.92), with a potent rotation led by Justin Verlander (2.29), Gerrit Cole (2.52) and Charlie Morton (2.96).

• The Cleveland Indians. Sure, the Indians would be in fourth place if they were in the AL West. But Cleveland is good enough to be trouble in the playoffs, especially with the addition of reliever Brad Hand from San Diego.

If all goes well, Boston should reach the playoffs as division champions, and favorites to reach the World Series.

If all goes well? What could go wrong?

* RedSox.com

Johnson strong; Thornburg stumbles in relief

Ian Browne

DETROIT -- The Red Sox are still trying to figure out what they have in Tyler Thornburg, who missed a season and a half with right shoulder troubles. And Thornburg is the first to admit that he's still trying to regain the form that made him one of the best setup men in the National League for the Brewers in 2016.

In a critical juncture on Saturday, Thornburg simply wasn't as effective as his team needed him to be.

"I feel like every outing, I feel like I'm right there," Thornburg said after Boston's 5-0 loss to Detroit at Comerica Park. "I feel like it's one thing away from clicking and getting on a roll. I don't know what that one little thing is yet, but I feel like that's why I kind of come out with a little bit of optimism every day.

"It's like, 'Is this going to be the day that something clicks?' I mean, honestly, I don't really care about the numbers right now. I want to get back to being the guy that I can be. I know, regardless of numbers, if I get back to that point at some period this year, then all of a sudden I'm going to be able to help a hell of a lot more than I am."

It had been a tight game up until Thornburg's entrance, with Boston trailing, 2-0, on the strength of a strong performance by Brian Johnson. The lefty scattered five hits and two unearned runs over five innings, walking none and striking out five.

At a time when Eduardo Rodriguez, Steven Wright and Drew Pomeranz (who returns Tuesday) are on the disabled list, Johnson has been strong as a rotation fill-in, posting a 2.24 ERA in five starts.

"BJ can pitch," Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. "He does a good job with what he has: going up in the zone, throwing the breaking ball, expanding down and in against righties. It looks like a comfortable at-bat, but it's actually not. We're very happy with the way he's throwing the ball. We're comfortable with him, and we'll keep rolling with him."

Detroit's two-run rally in the second was helped by Rafael Devers, who made his 20th error of the season in his first game back from the disabled list.

Jose Iglesias, who signed with Boston after he defected from Cuba and played for the 2013 World Series champion club, haunted his former team a couple of times on Saturday. The first was in that second, when he hammered one to left for a two-run double.

"I left it out over the plate," Johnson said. "I definitely wanted to get it in more."

But that was all Johnson allowed. With Johnson at 77 pitches through five, Cora called on Thornburg for the sixth. Johnson is still getting stretched out as a starter after spending most of the season in the bullpen.

"I think five innings right now is good for [Johnson]; 80 pitches. There was a high-leverage inning in the game, and we felt it was good enough for him," Cora said. "He gave us a chance. Hopefully, for the next one he goes six, but that was a good one."

Thornburg's night didn't start well, as John Hicks drew a leadoff walk. Victor Martinez followed with a single, putting runners at the corners with nobody out. Jeimer Candelario hit a sacrifice fly to left to make it 3-0. After Thornburg got the second out on a grounder, Iglesias turned on an inside fastball and ripped the 1-2 offering over the wall in left to break it open for Detroit.

"Fastball was good, breaking ball not so good," Cora said. "Out of the hand, it wasn't a competitive pitch. Also, the pitch to Iglesias was way in. For him to stay inside that ball and get to it, tip your hat to him."

Thornburg (10.38 ERA) has allowed at least one run in three of his first five appearances since his return from surgery to repair thoracic outlet syndrome in his right shoulder.

"There's a ton [to consider] after surgery, and reconditioning the arm to put up with the stresses of pitching and being ready to pitch. It's a lot, but hopefully something clicks sooner rather than later," Thornburg said.

Boston's dangerous offense has been mostly silenced in the first two games coming out of the All-Star break, scoring just one run over 18 innings. With a 69-31 mark, the Red Sox hold a 4 1/2-game cushion over the Yankees in the American League East.

"[We're] just getting back," star right fielder Mookie Betts said. "We'll be fine. Got to find some timing, a little rhythm. A couple of days off threw it off. Had some momentum going into the break, now it's just a matter of trying to create some more."

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED Searching for offense all game, the Red Sox finally had a chance in the sixth when Devers and Eduardo Nunez struck for back-to-back, two-out singles. Up stepped Jackie Bradley Jr., and he hammered one to deep left. The hit seemed to have two-run double written all over it. But JaCoby Jones raced back and made a great catch, banging into the wall in left. Bradley's drive had an exit velocity of 103.9 mph and traveled 380 feet according to Statcast™. It also had a hit probability of 91 percent.

One inning later, it happened again. This time, Betts and Andrew Benintendi started the rally with one-out singles. Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire removed starter Mike Fiers and brought on former Red Sox righty Alex Wilson. Xander Bogaerts swung at an 0-1 curveball and hit a crisp grounder. Candelario, the third baseman, ranged over nicely to grab it, then made a crisp throw to second baseman Niko Goodrum, who fired to first for an inning-ending, 5-4-3 double play.

"The one Jackie hit, I thought that was way gone, but we're playing here, the wind was blowing in and it didn't happen," Cora said. "I thought the at-bats the second half of the game were a lot better. Hopefully tomorrow our timing is back and we win the series."

SOUND SMART Betts continues to be an on-base machine, reaching at least once in each of his last 21 games, and batting .402 with 21 runs, six doubles, two triples, four homers and six walks during the streak.

YOU GOTTA SEE THIS When Detroit's Leonys Martin struck one to deep right, he had the launch angle and the distance on the drive for a home run. But Betts ruined Martin's fun by drifting back to the wall, timing his leap perfectly and making a sensational grab. Betts went as high as he could go, reached his glove as far back as he could and reeled the ball in for the first out in the bottom of the third inning.

"He hit it high, and I wasn't sure if It was going to go or not. I was just able to time some steps and go up and catch it," Betts said.

