The Sunday, April 9, 2017

* The Boston Globe

Jackie Bradley Jr.’s defense worth its weight in gold

Peter Abraham

DETROIT — Jackie Bradley Jr., so graceful in center field for the Red Sox, had a heart-stopping stumble coming around first base in the ninth inning Saturday.

Bradley sent a fly ball to deep left field and took a hard turn around first base in case the ball wasn’t caught. His left foot tripped on the base and his right knee collapsed. Bradley fell in the dirt.

“It was kind of scary and ugly looking,” said.

Bradley was helped up and walked off the field on his own. The Sox trainers checked Bradley immediately after the injury and he saw one of the Detroit team doctors in the clubhouse. There was no injury.

“I’m built like Secretariat,” Bradley said. “It’s all good . . . everything is intact.”

Bradley plans to play Sunday.

“Absolutely,” he said. “That’s what I’m thinking.”

Bradley also smacked his left shoulder into the wall in right-center field when he made a terrific running catch to take an extra-base away from Nick Castellanos in the eighth inning.

“All good,” he said.

Bradley robbed Castellanos in the third inning when he raced in to make a diving catch on a ball to shallow center.

Through four games, Bradley has made a series of outstanding plays. After twice being a finalist for a Gold Glove, he seems determined to finally win the award.

“Oh, man, it’s a joke. He’s making plays that I don’t know if anybody else can make,” said. “It’s pretty special the routes he’s taking and the way he’s getting to balls.”

Said Farrell: “He’s been exceptional in center field. The ground he’s covering, the range that he has. Whether it’s coming in on balls [or] going back deep into corners. He’s just an exceptional center fielder.”

Bradley worked on his defense during spring training, his throwing in particular. That hasn’t come into play yet, but he’s pleased with his overall glove work.

“I’m just trying to make plays,” Bradley said. “Definitely been working on first-step [quickness]. I just feel like I’m getting to the ball more powerful. Other than that, I don’t know if I’m better. Just happen to have made some good plays so far.’’

Bradley also drove in the only of the game for the Sox with a sacrifice fly in the second inning. The ball to center field was caught just shy of the fence, 412 feet away according to the Statcast system.

Bradley started coughing as he spoke to reporters after the game. But he said it was not the flu that had been running through the team, just allergies.

“I don’t get sick,” he said.

Barnes in line Righthander is set to rejoin the team Sunday. He had three days of bereavement leave following the death of his grandmother.

With his bullpen a jumble, Farrell plans to restore at least some order by designating Barnes for the eighth inning. Over the first three games, the Sox have been matching up out of the bullpen with mixed results. The preference is to establish some roles.

“We’re not really overly concerned with the matchups so much with him. He’s shown the ability and has the pitches to attack both lefties and righties,” Farrell said. “That’s the ideal thing at his point.”

Barnes pitched the eighth inning Wednesday against Pittsburgh and retired the side in order.

The Sox traded for righthander Tyler Thornburg to handle the eighth inning, but he is on the disabled list with a shoulder injury and unlikely to return soon.

Pomeranz tunes up Drew Pomeranz threw an extended bullpen session before the game to prepare for his start Tuesday against Baltimore.

The lefthander opened the season on the disabled list with what the team said was a forearm strain. He had been scheduled to start Sunday but was pushed back by Thursday’s rainout.

Pomeranz pitched in a minor league intrasquad game Monday in Fort Myers, Fla., but has not faced major league hitters since March 29.

Good keepsake Righthanded reliever Ben Taylor made his major league debut Friday, striking out Ian Kinsler to end the seventh inning. He got the ball from that at-bat and has been carrying it in his backpack since.

“That was the only souvenir I wanted,” he said. “That ball is coming home.”

Taylor added to his good start Saturday when he struck out and Victor Martinez in the sixth inning. Taylor retired four in a row before back-to-back walks got him pulled out of the game.

The 24-year-old Taylor was a seventh-round draft pick in 2015 and made it to the majors after only 21 games above the level, all with A Portland last season.

Long-distance call NESN play-by-play man Dave O’Brien was struck by the flu during the game and couldn’t continue. Tom Caron, the pregame and postgame host, called the remainder of the game from the network’s studios in Watertown. If O’Brien is not available Sunday, Caron may call the game remotely again . . . Cabrera is 0 for 6 in the series with four and 0 for 12 on the season. He has walked four times . . . Lefthanded reliever Fernando Abad is the only Sox player on the Opening Day roster yet to appear in a game . . . The game was twice delayed when fans ran on the field. In both instances, security guards walked onto the field and took their time before corralling the interlopers . . . The Sox are 7-14 against the Tigers over the last four seasons . . . The Red Sox Foundation and the Boston Area Church League will unveil a new batting cage at the Roxbury YMCA at 10 a.m. Sunday. It is the third cage the Sox have installed in Boston since January to help youth baseball and softball players practice. Prior to that, the closest cage accessible to youth players was in Watertown . . . It was 53 degrees at first pitch, which represented a heat wave for the Sox. Their first three games were all in the 40s. The forecast is for temperatures in the 70s Sunday.

Playing the waiting game with Eduardo Rodriguez

Nick Cafardo

DETROIT — We’re all thinking the same thing: When will Eduardo Rodriguez achieve the promise that the Red Sox and all of baseball had for him as a prospect in the Orioles’ organization?

You’ve heard it a thousand times. It takes time for many prospects to reach that moment when they gain consistency, where they can repeat their deliveries enough to consistently perform into the seventh inning and beyond.

It’s not that E-Rod hasn’t done it. He has.

I think Rodriguez, a 4-1 loser to the Tigers on Saturday afternoon at Comerica Park, is going to be very good once it all clicks. In fact, he should be a top-echelon guy. And if you ask talent evaluators about him, there’s no reason why Rodriguez can’t be thought of like David Price or Chris Sale.

The problem is the consistency just isn’t there yet. Saturday’s performance was a perfect example. He pitched a very strong game for four innings, allowing one run against a pretty tough Tigers lineup before his game went south in a hurry in the fifth. He allowed homers to Jose Iglesias (in the third) and James McCann (in the fifth).

Rodriguez admitted he left too many pitches over the plate in the fifth. He allowed a double to JaCoby Jones, a wild pitch, another double to Iglesias, and a run-scoring single to Ian Kinsler before getting out of the inning.

“I just thought today was a case of poorly located pitches,” pitching Carl Willis said. “On the pitch to Iglesias [the ] he was trying to go in. Iglesias likes the ball in but it doesn’t mean you don’t go in, but when you do it’s not so much for a strike. You have to get it in far enough. With McCann’s homer as well, he didn’t get it where he wanted to and they made him pay for it.”

Willis agrees, however that maturity is setting in.

“It is,” he said. “He came in today when we sat down for our - meetings and he had done his homework. He had a plan. We made some adjustments, but those are things he’s continuing to learn and improve on. That being said, you have to go out and execute.”

Willis thinks the upside is worth waiting for.

“Oh yeah. He has three-plus pitches and again, it’s a matter of minimizing mistakes and learning to control damage. You have to have patience with him and keep positive with him, yet keep on top of him. When you have a hiccup or bad inning, you have to continue to work and be able to dig in and evaluate why this was a bad pitch,” Willis said.

Even established have occasional meltdowns, but they stand out more for a kid who’s just not quite there yet. Rodriguez just turned 24 on Friday, so it’s not like he’s an old man whose upside is behind him. He’s already pitched in parts of three seasons in the majors and you would think he’s learned a little from every one of his 42 major league starts.

He had a superb spring training where he had put his knee cap issues behind him. His knee cap occasionally slips out of place, including this winter when he had to come out of a winter league game in Venezuela. The Red Sox training staff has helped him strengthen the area over the past few months to where Rodriguez feels more confident in his delivery.

E-Rod seems like a guy who really wants to get to that next level and prove he belongs. And he’ll get plenty of more chances during the course of the season because he’s not going anywhere. The Red Sox are going to ride the wave with him, good and bad, until it smooths out.