HE SAID IT "We're so lucky as a team to have that outfield, and it's just becoming a normal thing, as scary as that sounds." -- Johnson, on the catch by Betts and Boston's outfield defense

UP NEXT Boston sends rested ace Chris Sale (10-4, 2.23 ERA) to the mound for Sunday's finale of this three-game series against the Tigers. Sale ended the first half on fire, going 5-1 with a 0.94 ERA over seven starts. Aside from the one inning he threw in the All-Star Game, Sale hasn't pitched since July 11. The Tigers will counter with lefty Blaine Hardy (3-2, 3.31). First pitch is set for 1:10 p.m. ET.

Mookie pulls back homer with remarkable grab

Ian Browne

DETROIT -- Usually on a home-run robbery, the outfielder sprints back at a frenetic pace to keep the ball in the park.

The beauty of what Mookie Betts did during Boston's 5-0 loss to the Tigers on Saturday night at Comerica Park was in how routine he looked in sizing up the drive by Leonys Martin and pulling it back into play for a sensational catch.

When Martin struck one to deep right in the bottom of the third inning, he had the launch angle and the distance on the drive for a home run.

But Betts simply snuffed it out, drifting back to the wall, timing his leap perfectly and making the highlight-reel grab.

"Unreal," Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. "The way he slowed it down, he got to the spot and didn't panic. It was a great play. It was like, 'Yeah, this is what I do.' Good for him."

Betts went as high as he could go, reached his glove as far back as he could and reeled the ball in for the first out of inning.

"He hit it high, and I wasn't sure if it was going to go [out] or not. I was just able to time some steps and go up and catch it," Betts said. "I had an idea I could catch it. I just had to get a little close to the wall to make sure, and gave myself plenty of time to gather myself. That was the most important thing, being able to time it and knowing where I was."

Such highlights are nothing new from Betts, who has won the Rawlings Gold Glove Award the past two seasons and figures to capture that honor again this season. The combination of offense and defense also makes Betts a prime candidate for the American League's Most Valuable Player Award.

By taking Martin's home run away, Betts kept the deficit to the Tigers at 2-0.

Nobody was more excited at the time than Red Sox lefty starter Brian Johnson.

"Needed that one," Johnson said. "We're so lucky as a team to have that outfield, and it's just becoming a normal thing, as scary as that sounds."

Devers singles, commits error in return from DL

Ian Browne

DETROIT -- Third baseman Rafael Devers returned to the lineup for the Red Sox on Saturday, the first day he was eligible to be activated from the disabled list.

The 21-year-old finished 1-for-4 and was charged with a throwing error during Boston's 5-0 loss to the Tigers at Comerica Park.

Devers had been dealing with inflammation in his left shoulder. His return came at a good time because Boston manager Alex Cora decided to keep star slugger J.D. Martinez out of the lineup on Saturday with general soreness.

The soreness was caused by Martinez running into an outfield wall to make a great catch against JaCoby Jones in the bottom of the third inning of Friday's 1-0 win.

"Just a big dude at full speed hitting that wall," Cora said. "Yesterday, he wasn't feeling great after the game, so I decided to give him today [off]. At the same time, these guys that make the All-Star Game, they really don't have an All-Star break because of everything that goes on. They take batting practice on Monday, they play on Tuesday. The travel and all that. He's getting the day off because he ran into the wall, but I think it's a good day for him anyway."

While Martinez should return to the lineup Sunday, the plan is for Brock Holt to return Monday. Holt sustained a right knee contusion during Friday's game when he was spiked by baserunner Jeimer Candelario during a close play at second base.

The unavailability of Holt is the reason the Red Sox optioned lefty reliever Bobby Poyner to Triple-A Pawtucket instead of infielder Tzu-Wei Lin.

Cora confident in 'pen While Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski continues to search for another established reliever in the final 10 days before the non-waiver Trade Deadline, Cora expressed confidence in the pitchers who currently work in the bullpen.

Elite closer Craig Kimbrel has a setup crew of Matt Barnes, Joe Kelly, Heath Hembree and Tyler Thornburg. Barnes and Hembree have flourished lately. The Red Sox need Kelly to get back on track. Thornburg is working his way back into the mix after missing a season and a half due to right shoulder woes. Brandon Workman and Ryan Brasier are other options for Cora in the mid-to-late innings.

"I was just talking to [pitching coach] Dana [LeVangie] about it. We've got options, a lot of options now," Cora said. "I think we're going to be in a good position that we're going to keep these guys fresh, and at the same time, they're going to contribute. With all the off days in August, and the way they're throwing the ball and how many guys we have, we should be OK."

* WEEI.com

Red Sox need to figure out what they have in this bullpen

Rob Bradford

Why Kansas City and the Mets traded two of the top relievers on the market (Kelvin Herrera, Jeurys Familia) when they did is still somewhat of a mystery. Sure, they got deals that probably satisfied what each team was looking for. But what would the harm have been to wait a little bit longer? Baffling.

What you should know, however, is that neither deal should impact the Red Sox' approach heading into the non-waiver trade deadline at the end of the month.

Unless Baltimore puts a deadline for offers on Zach Britton, the Sox should sit back and keep evaluating. There are plenty of relief pitchers to go around, and a bunch of bad teams motivated to move them.

The wait-and-see approach has always been the blueprint for Dave Dombrowski when it comes to figuring out this relief pitching landscape, and not only because it is a buyers' market. The extra time was supposed to give the Red Sox a better idea of just how much they might need another late-inning guy.

It would seem the Sox still should be looking for that guy.

The wild card has always been Tyler Thornburg. The recently-activated reliever has shown glimpses of the pitcher the Red Sox thought they were getting from Milwaukee, but that certainly wasn't the image portrayed Saturday night. The righty came on for Brian Johnson in a two-run game and looked anything but reliable.

Thornburg walked John Hicks after going to a full count before allowing a single to Victor Martinez. After a sacrifice fly by Jeimer Candelario, wild-pitch, and a groundout, Jose Iglesias took the reliever deep to put the game away.

Thornburg has now pitched five times since being activated off the 10-day disabled list, giving up at least one hit in each of the outings. Considering his time off, it's not shocking that the reliever is needing some time to rediscover himself. But the Red Sox were counting on him figuring all of that out before July 31. That is not how things are trending.

There is also the uneasiness in regards to one of their other eighth inning candidates, Joe Kelly, who Red Sox manager Alex Cora noted Saturday would have to earn his way back into high-leverage spots. And with Kelly heading into this week on the outside looking in, that leaves the Sox with Matt Barnes (who has allowed one run over his 12 outings, striking out 24) and Heath Hembree, who has excelled with runners on and against left-handed hitters.

Then there is Ryan Brasier.

The righty has come up after closing in Pawtucket and performed admirably while throwing fastballs near 100 mph. Brasier left yet another positive impression on Cora and Co. Saturday, striking out two of the three batter he has faced. Even if some teammates didn't know his name during those first few days he was walking around the Red Sox' clubhouse (fact), it would be foolish to not consider the 30-year-old a high- leverage candidate.

But while there is potential, the problem for the Sox remains. Other than Barnes, there just isn't a whole lot of certainty leading into Craig Kimbrel. It's a predicament that might just eventually force Dombrowski's hand.

Red Sox shut down by potential trade target

Rob Bradford

With the non-waiver trade deadline arriving a week from Tuesday, the Red Sox have sent their people to all corners of the Major League Baseball globe.

For instance, Dave Dombrowski's special assistant/right-hand man Frank Wren could be found in Minnesota checking out the Twins and Royals this weekend checking out possible relief help. His boss didn't have to go as far.

Dombrowski was one of those in attendance watching Mike Fiers shut down the Red Sox en route to a 5-0 Tigers win over Boston in Detroit. As auditions go, it was a pretty good one. (For a complete recap of the Red Sox' loss, click here.)

During the game, ESPN's Buster Olney tweeted out that the Red Sox (and others) were "evaluating" Fiers, a starting pitcher who went for the championship ride in Houston with Alex Cora a season ago.

Fiers is on a one-year, $6 million deal, although he has one more season of arbitration eligibility. The 33- year-old has bounced back from a terrible year with the Astros to become the Tigers go-to guy, totaling a 3.49 ERA in 19 starts.

This time around the righty starter offered an excellent example of what he could do for a contender, not allowing a run over 6 1/3 innings, continuing to get key strikeouts with sneaky, 90 mph fastballs. (All six of his punchouts came on the pitch.)

"Fastball up, spin down," Cora told reporters regarding Fiers. "He comes from a pitching staff that, that’s what they teach over there. Honestly, I saw him last year. For everything we talk about, the big boys, whatever, there was a point in time there where he was the most valued pitcher. For a month and a half he carried that pitching staff. They were a little banged up and he came in and did a good job. That’s what he does. He has enough up in the zone and he can expand. Today he had that breaking ball, threw it for strikes and we were not disciplined enough early in the game. We were chasing pitches up. He did an outstanding job."

Fiers wouldn't seem a priority for the Red Sox, especially considering what they got from their own guy Saturday night. While the physical condition of Eduardo Rodriguez and Steven Wright, along with the uncertainty of Drew Pomeranz, should lead Dombrowski to dip his toes in the starting pitching market, he does have Brian Johnson.

The lefty once again balanced off his 88 mph fastball with a biting curveball, which he threw just 10 fewer times than the heater (35-25). As a starter, Johnson carries a 2.22 ERA, having held the Tigers to two unearned runs over five innings, striking out five and not walking a batter.

"Yeah BJ can pitch," Cora told reporters. "He does a good job with what he has, going up in the zone throwing the breaking ball, expanding down and in against righties. It might be a comfortable at-bat but it’s actually not. What you see is not what you get as far as up in the zone. You set your sights up and that pitch is higher than what you think it is, just like Mike (Fiers). We’re very happy the way he’s throwing the ball. We’re comfortable with him and we’ll keep rolling with him."

The Red Sox defense failed them Saturday, with Rafael Devers making another error (his 20th) at a most inopportune time. The third baseman's poor throw on the slow-footed Victor Martinez's two-out grounder paved the way for Detroit's only two runs against Johnson.

The Sox did, however, get another sparkling defensive play from Mookie Betts.

Alex Cora: 'I'm comfortable with the guys we have'

Rob Bradford

Alex Cora isn't stressing out about the non-waiver trade deadline. Why would he? Even with a few perceived soft spots on his roster, his Red Sox head into Saturday night's game 39 games over .500.

"I mean, honestly, that’s not my job. My job is to manage this team, and I trust the guys that we have," Cora told reporters in Detroit Saturday. "We’re in a good position. We put ourselves in a position that, it’s not that you put pressure on ownership or Dave (Dombrowski), but they understand that this is a special group, and that’s the only thing that we can control. Obviously, we have had conversations about everything that’s going on in the league, and teams always try to improve, but I’m comfortable with the guys we have. I think we have a lot of options."

The Red Sox are still scouring the trade market for a potential upgrade in the bullpen, with special assistant to the Dave Dombrowski, Frank Wren, spending the weekend in Minnesota watching the Twins and Royals . (The Sox are rumored to have interest in Minnesota closer Fernando Rodney, with some other players on each team viewed as potential trade targets for Boston.)

But while the prospect of locking up someone like Baltimore reliever Zach Britton is appealing, Cora's team does have internal options if a deal can't be struck. Matt Barnes continues his run as one of the game's best set-up men over the past two months, while Heath Hembree has emerged as a legitimate weapon while coming with runners on base.

There is also the potential of the struggling Joe Kelly, newcomer Ryan Brasier and Tyler Thornburg, who has shown some promise since returning from his thoracic outlet surgery.

"We’ve got Work (Brandon Workman) too, he’s throwing the ball well," Cora told reporters. "I was just talking to (pitching coach) Dana (LeVangie) about it, we’ve got options, a lot of options now. I think we’re going to be in a good position that we’re going to keep these guys fresh and at the same time, we’re going to contribute. With all the off days in August, and the way they’re throwing the ball and how many guys we have, we should be OK."

* BostonSportsJournal.com

MLB Notebook: Dombrowski’s biggest challenge; Cherington deserving of second chance and more

Sean McAdam

DETROIT — Throughout his long career as a baseball executive, Dave Dombrowski has earned a reputation as a guy who likes to make a big splash.