This is why this is such a big year for him. The apprenticeship has taken place and now this is supposed to be the year that he takes off.

A lot of very good pitchers have gone through this when they’re up to the majors at a young age.

Look no further than , who was 20 years old when Dave Dombrowski summoned him to the Tigers.

Porcello had some up-and-down seasons early in his career. He showed flashes of finally getting to that point in 2014. And then in 2015 with the Red Sox he had probably the worst season of his career. He went from that to being the Cy Young Award winner in 2016.

Porcello went through that exhaustive stage where he was torn between being a four-seam pitcher and two- seam pitcher. Or maybe it was his pitching coaches who were torn. What he found was that at his core he was a sinkerball pitcher, but it didn’t mean he couldn’t throw a four-seamer as well.

And so Rodriguez will have to go through this evolution.

There was a reason he was traded for one of the elite relief pitchers in baseball in . Sometimes it’s hard for a contending team to carry an inconsistent starter, but on a team that has Price, Porcello, Sale, Steven Wright, and Drew Pomeranz, you do it knowing the reward could huge.

No feel-good story for Red Sox in loss to Tigers

Peter Abraham

DETROIT — For three games now, Red Sox manager John Farrell has not made out his lineup based on the opposing pitcher, statistical analysis, or the opinions of his coaching staff.

Those were the days. Farrell is now reduced to asking which players are actually in uniform and not somewhere in bed or, worse, the bathroom. The names change daily.

The depleted Sox were beaten again by the , 4-1, on Saturday before a crowd of 32,622 at Comerica Park.

The Red Sox were missing three of their best hitters. and Hanley Ramirez were unavailable because of the flu and is on the bereavement list following the death of a family member.

Three of their Opening Day relievers also weren’t with the team. Robbie Ross Jr. is on the disabled list with the flu and Joe Kelly wasn’t able to make it to the park. Matt Barnes also had a death in his family.

Even NESN play-by-play man Dave O’Brien had to leave the broadcast booth Saturday when he took sick.

Left fielder ducked out of the dugout to vomit during the sixth inning, but stayed in the game and singled in the eighth inning.

“We’re hopeful that was just a one-time deal,” Farrell said.

Reporters — from about 15 feet away — asked Benintendi if he would play Sunday.

“Everybody’s getting sick, but we’re good,” he said.

The manager is giving vomit updates; such is the state of the Red Sox. But the next day off won’t be until April 24. So one way or another, lineups have to be made and games played.

“I guess there’s an old saying: ‘You do what you can with what you have where you are,’ ” Farrell said. “That’s right where we’re at right now. Still have confidence in the guys that we run on the field.”

Some of the players, coaches, and staff members have tested positive for flu. Others have flu symptoms and a third group respiratory issues. Being around the Sox has become hazardous to your health.

Second baseman Dustin Pedroia, who has three sons, knows how quickly illness can spread through a family. Now it’s happening to his team.

“It’s tough,” Pedroia said. “We have to find a way to get everybody back and get over this little bug. You just have to grind. Everybody has to do something a little different.”

On days when the lineup is weakened, the starting pitcher’s work becomes even more critical. Lefthander Eduardo Rodriguez was sharp through four innings, driven in part by a desire to show Detroit stars and fellow Venezuelans Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez what he was capable of.

The 24-year-old Rodriguez has come to know Cabrera and Martinez well. He also admires Tigers first base coach Omar Vizquel, who managed Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic.

“Everything was going how I wanted,” Rodriguez said. “I felt great.”

But a 1-1 game got away from him in the fifth inning.

James McCann homered to left field with one out. JaCoby Jones and Jose Iglesias followed with doubles and Ian Kinsler with an RBI single.

“I was leaving pitches right over the middle of the plate,” Rodriguez said.

The Red Sox came back from a 4-0 deficit to take the lead before losing Friday. But this time they went quietly as Jordan Zimmerman and three relievers allowed two hits over the final four innings.

The Sox have played 38 innings this season and scored in only four of them. The run Saturday came in the second inning when Mitch Moreland doubled, took third on a fly ball, and scored on Jackie Bradley Jr.’s sacrifice fly.

The Sox were otherwise 1 for 6 with runners in scoring position, missing chances to score in the third, seventh, and eighth innings.

Benintendi grounded into a double play with the bases loaded in the third. Brock Holt, who was sick earlier in the week, struck out with two on to end the seventh. Then Pablo Sandoval grounded into a double play to end the eighth.

The inconsistency of the offense will change in time as the lineup gets key pieces back. Betts rejoined the team Saturday and should be able to play Sunday. Bogaerts is scheduled to return Monday. Ramirez is still back in Boston but on Friday received treatment at Massachusetts General Hospital for a high fever.

“I’m getting there,” Betts said.

For now, Farrell and Sox will show up Sunday and see who is available.

“It’s not like we can go home and quit. We have games to play, man,” Pedroia said. “We’ve got a job to do and we’ll try and do it the best we can.”

Billy Beane turned down the Red Sox 15 years ago. He has no regrets

Nick Cafardo

We remember the scene. How could we forget?

John Henry walking through Fenway Park on a rainy day with Billy Beane after the 2002 season and then going up to the press box, where Henry slipped Beane a piece of paper. On it was a five-year, $12.5 million offer.

At the time it was a record-breaking offer for a general manager. Beane was the hottest thing going in baseball. He was the inventor of Moneyball, and Henry wanted that model for his organization. The concept was simple: get the best players for the smallest payroll possible.

But Henry didn’t get his man. Beane remembers being flattered and honored. He thought about what it would mean to be the head baseball operations guy in Boston. But he turned it down. He wanted to watch his daughter Casey grow up. She was 12 at the time. He wanted to be close to his parents. He vowed that he wouldn’t base his life solely on money.

About 15 years have passed since that Fenway encounter, and Beane, now 55 and in his 20th year running the Oakland A’s, says he has no regrets.

“It turned out pretty well for the Red Sox and I have had a great run here and have enjoyed it here a great deal,” he said. “We’ve had our challenges, mostly stadium related, but we’ve had our successes and failures, but I never regretted the decision I made.

“I can’t believe it’s been 15 years. Looking back, I knew what I was turning down. I had known John even before that meeting and thought the world of him and Tom [Werner]. Look at what happened. Turning it down meant that Theo Epstein was in charge. And we know the rest of the story. I knew that the Red Sox, with John and Tom and Larry [Lucchino] were the best. They had built the best organization in the game and they had this bright young man in Theo who had great ideas of how to build a baseball organization. So no regrets. I got to build our organization with the help of some great people, and foremost for me, I got to watch my daughter grow up. She’s 27 now, but I was there and I didn’t miss a thing.”

However, as Beane tells it, “When she was looking at colleges, Boston College was high on her list. I joked with her, ‘So now you tell me?’ She wound up going to school in Ohio, but it was a funny coincidence that Boston College was so prominent.”

Efforts by A’s ownership to secure a new stadium were rebuffed time and time again. They tried to move to San Jose, where a new stadium awaited them, but the Giants would not relinquish their territorial rights to that area, and the A’s bid to move to Silicon Valley with its rich resources died quickly.

But Beane said that, for the first time since he’s been with the A’s, he feels a sense of optimism now. The Raiders are moving to Las Vegas and the A’s will be the only game in town. Beane said new team president DavidKaval has worked “25 hours a day to get something done and I think we’re getting close.”

The A’s now believe they will stay in Oakland.

For years, Beane’s hands have been tied.

“It’s affected us in a lot of ways in terms of player acquisition. We haven’t been able to attract the bigger- name free agents. We don’t have the resources that other big-market teams have,” he said.

In fact, this past offseason, the A’s thought they had a nice path to signing Edwin Encarnacion, whose price had dropped to where the A’s were in the hunt. But Oakland lost out to the Indians.