While with the Florida Marlins, he made trades to land Mike Piazza and Gary Sheffield. In Detroit, he traded for David Price, Max Scherzer and Miguel Cabrera and signed free agent Prince Fielder — tough to find four bigger names than that. Since joining the Red Sox, he’s dealt for Chris Sale and Craig Kimbrel and signed Price and J.D. Martinez as free agents. Again, big names, big stars, big moves.

But with the non-waiver trade deadline rapidly approaching, Dombrowski finds himself in a different situation.

As president of baseball operations of the team with the best record in the game, he doesn’t need a dramatic move. Like most contenders, the Red Sox aren’t perfect, but they don’t appear to have any glaring weaknesses either.

That’s a good thing because, frankly, Dombrowski doesn’t have a lot with which to work. Thanks to a series of trades in his first three years at the helm — the vast majority of which the Sox have “won” as detailed here – the Sox now have a minor league system devoid of strong prospects. A recent update of the game’s Top 100 prospects failed to feature even a single Red Sox minor leaguer.

That limits what Dombrowski can do in the next 10 days. While a lefty reliever like San Diego’s Brad Hand would have been the perfect acquisition for the Red Sox — fortifying their late-inning bullpen capabilities while providing an option to close in the event the team can’t or won’t re-sign free agent-to-be Craig Kimbrel — the Sox didn’t have nearly the talent to get into the bidding. Instead, Hand was sent to Cleveland, and now the Sox may have to deal with him in October.

The absence of any obvious trade chips means that Dombrowski has to be creative in addressing the Red Sox needs. Maybe that will mean taking on a bad contract from a team in order to facilitate a deal. Since the Red Sox are on the precipice of the third luxury tax threshold, that would require the Sox paying a tax of 60 percent on a big contract, but that’s the pickle Dombrowski finds himself in.

Or maybe it will mean Dombrowski involving a third team to pull off a deal. He has some history with that, having done a number of three-team deals while with the Tigers, including one that saw the Red Sox end up with Jake Peavy at a cost of Jose Iglesias.

What’s clear is this: Dombrowski can’t rely on a simple blockbuster, or rely on his penchant for dealing possible future stars for the certitude of present ones because the inventory is too thin.

It’s uncertain that Dombrowski can achieve this. Unlike the off-season when there’s more time to piece together complicated deals, time is of the essence and the fact that other contenders may be in search of the same players create more of a sense of urgency.

But what’s clear is this: the fate of the 2018 Red Sox, and by extension, Dombrowski’s legacy, may rest on how creative he can get to address his team’s needs. This time, the same old methods aren’t at his disposal.

As the Mets dig out from the dumpster fire that they’ve created for themselves, it appears likely the team will go outside the organization to find its next general manager/president of baseball operations.

Sandy Alderson is on medical leave to fight a recurrence of cancer and almost certainly won’t return to his post. One or more members of the three-headed GM-by-committee currently running things — John Ricco, J.P. Ricciardi and Omar Minaya — might receive some consideration, but indications are, the Mets prefer a fresh start. And who could blame them there?

One of the names that surfaced last week as a potential focus of a wide-open job search is former Red Sox GM Ben Cherington, who would make sense in a number of ways.

Cherington’s stock-in-trade has always been player development. Consider the long list of players who came through the Red Sox system on his watch, either as the farm director or GM: Andrew Benintendi and Rafael Devers were drafted/signed with Cherington as the GM, as were past trade chips Michael Kopech and Yoan Mancada. When Cherington was farm director, the Sox developed Dustin Pedroia, Hanley Ramirez and others.

In fact, much of the core of the current team –– Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts, Jackie Bradley Jr. – entered the system when Cherington was a big part of the Red Sox front office, and while he obviously can’t be given full credit for their success, he certainly played a role in their selection and development.

His main failing as GM came via expensive free agents — international and otherwise — that never fully panned out, a list that includes the disastrous twin expenditures of Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval. Whether those moves were advocated by Cherington or pushed on him by ownership has never been fully determined. And he failed to get adequate return when he sent John Lackey to St. Louis, and grossly overpaid for Cuban outfielder Rusney Castillo, who resides in contractual limbo at Triple A. (It’s worth noting that Castillo might have been an overreaction to the fact that Cherington had openly pushed for the Sox to sign Jose Abreu earlier, only to have the team’s offer rescinded by ownership).

There’s some question as to whether Cherington is interested enough in becoming a GM. Before taking his current job as vice president of baseball operations, Cherington, highly regarded throughout the game, turned down opportunities to take higher-profile positions with other organizations.

“With Ben,” said a friend, “it’s not about ego or title. That stuff doesn’t matter much to him.”

Then there’s also the matter of whether he’s well-suited for the New York market. Cherington tends to avoid the media spotlight and in New York, where the Yankees tend to blot out of the sun when it comes to fan interest and media coverage, the Mets might want someone more comfortable on the big stage.

But if Cherington has the bug to return to running an organization after being out of such a position for nearly three years, the Mets could certainly do worse than consider him. His passion and expertise when it comes to player development is exactly what the Mets could use as they ponder a daunting rebuild, and his quiet dignity and professionalism might be just what a wayward organization could use.

An otherwise enjoyable All-Star Game that nicely highlighted the remarkable collection of young talent and the overall health of the sport was unfortunately clouded by three negatives the day of the game and the following day.

First, Players Association executive director Tony Clark continued to allude to the players’ lingering disenchantment with the free agent market last month and again broadly hinted at a suspicion on the part of the owners. The comments pulled back the curtain on the distrust that players feel toward ownership and revealed lingering fissions that exists between the two sides.

True, the current CBA runs through 2021 and things can change before negotiations begin on a new agreement. But it hardly augurs well that these hard feelings exist and are being aired publicly. You’d have to go back more than 20 years to find a relationship between labor and management that’s this toxic.

Secondly, Milwaukee reliever Josh Hader was discovered to have authored tweets as a teenager that were misogynistic, racist and homophobic. After the game, when the attention should have been on a remarkable game that featured plenty of homers and extra-innings, Hader was barraged with questions about his (hopefully) past ignorance.

Then, in perhaps not an unrelated development, commissioner Rob Manfred stumbled in his comments regarding baseball’s best player, Mike Trout, and sounded needlessly critical of the outfielder’s disinterest in promoting himself and the game.