Beane has been able to “go for it” over the years since he turned down the Red Sox’ offer. At the trading deadline in 2014, he acquired from Boston for Yoenis Cespedes. Beane knew Lester was a rental and that he wouldn’t be able to re-sign him, nor would he be able to re-sign Cespedes. Lester pitched very well for the A’s until he blew up in the AL wild-card loss to Kansas City.

Beane took heat for dealing top prospect Addison Russell to the Cubs two weeks prior to the Lester deal to acquire Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel. That offseason, Beane dealt Josh Donaldson to Toronto.

Since 2003, the A’s have made the playoffs five times (losing the ALCS in 2006) and finished last three times. From 2000 to 2003, Oakland lost four straight ALDS series.

As for his relationship with Henry, Beane said, “We’ve spoken a few times over the years along with Tom. I think we talk more about Liverpool [soccer] than anything else. [The Red Sox have] built a great organization. They have everyone’s respect in the game.”

With an improving stadium outlook and the possibility of attracting higher-profile players, Beane believes that baseball in Oakland can thrive again.

ROYAL BLUE

The Royals were swept in their opening three-game series at Minnesota, and while things won’t stay that bad for Kansas City, understand that the Royals need to be in contention for management to consider keeping the core together.

After winning the in 2015, the Royals knew their championship window could close fast. The core players they so patiently waited for to develop — , Mike Moustakas, and Lorenzo Cain — were going to become free agents after this season. Given the Royals’ small-market payroll, the chances of signing any of them is highly unlikely. They decided to re-sign Alex Gordon before the start of the 2016 season, and Gordon had a poor year.

The Royals also face losing shortstop Alcides Escobar in free agency. Pitchers Jason Hammel and Ian Kennedy could be moved at the trade deadline.

Would the Blue Jays have interest in Hosmer if their /Steve Pearce first base platoon doesn’t pan out? Would the Pirates consider Hosmer if Josh Bell struggles? The Red Sox, Rockies, and Mets are all possible suitors if their first base situations become problematic.

Moustakas, a veteran third baseman, could be in play for the Mets, Giants, and Angels. Cain could be an interesting outfield piece for the Giants, Dodgers, Tigers, Rangers, and Mets.

Apropos of nothing 1. So what happened to the reinforced rule that base coaches must stay in their boxes? Coaches around the league are defying this edict because they believe it doesn’t make any sense. Third base coaches in particular need to get into the best position to see the base runner, and by starting in the coaches’ box they don’t feel comfortable. It doesn’t appear that MLB is enforcing the rule. The league has been on Red Sox third base coach Brian Butterfield at times for drifting onto the field on a ball hit in the left-field corner so he can follow the ball’s path. Butterfield never impedes the runner or interferes with the play. He quickly scoots back into foul territory. Fenway definitely has its quirks when it comes to plays down the lines.

2. Las Vegas really wants a team, especially after the city secured the NFL’s Raiders. It appears Rob Manfred is open to this if the situation is right. It will be interesting to see whether any expansion or relocation plans lead the league to Vegas or Montreal first.

3. Bovada Casino says the Pirates’ Clint Hurdle is the favorite to be the first manager fired, at 7/2 odds. Not sure about that one. The Reds’ is 4/1, the Angels’ Mike Scioscia is 5/1, the Twins’ Paul Molitor is 6/1, the Tigers’ Brad Ausmus is 13/2, and the Padres’ Andy Green is 15/2. The Red Sox’ John Farrell is 10th at 16/1.

4. Bobby Doerr turned 99 on Friday. He’s the oldest living major leaguer, oldest living Hall of Famer, and the last surviving player who played in the 1930s.

5. According to Elias, the Reds had the youngest Opening Day roster at 26.4 years old, while the Blue Jays were the oldest at 30.7.

6. SABR’s Bill Dean noted that Mark Teixeira finished his career with 1,862 hits in 1,862 games. The major leaguer with the most hits and an equal number of games was Luis Gonzalez with 2,591.

Updates on nine 1. Rich Hill, LHP, Dodgers — Hill was hit with a pitch in his first start but told this reporter, “I’m fine, no issues at all.” Well, except for one — another blister, which landed him on the 10-day DL. Hill had blister problems last year as well.

2. Mike Pagliarulo, hitting coach, Marlins — The organization feels it has really upgraded its offense by hiring Pagliarulo to replace Barry Bonds. Bonds certainly knows hitting as well as anyone, but communicating it and devoting himself to it became an issue and the Marlins knew they needed to make a change. Pagliarulo, from Medford, hit the ground running, meeting with every Marlins hitter in the offseason and creating a plan for each guy.

3. , RHP, Cubs — Cubs personnel couldn’t wait to pounce on Uehara in free agency. One issue was where he slotted in pay-wise. They knew they didn’t want to go to $9 million, Uehara’s salary the previous two seasons with the Red Sox, so they hoped a $6 million offer would trump the Red Sox’, and it did. Uehara is 42, but the Cubs believe that he’s throwing the ball as well as he ever has. The Red Sox seem to miss him already. The Cubs will follow the Red Sox’ plan on when to use him and when to back off.

4. Melvin Upton Jr., OF, free agent — The chances of Upton being picked up appear good, according to one AL evaluator. “You just never know when you get him on the uptick and that feeling is what teams are going to look for when they need an outfielder. You’ll probably see some team pick him up and hope for that moment,” the evaluator said. Upton is being paid $16.05 million this season, mostly from the Padres.

5. Brad Ausmus, manager, Tigers — Ausmus is operating as a lame duck in 2017. After owner Mike Ilitch died in February, his son Chris Ilitch assumed control of the team. He wants to reduce the payroll and build through the farm system. Mike Ilitch was fond of Ausmus, so it was expected that Ausmus had an extension in his future.

6. , 1B, Braves — John Hart always thinks outside the box. Howard was out there for the taking and the Braves dived in. No risk. If Howard gets up to the big league club he’ll earn $750,000. Howard hit 25 homers last season for the Phillies. No, he isn’t what he used to be, but he still has power against righties. The Braves could use him as a pinch hitter or flip him to an AL team as a DH.

7. Manuel Margot, CF, Padres — Margot, the former Red Sox prospect given up in the Craig Kimbrel deal, not only made the Padres’ Opening Day roster but belted two home runs Friday against the Giants with Matt Cain on the mound. Margot was superb defensively throughout spring training and the Padres were willing to be patient with his offense. But Margot, 22, is already making an impact from the leadoff spot.

8. Doug Fister, RHP, free agent — Fister has refused to sign a minor league deal. Many teams have inquired, but the big righthander wants a major league deal. So far, nobody’s biting. The Mets were the latest to inquire. Fister will have to change his posture if he wants to pitch this season. He’d have to pitch minor league innings anyway to get ready.

9. Bartolo Colon, RHP, Braves — Colon is the oldest player in the majors at 43, while Blue Jays reliever Jason Grilli is the oldest player in the American League at 40 years 5 months. Padres catcher Luis Torrens is the youngest player in the majors at 20 years 11 months, while Royals Raul Mondesi Jr. is the youngest in the AL at 21 years 9 months.

Extra innings From the Bill Chuck files: “ struck out 10 in his 6⅓ IP Opening Day win over the White Sox. Verlander now has 38 career 10-plus games with a record of 29-4 and five (no decisions).” Also, “A record total of 259 players (29.8 percent) on 2017 Opening Day 25-man rosters and inactive lists were born outside the United States and represent a record-high 19 countries and territories. The lead with 14 foreign-born players. The Padres and Mariners have the second-most foreign-born players on their 25-man rosters with 12 each.” . . . Happy birthday, Chris Smith (36) and (54).

Down on the farm The restocked their formerly unimpressive minor league system by trading Chris Sale and for a treasure trove of prospects. The moves helped them climb 18 spots to fifth in ’s 2017 rankings of farm systems.

* The Boston Herald

Jackie Bradley Jr. scares Red Sox in loss to Tigers

Chad Jennings

DETROIT — Jackie Bradley Jr. refused to knock on wood. Said he didn’t need to. He’d just crashed into a wall, fallen down while running the bases, and — perhaps most troubling — coughed into his shirt while standing in the middle of a Red Sox clubhouse overrun by the flu.

“I’m built like Secretariat,” Bradley insisted. “It’s all good.”

It was a surprising show of confidence given all that had just happened. In a punchless 4-1 loss to the Tigers yesterday, Bradley had been one of the Red Sox’ only high points. He’d driven in their only run and made two terrific running catches in center field.

But in the ninth inning, while running out a meaningless fly ball, Bradley stumbled rounding first base. He seemed to injure his right knee and crashed to the dirt, where trainers rushed to his side. Bradley walked off gingerly and was examined in the clubhouse.

It looked bad, perhaps the worst blow yet to a Red Sox roster already decimated by injury, illness and bereavement, but initial tests came back negative, and Bradley declared himself good to go. He said he expects to be in the lineup today.

“That’s what I’m thinking,” he said, again with a dismissive certainty.

If that’s the case, perhaps yesterday was simply the low point of this bizarre opening week for the Red Sox.

They were again without Mookie Betts, Hanley Ramirez and Xander Bogaerts, and reliever Joe Kelly was added to the list of sick players. One run was their weakest offensive showing yet. The Red Sox offense has hit in 38 innings this season, and scored in only four of them.

They’ve still managed to keep an even record at 2-2.

“It’s not like we can go home and quit,” Dustin Pedroia said. “We’ve got games to play, man. We’ve got a job to do, and we’re going to try to do it the best we can.”

Betts was at least available to pinch-hit for the first time since Opening Day, and he could be back in the lineup today. Bogaerts is scheduled to return from the bereavement list tomorrow. Both would be welcome additions.

That said, Andrew Benintendi threw up in the middle of yesterday’s game, and the team can only hope it was a one-time issue and not the sign of another illness in the middle of the order.

“There’s an old saying,” manager John Farrell said. “You do what you can with what you have where you are, and that’s where we’re at right now. We still have confidence in the guys we run on the field and put together a quality ballgame, and we’re back at it (today).”

A sure sign of where the Red Sox are came in the fifth inning, with the score 1-1, when Farrell brought the infield in only to have the Tigers put together a three-run outburst to provide the difference. It was basically an all-or-nothing risk, an acknowledgment that the Red Sox couldn’t concede even one run in the middle of a close game.

“We’re going to look to take runs away early in ballgames, even in the middle innings,” Farrell said. “Knowing that runs are kind of a premium for us to come by right now, given the state of our lineup, that’s not to take anything away from our guys, but you take out the middle of an order, it’s going to create a little void.”

Bradley has done his part to aid in the run prevention. He twice robbed Nick Castellanos of extra bases, including an eighth-inning catch just before slamming into the wall.

“Oh man, it’s a joke,” Pedroia said. “He’s making plays that I don’t know if anybody else can make. It’s pretty special, the routes he’s taking and the way he’s getting the ball.”

Bradley is also hitting .286, but it’s his defense — long recognized as a strength — that’s stood out this early in the season.

“Definitely been working on first step,” he said. “I just feel like I’m getting to the ball more powerfully. Other than that, I don’t know if I’m better. I’ve just happened to make some good plays so far.”

Bradley said his shoulder was fine after the catch at the wall, and his knee felt fine after the fall rounding first. But that cough in the clubhouse?

“It’s just cough,” he said. “I don’t get sick. I haven’t been sick since I had the chicken pox when I was 6.”

On a team overloaded with sickness, those were the most optimistic words of the day.

Red Sox notebook: Ballclub continues to battle flu

Chad Jennings

DETROIT — Quarantined for three days, right fielder Mookie Betts finally returned to the Red Sox clubhouse yesterday, and he’s expected back in the lineup today.

It seems Betts have finally gotten over the flu. Now, if only the same could be said for the rest of the roster.

The latest to fall victim was reliever Joe Kelly, who was sent away from Comerica Park before the 4-1 loss to the Detroit Tigers. A while later, left fielder Andrew Benintendi threw up in the middle of the game.

“We’re hopeful that was just a one-time deal (with Benintendi),” manager John Farrell said. “And we’ll see how he feels when he comes in tomorrow.”

The flu bug has been relentless after first striking the ballclub in spring training. Reliever Robbie Ross Jr. is on the disabled list with a diagnosed case of influenza, and designated hitter Hanley Ramirez has also been diagnosed. Ramirez was left behind in Boston and is likely to miss all four games in this series, which wraps up tomorrow.

“He’s dealing with a pretty high-grade fever,” Farrell said. “So his status for this entire series is questionable.”

Utility infielder Brock Holt and regular Mitch Moreland have each returned after missing time with the illness. Third baseman Pedro Sandoval has described himself as feeling sick, but not nearly as sick as some of the teammates around him.

Farrell described three versions of the illness that simply won’t leave the Red Sox alone. One is a respiratory issue, another is simply flu-like symptoms and the most severe is the flu itself.

“We’ve removed people to quarantine them, and yet this hasn’t been able to be contained,” Farrell said.

Betts flew out to join the team in the morning, and he took batting practice during the game. He was available as a pinch hitter.

“He swung a little bit in the cage early in the game,” Farrell said. “He’s certainly not 100 percent yet. We possibly, if we’re mounting something against (Tigers reliever Justin) Wilson in the ninth, (Betts was) possibly available in the leadoff spot.”

Welcome addition

The Red Sox soon will be closer to full strength not only with Betts returning, but also with reliever Matt Barnes scheduled to come off the bereavement list today. Shortstop Xander Bogaerts is on track to return from bereavement tomorrow.

Barnes will be a welcome addition to the late-inning bullpen contingent, which failed to bridge the gap to closer Craig Kimbrel on Friday.

“(On Wednesday), I think if you look at the way it worked with Barnes in the eighth, we’re not really overly concerned with the matchups with him,” Farrell said. “He’s shown the ability and has the pitches to attack both lefties and righties. That’s the ideal thing at this point.” . . .

As planned, David Price threw long toss up to 120 feet before the game. He then threw breaking balls off flat ground, his most significant step back from the forearm/elbow issue that bothered him in spring training.

Farrell said he still expects Price to throw a bullpen tomorrow. It will be Price’s first session since Feb. 28.

“Another consistent work day from him,” Farrell said. . . .

Drew Pomeranz threw an “extended, simulated bullpen” to prepare for his scheduled start on Tuesday. A roster move will be made when he comes off the disabled list.

“We opted not to throw live (to hitters) here just because of the time schedule this morning,” Farrell said. “But a good work day that puts him in line for Tuesday’s start against Baltimore back in Boston.”

Taylor strikes again

After making his big league debut Friday with a strikeout, reliever Ben Taylor struck out three more, including Miguel Cabrera, in his second appearance. Taylor also walked two in 11⁄3 innings . . .

Mitch Moreland had his second straight two-hit game after going hitless in his first two games.

Sox staring down first eastern gauntlet

Michael Silverman

Minus the make-up visit from Pittsburgh on Thursday, the Red Sox are about to begin an uninterrupted stretch of the meat and potatoes of their schedule. The American League East, arguably again the best division in the league — the AL West looks awfully tough — is on the docket for 15 straight games beginning on Tuesday when the Orioles report to Fenway. Two Tuesdays later, the Red Sox will have gotten their first look at the four teams most responsible for their fate this season.

Last year, the Red Sox won the division by four games, and were 43-33 against their East foes. Is the path to a back-to-back crown just as easy? The short answer is no, considering the unresolved issues of David Price, Tyler Thornburg and no replacement for , but a black-or-white answer simply won’t do.

What we will do is lay it out both ways. The reasoning may cause you whiplash at times, but you’ve got six months of the regular season to recover.