From here, Manfred’s remarks — while perhaps not artfully worded — weren’t as negative as some suggested. Manfred seemed to be saying that MLB’s marketing and promotional machine can only do so much if a star player prefers taking a lower profile. Still, the Los Angeles Angels were sufficiently angered by the comments that they felt compelled to issue a statement in their player’s defense.

Here’s the point: when baseball should be showcasing itself and basking in the mid-summer attention the All-Star Game provides during an otherwise slow week on the sports calendar, it was instead airing its labor dispute a full three years before a new deal has to be brokered, dealing with blowback created by one of its young stars while the commissioner was at least mildly critical of the game’s best player — at a time when the sport was already under attack for not doing enough to market its young stars.

Not exactly how they draw it up on Madison Avenue.

Top 5

1-Red Sox. Hard to take issue with them at top, after winning 13-of-14 heading into Saturday’s action. The fact that people are doing the second-half math — “if they only play .500 the rest of the way….– speaks to their dominance.

2-Astros. Their run differential — an astounding +190 — suggests they’re underachieving somewhat in terms of their won-loss record, but their inclusion in a group of the game’s best teams is still a constant.

3-Yankees. Of late, they’ve shown a mysterious inability to beat bad teams — losing twice to the ghastly Orioles, then losing to the Mets Friday — but the overall numbers suggest dominance.

4-Cubs. Suddenly, they’re nearing a .600 winning percentage and 20 games over the .500 mark.

5-A’s. Well, whadaya know? Maybe the American League playoff field isn’t completely spoken for after all.

For the long run, Red Sox best to limit outfield time for Martinez

Sean McAdam

DETROIT – With J.D. Martinez on the bench for the night, the Red Sox offense was punchless at Comerica Park, failing to collect even a single extra-base hit while suffering a 5-0 shutout loss to the lowly Detroit Tigers.

All of which is not to suggest that the outcome would have been any different had Martinez been in the lineup. As formidable a hitter as Martinez is, it’s doubtful that he could have singlehandedly made up enough to turn a loss into a win.

But that’s not the point here.

Martinez was out of the lineup because he had an unannounced encounter with the right field wall at Comerica Park Friday night. Racing into the gap to chase after a ball hit by Detroit’s JaCoby Jones, Martinez made the catch – a millisecond before he led with his face, bouncing into the padding that protects the wall, but doesn’t offer nearly as much protection to the outfielders.

Manager Alex Cora said Martinez was “just a little bit sore…he wasn’t feeling great after the game (Friday), so I decided to give him today.”

That was the smart play, with Cora taking a look at the big picture and realizing it wasn’t necessary to push Martinez on a day in which he didn’t feel great. There’s nearly 10 more weeks in the season and another 62 games to play, and if the first half of the schedule demonstrated anything, it’s the importance that Martinez has to the team in general and the offense in particular.

Consider that when Martinez homers in a game this season, the Red Sox are an astounding 25-3.

That’s how vital he is to the lineup.

Which is all the more reason that the Red Sox need to protect him. Sure, injuries can happen at any time, but Martinez has a history of running into physical issues – to say nothing of walls – when he’s in the outfield.

When he was with the Tigers, he has an instep/foot issue that was the result of playing the outfield. And on the occasions his back spasms have kicked in this season, it’s come after some time in the outfield.

Martinez, as we know, enjoys playing the outfield, and doesn’t want to be regarded as a full-time DH.

“He likes playing the field,” said Cora. “I take that into consideration.”

But given his value to the team, the Sox need to be careful with how often he plays the field. If he pulls a hamstring or suffers a more serious injury while in the outfield, he won’t be available to do what he does best — namely, damage at the plate.

It’s not as if the Red Sox will be depriving themselves of a strong defender. A host of defensive metrics suggests that Martinez is well-below average. And even if the “eye test” suggests that Martinez has been closer to adequate, he’s clearly the least capable defender among the four Red Sox outfielder.

The Sox are better, as a team, with Andrew Benintendi in left, Jackie Bradley Jr. in center and Mookie Betts in right. As the old joke goes, Martinez’s best position is the batter’s box.

Martinez has started exactly 40 percent of the team’s games in the outfield, and Cora hinted before Saturday’s loss that he’ll continue to have him in the outfield when the Sox face a lefty. That allows Steve Pearce, who crushes lefties, to get into the lineup.

But the Sox can accomplish that by having Pearce play first, Mitch Moreland on the bench and Martinez as the DH.

That may not be what Martinez necessarily wants, but that should be secondary.

If the Sox want to put their best team on the field, that lineup includes Martinez as the DH. And defense aside, the fewer times he’s risking injury, the better the Red Sox will be.

BSJ Game Report: Tigers 5, Red Sox 0 – Bats quiet again in loss

Sean McAdam

HEADLINES

Johnson deserved a better fate: Lefty Brian Johnson, thrust back into the rotation due to a rash of injuries, gave the Sox five strong innings in which he allowed just two runs, both of them unearned. The loss was the first for the Red Sox with Johnson as the starting pitcher in five games this season. “He did a good job,” assessed Alex Cora. “Overall, that’s what we’re asking — for him to give us a chance to win and he did an outstanding job.’ ‘ Johnson’s big mistake came when he throw a fastball inside to Jose Iglesias that was neither up enough nor in enough; Iglesias hooked it into the left field corner for a two-run double. “I threw too many pitches (39) in the first couple of innings,” said Johnson, “but I settled down as the game went on, so I felt better.” Johnson threw a season-high 77 pitches in his five innings before being lifted, but believes that he’s now ready to throw 90-100 when needed. “He can pitch,” said Cora. “He does a good job with what he has. We’re very happy with the way he’s throwing the ball. We’re comfortable with him; we’re going to keep rolling with him.”

Bats lack timing: In the first two games since the All-Star break, the Red Sox have scored exactly one (1) run. And after notching a run in the first inning Friday, they’ve been held scoreless in the last 17 innings. They’ve had particular trouble in situational spots. After going 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position Friday night, they were 0-for-5 on Saturday, making them 2-for-15 since returning from the break. They’ve stranded 19 runners in two games, so it’s not as if they haven’t had their chances. Then again, of the eight hits Saturday night, every one of them was a single and they only once got a baserunner to third base. That came in the seventh, when, with one out, Mookie Betts singled and motored to third on a single by Andrew Benintendi. But Xander Bogaerts hit into a rally-killing, inning-ending double play, slamming his batting helmet to the ground in frustration – a perfect encapsulation of the night for the Red Sox’ offense. Said Cora: “I felt like the at-bats were a lot better in the second half of the game. Hopefully, tomorrow our timing is back and we go win the series.”

Betts turns in super play in right: Returned to his more familiar spot in right field after spending Friday in center, Mookie Betts turned in a highlight catch in the third. Tigers outfielder Leonys Martin hit a ball deep to right to start the third. Betts tracked the ball, arrived at the warning track, checked to see how much room he had. Convinced he was properly positioned, Betts timed his leap perfectly and brought back what was going to be a home run with a snatch catch. “Unreal,” marveled Cora. “The way he slowed it down, he got to the spot and didn’t panic.” Johnson, too, was highly appreciative. “Needed that one,” said the lefty. “We’re so lucky, as a team, to have that outfield and it’s becoming a normal thing, as scary as it sounds.”

TURNING POINT

The Red Sox were still in the game after five innings, trailing by just two. But Tyler Thornburg, who came in for the bottom of the sixth, got off on the wrong foot by issuing a leadoff walk to John Hicks. A single, a sacrifice fly and a two-run homer by Jose Iglesias soon followed and before you knew it, the home team was up by five.

TWO UP

Blake Swihart: Getting a rare start from behind the plate, he handled himself well defensively and added a walk, a base hit and a stolen base.

Andrew Benintendi: The outfielder has yet to cool down. In his first two games back after a stint on the bereavement list, he’s come to the plate eight times and reached on seven of those occasions.

TWO DOWN

Xander Bogaerts: Bogaerts, hitting third in the lineup, was 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. He made the final out in each one of his plate appearances, twice stranding two baserunners.

Tyler Thornburg: The reliever had his rockiest outing since returning to action, allowing three runs in the sixth inning thanks to two hits, a sacrifice fly, a walk and a wild pitch.

QUOTE OF NOTE

“It was like, ‘This is what I do.’ ” Alex Cora on the almost casual way Mookie Betts made a catch to rob Leonys MArtin of a homer in third.

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

The loss was the first in the last 10 starts by Brian Johnson, dating back to July 21, 2015. Mookie Betts has now reached base in 23 consecutive games. Andrew Benintendi has multiple hits in each of his last nine games. Betts and Benintendi each have 34 multi-hit games this season. Both Ryan Brasier and Hector Velazquez used the bullpen cart at Comerica Park to come to the mound.

UP NEXT

The Red Sox and Tigers play for the final time this season at 1:05 Sunday afternoon, with LHP Chris Sale (10-4, 2.23) vs. LHP Blaine Hardy (3-2, 3.21).

Final: Tigers 5, Red Sox 0 – Scoreless streak reaches 17 innings

Sean McAdam

DETROIT — In one of their weaker offensive showings of the season, the Red Sox collected just eight hits — all of them singles — and were shut out by the Detroit Tigers, 5-0.

After scoring a run in the first inning Friday night, the Red Sox have now been held scoreless for the last 17 innings.

Former Red Sox shortstop Jose Iglesias was the offensive start, drilling a two-run double in the second and adding a two-run homer in the sixth.

Brian Johnson delivered a solid start, allowing just two unearned runs over five innings. But the Sox lost for the first time in his last 10 starts. The two unearned runs came as the result of a throwing error by Rafael Devers, who leads the majors with 20 errors.

Tyler Thornburg had a rough sixth inning, allowing three runs on two hits, a walk and a wild pitch.

IN-GAME OBSERVATIONS:

7:54 For the second time tonight, Iglesias makes his former team pay. Tyler Thornburg got ahead of him 1-and-2, but then threw him an inside fastball that Iglesias turned on and drove into the home bullpen in left for a two-run lead.

7:44 It wasn’t nearly as spectacular as the catch made earlier by Betts, but left fielder JaCoby Jones just saved the Tigers a couple of runs with a fine running catch on a ball to the left-center gap by Jackie Bradley Jr. Jones ran a long way to glove the ball on the warning track, just in front of the left field wall.

7:35 The Red Sox bats are having a tough time reawakening after the All-Star break. The Sox have scored exactly one run in the last 14 innings. And that run came in the first inning Friday, meaning they’re scoreless over the last 13 innings. Combined for the two games, the Sox are just 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position.

6:56 A well-timed leap for Mookie Betts results in him taking a leadoff homer way from Leonys Martin. Betts glided back to the track, checked to see where he was relative to the right field wall, then went up and snatched the ball back after it had cleared the yellow line.

6:38 The error proves costly as, with two outs, former Red Sox infielder Jose Iglesias lashes a double into the left field, corner, scoring two. It wasn’t a great pitch from Brian Johnson, who left an 88 mph four- seamer around the middle of the plate. Both runs are unearned.

6:31 In his first game back after a DL stint, Rafael Devers commits yet another error, his 20th of the season, the most in either league. It came when he skipped a throw across the infield and first baseman Mitch Moreland couldn’t dig the throw out.