Blue Jays

Reasons to Worry: If all you see is a team without Edwin Encarnacion, adjust your focus. The big picture is Toronto’s starters boasted the lowest ERA (3.46) in the league last year, and they’re all back. In Aaron Sanchez, Marcus Stroman, J.A. Happ, Marco Estrada and Francisco Liriano, the Blue Jays have the deepest 1-5 in the league. I’m not saying Sanchez and Stroman (or Happ) at the top are better than Rick Porcello and Chris Sale, but they’re awfully close.

Bullpen-wise, the Blue Jays have a gem in closer Roberto Osuna, who is only 22 years old.

Before moving to the offense, one word about the Blue Jays’ defense: It’s excellent, especially with Kevin Pillar in center field, plus Troy Tulowitzki and Josh Donaldson covering the left side of the infield. In this division, this counts.

So, to the offense. Yes, Encarnacion’s gone, but the Blue Jays did not all of a sudden drop into the mediocre category. Kendrys Morales does not have the name recognition, but he is a sneaky good overall hitter. He should thrive in a good hitting stadium and in a better lineup with Donaldson, who’s as dangerous as it gets. Add in Jose Bautista; if healthy, he should put up better numbers than his sub-par contract push season last year.

Reasons to Relax: You don’t really think the Blue Jays can claim to be any better without Encarnacion, do you? Of course their offense is going to take a hit. Morales is good, but has so much to prove playing and producing in the AL East. Factor in Tulowitzki and second baseman/leadoff hitter Devon Travis’ problems staying healthy. Bautista’s dropoff last season. That Russell Martin looked at times last season as if he had forgotten how to hold a bat. You understand that the offense is going to tail off.

That will only put more pressure on the rotation to provide everything it did last season, especially in the innings department, because Toronto’s bullpen has many question marks leading up to Osuna. Losing Brett Cecil will hurt, and there are plenty of concerns about a pack of relievers led by Jason Grilli and newcomer J.P. Howell. It’s an undistinguished group, and if the starters can’t go deep into games, the Blue Jays will be vulnerable.

Yankees

Reasons to Worry: Stranger danger. With no A-Rod, no Mark Teixeira, no Brian McCann and no Carlos Beltran, you might not recognize the younger Yankees this season. In catcher Gary Sanchez, right fielder Aaron Judge and first baseman Greg Bird, the Yankees are managing a pretty good imitation of the youthful core the Red Sox and Astros have. They all played well this spring, when the revamped Yankees went 22-8. It may be a stretch to propose this, but it’s not unheard of for a group of youngsters to all click at the same time. That’s supposed to happen in 2-3 years, but if it happens now, watch out. Matt Holliday as the DH could turn into a steal. (OK, a $13 million steal.)

Pitching-wise, the Yankees guaranteed competitiveness by inking Aroldis Chapman to the richest relief contract ever. He’s nearly unhittable, and should prove to be an excellent role model (from the mound) for Dellin Betances, who was and still could be the Yankees closer.

In the rotation, Masahiro Tanaka is just about as good as a No. 1 can get. Michael Pineda has yet to put together a full consistent season, but he’s only 28. If he can harness his considerable tools, his ceiling’s higher than the average underachiever.

Reasons to Relax: I know New Yorkers are notoriously confident. Surely, if they could put one of their own in the White House, the tricky balancing act they are trying to pull off between rebuilding and being competitive will tilt in their favor.

Ha. No way.

Simply too much needs to go perfectly for the Yankees to pose a serious threat to at least the Red Sox and the Blue Jays. I’m sure Sanchez is going to destroy a few pitches this summer, but he’s also due for some serious sophomore year regression. And while the 6-foot-7 Judge might be physically imposing in a -Richie Sexson-Giancarlo Stanton sort of way, he is at risk to turning into a strictly Sexson-like strikeout machine. Here’s another reason to be down on the Yankees: is still their center fielder.

Pitching-wise, let’s not forget that after Tanaka, that rotation is filled with question marks, including CC Sabathia and a cast of youngsters (led by Luis Severino) with more question marks than even Judge and Bird.

The Yankees are not ready to be feared yet.

Orioles

Reasons to Worry: It’s the old fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me when it comes to discounting these guys. They’re the only AL East team to make the playoffs in three of the last five seasons, averaging 89 wins — major props to manager and general manager Dan Duquette. Having Mark Trumbo back in the fold means the Orioles can go full steam ahead with their mash-and-bash ways of last year, when they led the majors in home runs. Trumbo joins Chris Davis and Manny Machado, who along with Donaldson and Mookie Betts is in the discussion for the best player in the division.

The Orioles have two young pitchers, Kevin Gausman and , capable of blossoming. If they do, there’ll be joy in Camden Yards this summer because with that offense and a smooth-running rotation to go along with the deepest bullpen (closer Zach Britton) in the division, the Orioles become a real threat.

Reasons to Relax: Have you seen the rotation behind Gausman and Bundy? It’s not good. Chris Tillman would make a very good No. 3 pitcher, but that’s tough considering he’s out all this month at least. Then there’s the streaky Ubaldo Jimenez and the once-and-former innings eater . . . stop me when you get the point. The Orioles are operating on a wing and a prayer against the lineups in this division.

No doubt their lineup has enough pop, but they need to improve on their on-base percentage — .317 last year, below league average — or it’s going to be all solo shots.

Rays

Reasons to Worry: There’s no way to sugarcoat the Rays right now, but it’s early. If their deep-enough rotation — think Blue Jays Lite — can keep the ship upright for the early part of the season, a few new position players will have enough time to heal, return and help make this team a lot more interesting. Catcher Wilson Ramos (knee) and outfielder Colby Rasmus (hip, abdomen), along with shortstop Matt Duffy, are all talented players with the potential to make an impact on offense, where the Rays are the weakest.

Between the WBC and Opening Day, starter Chris Archer has already shown he won’t get off to the slow start he had last year. He, and make an imposing front three, one that can slow down any team in any series.

Reasons to Relax: How much time have we got? The Rays’ issues, as they always do, begin and end with their offense. Evan Longoria once again has no support to boast about, and the small-market team simply does not have the funds — and, perhaps worse, the type of rabid fan base that is needed to apply pressure on ownership — to do better. The farm system looks strong again, but that’s not going to help anyone this year.

One more thing. As good as the rotation is, the team probably will not be able to fully reap its benefits. Not with a bullpen that has closer Alex Colome, who’s really good, but nobody else who’s plain old good.

Infectious atmosphere surrounds sickly Sox

Michael Silverman

DETROIT — Stay away from the Red Sox.

I mean that literally.

When Jackie Bradley Jr. couldn’t keep back a cough during a postgame interview, he quickly lifted the collar of his T-shirt before emitting a deep, chesty cough.

In unison, a group of sportswriters did a backward bunny hop.

You’ve never seen scribes move so quickly.

“You all watch out,” Bradley said with a crafty smile.

The Red Sox are in sick, sick shape, and that makes it impossible to make an accurate read on their state of play four games into the season when the entire team has become unwitting cast members of “The Walking Near-Dead,” a queasy crew of coughing, vomiting, sniffling, sneezing, hollow-eyed, surgical mask-wearing zombies.

Their lineup and pitching staff are in tatters and on IVs.

Flying back to Boston after tomorrow’s game only in order to infect New England sounds like a really bad idea.

It’s rough enough that they are waging a losing battle against three separate bugs — straight-out flu, a bug that causes flu-like symptoms, and upper-respiratory nastiness — ripping through the clubhouse.

As their casualties mount, so, too, do the losses.

Yesterday’s was the second in the row to the Tigers, who must be feeling awfully chipper that they have caught the Red Sox at this exposed and vulnerable moment in the very young season.

They should knock on wood before disinfecting the visiting clubhouse with the most potent cleaning supplies ever devised.

Quarantining their visiting clubhouse staff wouldn’t be such a bad idea, either.

The Red Sox, meanwhile, don’t want your sympathy as much as you want to avoid their germs.