WHO: Red Sox vs. Detroit Tigers WHEN: 6:05 p.m. WHERE: Comerica Park WHAT’S UP: The Sox took the opener 1-0 Friday for their 13th win in the last 14 games and 18th win in 21 games. The shutout was the 10th this season by the Red Sox pitching staff, one shy of their total from a year ago. They’ve held opponents scoreless in five of their last 18 victories. With a win today — or Sunday — the Sox will clinch their fifth straight series win. Also, the Red Sox now have a better winning percentage on the road (.673) better than any team’s overall winning percentage for the season. STARTERS: LHP Brian Johnson (1-2, 4.20) vs. RHP Mike Fiers (6-6, 3.70) TV/RADIO: NESN/WEEI 93.7 FM

LINEUPS

RED SOX

Betts RF Benintendi LF Bogaerts SS Moreland 1B Pearce DH Devers 3B Nunez 2B Bradley CF Swihart C

TIGERS

Martin CF Goodrum 2B Castellanos RF Hicks C Martinez DH Candelario 3B Rodriguez 1B Iglesias SS Jones LF

NEWS AND NOTES

Unsurprisingly, both J.D. Martinez and Brock Holt were held out of Saturday’s game, a day after each was involved in nasty on-field collisions — Holt with an opponent, Martinez with the right field wall at Comerica. Holt got spiked by Jeimer Candelario at second base, and initially felt a lot of pain just below the right kneecap. Holt was walking without a limp Saturday though he said he still felt a bit of soreness. The Sox plan to allow him to rest Sunday, too, with an eye toward having him return to the lineup Monday in Baltimore. Martinez, meanwhile, ran face-first into the wall while tracking down a fly ball hit Jacoby Jones in the third inning Friday night. “He’s a little bit sore,” said Alex Cora. “He wasn’t feeling great after the game, so I decided to give him today. At the same time, these guys that make the All-Star team, they don’t really have a break with everything goes on. He’s getting a day-off because he ran into a wall, but I think it’s a good time (to give him a break) anyway.”

The Sox officially activated third baseman Rafael Devers from the disabled list. Devers had been sidelined with a sore left shoulder, which he aggravated in an awkward slide into home while the Sox were in Washington D.C. almost two weeks ago. The Sox decided against a rehab stint for him, with Cora noting that he had gone back to the Dominican Republic during the break and taken some swings there. To make room for the return of Devers, the Sox optioned lefty reliever Bobby Poyner back to Pawtucket. They might have thought about optioning Tzu-Wei Lin initially, but with Holt banged up, the Sox decided to keep the extra infielder.

* The Athletic

Somebody has to ride the bullpen cart. Red Sox relievers are happy to volunteer

Chad Jennings

DETROIT — Even before they arrived at Comerica Park and witnessed the flame-painted masterpiece firsthand, the Red Sox’ relievers already were buzzing about the Tigers’ bullpen cart. Someone had to ride it, that much was clear, and if a fresh call-up were on the roster, he’d have to be the guy. If not, someone else would have to step up.

On Saturday night, Ryan Brasier volunteered as tribute.

In the seventh inning of an otherwise forgettable 5-0 loss to the Tigers, Brasier made his fifth appearance of the season, and he did it in style, riding along in a pimped-out golf cart sponsored by a casino.

“They wanted somebody to do it,” Brasier said. “I said I would do it, so I did.”

Very next inning, Hector Velazquez rode shotgun as well.

“I wanted to drive,” he said. “But they wouldn’t let me.”

Here in the Motor City, there’s a pickup truck and a sport-utility vehicle high above the batters’ eye. The General Motors logo glows in the distance, Ford Field looms just beyond the left-field luxury boxes, and the Chevrolet Fountain decorates center field. Where better to back one of baseball’s lost, motorized traditions?

“We saw it there and figured we might not have a chance to ride in another one this year,” Joe Kelly said. “This is one of the places where you could, so the guys wanted to use it today. It was kind of cool to see. I think it takes longer than running in. I like getting my warmup pitches, but if I pitched today, I was going to have to go in and do the same thing as them, I guess.”

The Tigers introduced their bullpen cart on April 13, their sixth home game of the season, but it seems none of the Detroit relievers actually wanted to use it. When most relievers enter the game, the bullpen cart simply does a lap to bring the pitcher’s jacket or sweatshirt to the dugout.

“It’s going to be a bullpen ornament,” Tigers reliever Buck Farmer told the Detroit Free Press in March.

Bah, humbug!

Bullpen carts were a staple of baseball in the 1970s, back when motorized golf carts adorned with giant caps were all the rage, but because we can’t have nice things, the carts went out of fashion, and hard- throwing relievers came charging out of bullpens like Neanderthals from a cave, devoid of the quirky luxury that only superfluous vehicles can provide.

This winter, the carts came back! Only a handful of stadiums have one, but still. Bullpen carts! Seems like a no-brainer that a few just-for-the-hell-of-it relievers might hop on board, but it wasn’t until early May that a reliever actually used one. Thank you, Collin McHugh.

When the Red Sox arrived in Detroit for this weekend series, they found the cart parked behind the bullpen mound and knew it was a matter of time before someone took a ride. Their own Neil Armstrong was supposed to be rookie reliever Bobby Poyner, who was on the active roster Friday but didn’t pitch before being optioned on Saturday. Without an impressionable kid to boss around, the relief corps didn’t exactly dictate that one of the newer guys take the cart, but …

“We definitely didn’t urge against it,” Heath Hembree said. “Bobby Poyner was here last night, and it was like, ‘You have to use it. If you come into a game, you have to ride in.’ But other guys, everybody was just up to their own (discretion). But Bobby, being the youngest one, we were like, ‘You have to ride it in.’”

Poyner never got that chance, so it fell to Brasier, who occasionally rode bullpen carts to the mound last season in Japan, where they’re still in regular use.

“I mean, it’s weird doing it,” Brasier said. “But I did it last year a few times, so it’s kind of normal.”

The words “kind of” seem to be an important part of that sentence. The Red Sox used to have their own bullpen cart, and it’s on display at Fenway Park, but they didn’t join the small wave of teams to reintroduce it this season. Team historian Gordon Edes said in an email he didn’t know off the top of his head who might have been the last Red Sox reliever to ride one of the contraptions. Not that it matters any more. We have a new answer to that question.

“I noticed it yesterday and today, but I hadn’t seen anybody on it,” said left fielder Andrew Benintendi, who had an up-close view of Brasier’s historic journey. “I thought it would drive on the field.”

It didn’t, but not for lack of trying.

“I told (the driver) to cut through the field,” Velazquez said. “But he told me he couldn’t do it.”

No, there was no all-terrain travel worthy of four-wheel drive or big mud tires. Instead, the cart went gently along the warning track and through the dirt in foul territory for a drop-off in front of the dugout. And if the others were paying attention, there surely will be more Red Sox relievers to ride the cart in Sunday’s series finale. Just consider the numbers:

Saturday’s starter, Brian Johnson, didn’t have the cart option and took the loss. Reliever Tyler Thornburg turned it down and gave up three runs. Brasier and Velazquez? A scoreless inning apiece.

“It was fun to see, and they pitched well,” Kelly said.

So maybe there’s something to that bullpen cart after all? Kelly just shrugged. “Maybe,” he said.

No, definitely.

* The Detroit Free Press

Tigers takeaways: Mike Fiers boosts trade value in 5-0 victory

Anthony Fenech

In a season of struggles for the Detroit Tigers’ potential trade chips, Mike Fiers’ value is peaking at the right time.

Pitching as well as he has done for most of this season, Fiers picked up where Matthew Boyd left off a night earlier and stymied the MLB-leading Red Sox. Fiers threw 6 1/3 shutout innings in a 5-0 win.

Fiers was effective, pitching through the Red Sox’s vaunted batting order three times. He was backed by a big offensive day by shortstop Jose Iglesias — another trade chip — who opened the scoring with a two- run double and then provided some insurance with a two-run home run.

The Tigers can take the series with a win on Sunday afternoon against longtime American League Central division nemesis Chris Sale.

Fiers’ trade value won’t ever be higher

With Michael Fulmer on the disabled list past the non-waiver trade deadline, Fiers takes center stage as the Tiger most likely to be traded. He likely isn’t at the top of contending teams’ lists, but is certainly viewed as a back-up plan and perhaps, the cheapest alternative to higher-priced pitchers on the market. Fiers started off strong, pounding the strike zone. He cruised through the Red Sox order twice before getting touched up for six hits from the start of the third time around; those hits, though, were all singles. Fiers is viewed as depth for contending teams, a solid back-of-the-rotation starter who can step into a bigger role if an injury hits. Fiers was great, striking out six batters and walking none. That he did it against a contending team will not hurt his value.

Jose Iglesias might have opened some eyes, too

Iglesias was playing in front of a scout from at least one interested team and he did not disappoint, driving a two-run double to left field in the second inning and hitting a two-run home run into the Tigers bullpen in the sixth inning. It was Iglesias’ third home run of the season and put the game out of reach. Iglesias is an interesting trade deadline case because of his defensive prowess: Some teams could see the benefit in upgrading at shortstop, a prime position. Iglesias has played well for the past couple months.

Bullpen is bringing the heat Entering the game, the Tigers’ bullpen had been among the best in the American League in July. Two men locked the win down: Alex Wilson, who relieved Fiers with runners on first and third base in the seventh inning, induced an inning-ending double play, then Shane Greene pitched a scoreless ninth inning. The Tigers have received interest in Greene since he’s returned from the disabled list; Wilson could be an option for a relief-desperate team.

* Associated Press

Iglesias drives in 4 as Fiers, Tigers blank Red Sox 5-0

DETROIT -- Mike Fiers might be pitching his way into a pennant chase.

The Detroit right-hander worked impressively into the seventh inning Saturday night, and Jose Iglesias homered and drove in four runs to lift the Tigers to a 5-0 win over the Boston Red Sox.

Fiers has been sharp lately, and after lowering his ERA to 3.49, he's looking more and more like someone the rebuilding Tigers might trade to a contender.

"You see it. You see your name pop up here and there," Fiers said. "I've just got to keep my mind focused on baseball and pitching and just go out there every fifth day."

The major league-leading Red Sox lost for just the second time in 15 games, and their AL East edge over the New York Yankees slipped to 4 1/2 games.

Fiers (7-6) had his first scoreless outing since his Tigers debut April 8, when he beat the Chicago White Sox 1-0 in Detroit's only other shutout this season. This time, he allowed seven hits and three walks in 6 1/3 innings, striking out six.

Brian Johnson (1-3) gave up two unearned runs and five hits in five innings for Boston. He struck out five.

Detroit took the lead in the second after Victor Martinez reached on an error by third baseman Rafael Devers, playing his first game since being reinstated from the disabled list. Devers fielded Martinez's grounder well behind third and his throw went past first, enabling Martinez to arrive safely.

That miscue proved costly when Iglesias came up with two outs and hit a two-run double, giving the Tigers a 2-0 lead.

Fiers was with the World Series champion Astros last year, but did not pitch in the postseason. He made one appearance in the playoffs for Houston in 2015.

He's making a nice case for another chance this season. Fiers threw only two balls through the first two innings Saturday, and he allowed three runs or fewer for the ninth time in his last 10 starts. He struck out Xander Bogaerts for the third out of the fifth with runners on first and third.

Boston threatened again in the sixth, but with two on JaCoby Jones was able to run down Jackie Bradley Jr.'s drive at the warning track in left field. In the bottom of the inning, Jeimer Candelario hit a sacrifice fly to make it 3-0, and Iglesias added a two-run homer .

Fiers exited with runners at the corners in the seventh. Alex Wilson got Bogaerts to ground into a double play, ending the inning.

Boston star Mookie Betts had two hits, raising his big league-leading average to .355. He also made a superb catch in right field in the third, reaching above the wall to catch Leonys Martin's drive.

"I really needed that," Johnson said. "We're so lucky to have this outfield. It is almost scary how many times they make plays like that. They almost seem routine, but they really aren't."

The Red Sox have been held to one run so far in this series by Detroit, although they did win the opener 1-0 on Friday night.

"Boston's scored one run in two games, and that's hard to do," Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire said. "That says a lot about our pitching staff."

TRAINER'S ROOM

Red Sox: Devers (left shoulder inflammation) went 1 for 4. ... 2B Brock Holt, who left Friday's game with a bruised knee, was out of the lineup. Manager Alex Cora said he'd like to give Holt the weekend off. ... DH-OF J.D. Martinez had the day off after running into the wall while making a catch Friday. "These guys that make the All-Star Game, they really don't have an All-Star break," Cora said. "He's getting the day off because he ran into the wall, but I think it's a good day off for him anyway."

DENIED

Fiers wanted a chance to face Martinez, his college teammate from Nova Southeastern in Florida. It didn't happen.

"I've already texted him," Fiers said. "All my friends have texted him, too. They're not going to let him off easy."

UP NEXT

Boston ace Chris Sale (10-4) starts the series finale Sunday against Blaine Hardy (3-2). Sale is 5-1 with a 0.94 ERA in his last seven starts.