“It’s not like we can go home and quit,” said Dustin Pedroia, one of the few players who sounded as fine as he said he felt. “We’ve got games to play, man. We’ve got a job to do, and we’re going to try to do it the best we can.”

The effort part is what’s creating a compulsive need to take a shower in anti-bacterial soap before, during and after being anywhere near these guys.

Being careful not to touch anything, let’s take a stroll through their ward and review the latest medical reports.

First off, a couple of members of the poor training staff — the ones who have to stretch, poke, prod and massage the players — were wearing surgical masks before the game. Can’t blame them. Even manager John Farrell donned one briefly, in a lighthearted walk through the hall and into the dining room.

Sick joke, indeed, but why not?

If you can’t laugh, you’ll sneeze.

Hanley Ramirez officially has the flu and is still in Boston, where he will likely remain for the rest of this series.

Mookie Betts flew in from Boston yesterday morning after missing these first two games with the flu, and was perhaps going to pinch-hit for Brock Holt (also still woozy) in the ninth if the team rallied. He may be in the lineup today.

Mitch Moreland, quarantined at the end of spring training, is back. He looks a little pale, but at least he has started to hit the ball well, with two more hits yesterday.

Robbie Ross Jr. is on the DL with an official case of influenza, and Joe Kelly was back at the team hotel after coming down with some brand of the sick after Friday’s game, during which he happened to have played a key, negative part in the loss.

Hitting coaches Chili Davis and Victor Rodriguez have been hit.

Farrell has the upper-respiratory variety.

And when asked for a postgame update on the pregame sick report, Farrell had unpleasant news.

“(Andrew) Benintendi was throwing up in about the sixth inning,” Farrell said. “We’re hopeful that was just a one-time deal, and we’ll see how he feels when he comes in (today).”

It’s ridiculous, really.

But what are the Red Sox going to do?

“There’s an old saying — you do what you can with what you have where you are, and that’s where we’re at right now,” Farrell said. “We still have confidence in the guys we run on the field and put together a quality ballgame, and we’re back at it tomorrow.”

Can’t wait to witness it.

Assuming I’m not stricken overnight, look for me.

I’ll be the guy in the back of the scrum, wrapped head-to-toe in bubble wrap.

* The Providence Journal

Detroit’s young rotation a reminder of Dombrowski’s track record of evaluation

Brian MacPherson

DETROIT -- At this point, as high as is the standard he has set with the Detroit Tigers, even six shutout innings from Michael Fulmer on Friday afternoon can feel like a bit of a disappointment.

“He wasn’t very good,” Detroit pitching coach Rich Dubee said a day later. “He really didn’t throw a whole lot of or sliders for strikes. He made enough good pitches -- and that’s what he has a habit of doing, as good pitchers do.”

Fulmer last season compiled a 3.06 ERA in 26 starts for Detroit, winning American League Rookie of the Year honors. Daniel Norris pitched through a back injury to post a 3.42 ERA in his 13 starts. Matt Boyd pitched to a 4.53 ERA in just shy of 100 innings pitched, including 18 starts. The oldest of the three just turned 26.

The presence of Boyd, Fulmer and Norris alongside Justin Verlander is an obvious counterexample to the idea that ex-Detroit executive Dave Dombrowski has no use for prospects beyond what he can get for them in trade. An aging Tigers team would be in a far more daunting predicament had Dombrowski not acquired Boyd, Fulmer and Norris in trades shortly before he was shown the door.

“These three guys have good futures here,” Dubee said.

For much of his tenure in Detroit, which ended in 2015, Dombrowski was in win-now mode -- and that meant trading prospects for veterans. That’s the reputation he brought with him to Boston, a reputation he has upheld with more aggressive dealing of the future for the present.

The track record of Dombrowski, however, suggests he has had a knack for knowing which young players to trade and which to keep or acquire.

Dombrowski traded Andrew Miller and for Miguel Cabrera. Miller and Maybin both foundered, bouncing from team to team before finding their footing as big-leaguers, while Cabrera became one of the best hitters in Detroit history.

Dombrowski traded pitching prospect Jacob Turner to Miami for Anibal Sanchez. Turner amounted to nothing, and Sanchez led the American League in ERA in 2013. Dombrowski traded a trio of youngsters to Seattle for Doug Fister. None of those youngsters made an impact in Seattle, and Fister comiled a 3.29 ERA in more than 400 innings pitched for the Tigers. Dombrowski traded power-hitting prospect Avisail Garcia in a deal that brought back Jose Iglesias from Boston. Garcia has slugged a mere .388 in more than 1,500 plate appearances with the Chicago White Sox, while Iglesias is in his third year as the Tigers’ starting shortstop.

When it came time for Dombrowski to trade veterans for young players, however, he acquired Fulmer for Yoenis Cespedes and Boyd and Norris for David Price. All three look like big-league contributors. The three make up much of the reason for hope for a franchise that otherwise might be teetering on the verge of collapse under the weight of its most expensive contracts.

Yes, Dombrowski traded away Randy Johnson in a deal for Mark Langston in 1989. Yes, Dombrowski traded away Trevor Hoffman in a deal for Gary Sheffield in 1993. Yes, more recently, Dombrowski traded line-drive machine Devon Travis to Toronto in an ill-advised deal for Anthony Gose in 2014.

On balance, however, Dombrowski has tended to trade prospects at the height of their value -- and not get burned. That he didn’t trade Verlander or Rick Porcello as prospects in Detroit or Andrew Benintendi upon arrival in Boston only reinforces that track record. It’s that track record of player evaluation that seemed to attract the Red Sox to him.

Dombrowski without question has been aggressive in trading away prospects since the Red Sox hired him to run their baseball-operations department -- far more aggressive than were predecessors Theo Epstein or .

Epstein and Cherington generally declined to trade their best young players, which worked out in the cases of Mookie Betts and Xander Bogaerts but yielded no return in the cases of Lars Anderson, Garin Cecchini, Henry Owens and . When they did trade prospects, the moves tended to backfire -- like Anthony Rizzo for Adrian Gonzalez or Josh Reddick for Andrew Bailey.

It’s hard to imagine Epstein or Cherington trading away Yoan Moncada or , as Dombrowski did last December -- but, like the trade for Cabrera, the price won’t matter much if Sale pitches for three seasons like he did in his first start for the Red Sox on Wednesday.

The trade that prompted the fiercest blowback from the Red Sox fan base was the one-for-one swap of Anderson Espinoza for Drew Pomeranz, especially after it came to light that San Diego had withheld medical information on Pomeranz. That Pomeranz yielded 10 earned runs in his final 12 regular-season innings last year and required an offseason elbow injection only ratcheted up the cynicism.

But the 19-year-old Espinoza will begin this season on the disabled list for what the Padres have called precautionary reasons after feeling stiffness in his right forearm. The scare is a reminder of just how far Espinoza has to go if he’s going to make Dombrowski and the Red Sox regret trading him away.

(The Padres youngster who might be making Red Sox fans wince now is outfielder Manuel Margot, who went to San Diego for Craig Kimbrel and has hit two home runs in the first week of the season.)

Meanwhile, in Detroit, the trio of Boyd, Fulmer and Norris has joined with Verlander to make up what looks like an exciting young starting rotation -- a rotation built on prospects Dombrowski traded for rather than traded away.

Tigers 4, Red Sox 1: Flu-ravaged Red Sox go down meekly

Brian MacPherson

DETROIT -- Dynamic Red Sox rookie Andrew Benintendi had a chance to give the Red Sox an early lead when he came to the plate in the third inning on Saturday at Comerica Park. He instead rolled an inning- ending double-play grounder toward second base.

Perhaps Benintendi can be forgiven. By the sixth inning, Red Sox manager John Farrell said, Benintendi was throwing up -- presumably adding him to the list of victims of a flu that has ravaged the Boston clubhouse in the last two weeks. That Benintendi managed to reach base in the eighth inning as part of a brief rally looked in hindsight like a minor miracle.

So it goes for the Red Sox, a team that lost Mookie Betts and Hanley Ramirez to the flu before the four- game series in Detroit began -- in addition to losing Xander Bogaerts to the bereavement list. Boston has only scored in four of the 38 innings it has played this season and went down meekly in a 4-1 defeat at the hands of the Tigers on Saturday. Detroit’s Jordan Zimmermann was hardly overpowering but still yielded just one run in six strong innings before three relief pitchers finished the game out.

Rather than Betts and Ramirez hitting third and fourth for the Red Sox, as they did on Opening Day, Benintendi and Mitch Moreland hit third and fourth on Friday and Saturday -- both games that Boston lost. Moreland doubled and scored Boston’s lone run.

“It’s not like we can go home and quit,” said Dustin Pedroia, one of the few survivors left in the Boston clubhouse. “We’ve got games to play, man. We’ve got a job to do. We’re going to try to do it the best we can.”

“You take out the middle of an order, it’s going to create a little void,” Boston manager John Farrell said.

The Red Sox seemed to dodge an even more damaging loss in the ninth inning. Jackie Bradley Jr. had just flown out to left field when he lost his footing in the dirt beyond first base. He crumpled to the ground and required the assistance of a trainer but eventually walked off under his own power. Early indications were that he’d avoided serious injury.

“I’m built like Secretariat,” he said later.

The value of Bradley to the Red Sox has been increasingly evident in the first week of the season. The rangy center fielder made a pair of highlight-reel catches on Saturday, both to rob Detroit’s Nick Castellanos -- including an eighth-inning catch that saw him crash into the fence in right-center field.

“He’s been exceptional in center field -- the ground he’s covering and the range that he has, whether it’s coming in on balls or going back deep in the corners,” Farrell said.

Eduardo Rodriguez navigated the loaded top half of the Detroit batting order relatively well on Saturday, his first start of the regular season. He blew a fastball past Miguel Cabrera in the first inning. He got Victor Martinez to bounce into a double play in the fourth.

It was the bottom half of the Detroit batting order that ruined the day for Rodriguez and the Red Sox. Nine- hole hitter Jose Iglesias hit a home run and an RBI double and James McCann hit his second home run in as many games -- both capitalizing on Rodriguez fastballs that wound up in the middle of the plate.

Rodriguez yielded four earned runs in his five innings, striking out five and walking three.

Joe Kelly, Dave O’Brien the latest victims of Red Sox flu epidemic

Brian MacPherson

DETROIT -- Mookie Betts rejoined the Red Sox at Comerica Park on Saturday, having flown from Boston once his flu symptoms subsided enough for him to do so.

Joe Kelly, meanwhile, has succumbed, and stayed behind at the Red Sox team hotel in Detroit on Saturday -- making him the latest victim of an epidemic that has swept through the clubhouse. Hanley Ramirez remained back in Boston with illness that forced him to seek treatment on Friday, and it’s not likely that he’ll travel to Detroit at all.

Despite the team’s best efforts, the strains of flu that first appeared during spring training only continue to claim victims. Even NESN play-by-play announcer Dave O’Brien gave up the microphone in the middle of Saturday’s game due to illness, forcing studio host Tom Caron to do play-by-play remotely.

“This hasn’t been able to be contained from one certain group to another or a couple of guys,” Boston manager John Farrell said. “There’s three different things that are going around -- one’s a respiratory one, one’s flu-like symptoms, and one is the full-blown flu.”

The absence of Kelly on Saturday, at least, was less impactful given the desire of Farrell to stay away from him regardless. Kelly threw 27 pitches over two innings on Wednesday and then issued a pair of walks as part of a bullpen implosion on Friday. Kelly said afterward that he’d been too cautious with James McCann and JaCoby Jones, a pair of hitters one would expect Kelly to overpower.

“In that situation, if he falls behind McCann as he did, I can understand, with a base open, to not just give in,” Farrell said. “Ideally, in a perfect world, you’re not falling behind. But, obviously, it puts added pressure on making sure you’re going to attack the next guy and record the out.”

To Farrell, the culprit in that inning was the inability of Kelly, Heath Hembree and Robby Scott to throw a pivotal pitch with two strikes. Hembree was a pitch away from striking out , Scott a pitch away from striking out Mikie Mahtook, Kelly a pitch away from striking out Jones.

“We had three consecutive hitters at 1-2 counts, and we didn’t have the ability to finish the hitter off,” Farrell said.

* The Springfield Republican

Red Sox offense continues to sputter, but severe flu bug isn't helping

Jen McCaffrey

DETROIT - On the surface, the Red Sox offense hasn't looked good through the first week of games.

But factoring in a severe case of the flu that's decimated the team, it's hard to blame them, let alone get a read on how this offense might produce.

Through four games, the Red Sox have scored 14 runs. In each of those games there's been one key offensive inning in which all the runs were scored.

On Opening Day it was a five-run fifth.

On Wednesday it was the three-run homer in the 12th.

On Friday, it was a five-run eighth inning.

And on Saturday, the lone run scored in a 4-1 loss came in the second.

April is a tough month for hitters regardless, but the lack of a consistent lineup as players drop like flies from the illness, makes it even more difficult.

In both games this weekend against Detroit, the Red Sox had Brock Holt (who battled the flu at the beginning of the week) leading off as designated hitter. He went 1-for-2 Friday and 0-for-3 on Saturday. Boston lost both games.

The Red Sox are expecting Mookie Betts to return on Sunday after his battle with the bug, and Xander Bogaerts is expected to rejoin the club on Monday after his leave of absence for the death of his grandmother.

The Red Sox had a good chance to score with one out in the third inning when Christian Vazquez doubled, Brock Holt walked and Dustin Pedroia singled to load the bases. But Andrew Benintendi came to the plate and grounded into a double play.

After the game, Farrell noted Benintendi got sick in the sixth inning with the stomach bug, vomiting in the tunnel next to the dugout. He stayed in the game.

In the eighth, Pedroia walked and Benintendi singled to lead off the inning, but a force out followed by a double play erased the threat.

Even Red Sox NESN play by play announcer Dave O'Brien left Saturday's game mid-broadcast after falling ill.

"There's an old saying -- you do what you can with what you have where you are, and that's where we're at right now," Farrell said. "We still have confidence in the guys we run on the field and put together a quality ballgame, and we're back at it tomorrow."

There's always a need to point the finger when the Red Sox aren't doing well, but in this case, there's not much anyone can do until the flu runs its course.

Jackie Bradley Jr. injury: Centerfielder jams right knee on fall, but expects to play Sunday

Jen McCaffrey

DETROIT - The Red Sox haven't had luck keeping players healthy the past week, but Jackie Bradley Jr. may have avoided serious injury on Saturday afternoon.

In the top of the ninth inning, Bradley hit a deep fly out to left field. As he was rounding first, he collapsed to the ground and stayed there for a few minutes as trainers and manager John Farrell jogged onto the field attend to him.

Bradley eventually got up slowly and walked off under his own power. After the game, he saw the Red Sox team doctors for testing on his right knee.

"He said everything is intact," Bradley said.

Bradley didn't know exactly what happened on the play.

"I didn't actually get to see it yet but they were saying I tripped on my left foot, which is my plant foot, as I was touching the bag," he said. "As I tripped, I tried to catch myself with my right leg and that's when it hyperextended."

Bradley plans to be in the lineup on Sunday, but will be checked when he comes to the park.

"It was scary and ugly-looking when his footing gave way," Farrell said. "The ground gave out from underneath him as he rounded first. He was able to come off under his own power. We did some preliminary testing down behind the dugout. He was starting to loosen up"

As of Saturday, the Red Sox were still without Mookie Betts and Hanley Ramirez to the flu. Robbie Ross Jr. had been placed on the disabled list with a sever case of the flu and Andrew Benintendi was throwing up during the game on Saturday.

A serious injury to Bradley, could be devastating in the short- and long-term, but for now it seems like the Red Sox have avoided a worst-case scenario.

David Price, Drew Pomeranz progressing; Matt Barnes, Xander Bogaerts to return soon

Jen McCaffrey

DETROIT - The Red Sox roster has been a revolving door of injuries, illness and leaves of absence in the first week of the season.

As several players deal with the flu, two more left the team earlier this week on bereavement leave.

Matt Barnes and Xander Bogaerts each missed time this week for the death of their grandmothers, but each is expected to return in the coming days.

Barnes left the team on Thursday to be with his family and will return to the Red Sox later tonight. He'll be available to pitch on Sunday for the team.

Bogaerts, who returned to Aruba for his maternal grandmother's funeral, left the team on Friday. He will arrive in Detroit late on Sunday and be available to play on Monday in the final game of the four-game trip against the Tigers.

On the injury front, Drew Pomeranz threw an extended simulated bullpen on Saturday in preparation of his first start of the season on Tuesday in Boston. Manager John Farrell said Pomeranz came out of the session well and did everything the team wanted him to do ahead of Tuesday's start.

David Price continues to progress in his recovery from a left elbow strain. Price threw out to 120 feet in long toss on Saturday in what Farrell termed as a "consistent work day for him." The lefty is expected to throw his first bullpen session since the injury on Monday in Detroit.

* RedSox.com

Statcast of the Day: 2 dazzling grabs by JBJ

Ian Browne

DETROIT -- Jackie Bradley Jr. already had made two spectacular catches before he briefly scared the undermanned Red Sox by going down in a heap while rounding first base after a flyout in the top of the ninth inning on Saturday.

But after the 4-1 loss to the Tigers, Bradley said he simply hyperextended his right knee after the awkward fall and he has every expectation of starting on Sunday.

"That's what I'm thinking," said Bradley. "I'm built like Secretariat. It's all good."

Bradley is gliding around the outfield like a great racehorse and has made at least one standout play in all four games the Red Sox have played this season.

"Oh man, it's a joke," said Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia. "He's making plays that I don't know if anybody else can make. It's pretty special, the routes he's taking and the way he's getting the ball."

You don't have to tell Detroit's . Bradley took two hits away from him in this one. In the bottom of the third, Castellanos hit a flare into left-center and Bradley raced in to make a diving catch. According to Statcast™, the 4-star grab had a Catch Probability of 38 percent. Bradley's route was nearly perfect, as he traveled 61 feet for a play that required 59 feet.

"I'm just trying to make plays. I want to make the outs however I make them --- that's all that matters," Bradley said.

In the eighth, Bradley robbed Castellanos in even more spectacular fashion, racing back to deep right- center and making a leaping catch against the wall. That one was also 4 stars, and had a catch probability of 46 percent. The hit probability for Castellanos on that deep drive was 88 percent. Bradley ran 117 feet to make the play, which is tied with a catch he made last June for the second-most ground he's covered to catch a ball in the Statcast™ Era. His top distance was 125 feet vs. Toronto on May 27, 2016.

Bradley's day of two 4-star plays is fairly rare. There were only 20 instances last season (by 19 different players) in which a player made two 4-star plays in the same game.

"He's unbelievable," said Tigers catcher James McCann. "He made a couple nice plays, but that play he made on Castellanos in the eighth, that was impressive. For me, he's a Gold Glover. He's special out there."

Bradley hasn't won a yet in his career, but he looks primed to change that by November.

"He's been exceptional in center field -- the range that he's covering, the ground he's covering ... whether it's coming in on balls or going back deep in the corners," said Red Sox manager John Farrell. "He makes a play in Fenway the other day that I don't know how he's able to stop in one stride like he does, but he's just an exceptional center fielder."

If Bradley can point to one thing he's doing better this season, it is first-step quickness. "I've worked on it," said Bradley. "Definitely been working on first step. I just feel like I'm getting to the ball more powerfully. Other than that, I don't know if I'm better. I've just happened to make some good plays so far."

E-Rod dinged by HRs as Red Sox fall to Tigers

Jason Beck and Ian Browne

DETROIT -- Jose Iglesias' two RBIs and James McCann's second home run in as many days supported a healthy Jordan Zimmermann and a redemptive Tigers bullpen, sending Detroit to its second straight win over Boston with a 4-1 decision Saturday at Comerica Park.

One day after a crazy eighth inning erased what had been a four-run Tigers lead, this one was fairly decisive. Zimmermann, whose return from an injury-plagued 2016 is seen as crucial to Detroit's fortunes, gave up some hard-hit outs early but retired nine of the final 10 batters he faced in his six-inning outing for his first win since last June 14. Jackie Bradley Jr. hit a 413-foot sacrifice fly -- as projected by Statcast™ -- to center to account for the lone Red Sox run in the second.

"It was a really tough year for me last year, battling injuries," Zimmermann said. "To finally have a fresh start and a healthy spring, to come in the first game and do this, it means a lot, and I'm extremely happy."

Boston starter Eduardo Rodriguez avoided damage to Detroit's big bats but fell victim to two solo homers and two doubles against the bottom third of the batting order. Iglesias' 433-foot homer opened the scoring in the third, and McCann hit a 431-foot drive to left field in the fourth. JaCoby Jones and Iglesias hit back- to-back doubles -- Iglesias' driving in the Tigers' third run -- before Ian Kinsler singled home Iglesias.

The Red Sox again played short-handed, as Mookie Betts and Hanley Ramirez were sidelined with illness and shortstop Xander Bogaerts spent the second of his three days on the bereavement list.

"It's tough," said Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia. "We've got to try to find a way to get everybody back and get over this little bug."

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED Zimmermann escapes bases-loaded jam: Zimmermann endured some hard contact before he settled down, but his biggest out came in the third inning after a Christian Vazquez double, Brock Holt walk and Pedroia single. Up came Andrew Benintendi, who fell into an 0-2 hole before hitting a grounder to the right side that Kinsler and Iglesias turned into an inning-ending double play.

"Right there, everything's pretty much got to be perfect," Kinsler said. "The catch, the feed, Iglesias' catch and throw to first was right on the money for [Miguel Cabrera] to be able to stretch. I think we beat him by half a step, so it was a huge play."

Bullpen comes through: A day after three Tigers relievers pitched in a five-run eighth inning, two Tigers relievers protecting a three-run lead needed key outs with the potential tying run at the plate. Shane Greene coaxed a called third strike at the knees on Holt to end the seventh, then Kyle Ryan -- back from paternity leave -- induced an inning-ending double play from Pablo Sandoval, whose home run off Francisco Rodriguez briefly put Boston in front on Friday, in the eighth.

"I don't know where those changeups came from," Ryan said of his approach to Sandoval, "but they worked. It worked nicely."

BRADLEY'S LATEST SENSATIONAL GRABS Bradley kept his streak alive and has now made at least one standout play in all four games this season. In Saturday's game, he raced in to make a diving catch against Nicholas Castellanos. According to Statcast™, the 4-star grab had a Catch Probability of 38 percent. Bradley's route was nearly perfect, as he traveled 61 feet for a play that required 59 feet. It was Bradley's third four-star catch in four games. In the eighth, Bradley robbed Castellanos in even more spectacular fashion, racing back to deep right-center and making a leaping catch against the wall.That one was also 4 stars, and had a catch probability of 46 percent.

QUOTABLE "It's not like we can go home and quit. We've got games to play, man. We've got a job to do, and we're going to try to do it the best we can." -- Pedroia, on the Red Sox dealing with so many missing players.

SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS Justin Wilson's Saturday was just his second in 279 career appearances. They've both come against the Red Sox. The other one was July 27 of last year at Fenway Park.

WHAT'S NEXT Red Sox: Right-hander Rick Porcello will make his 93rd career appearance at Comerica Park (including postseason) when he starts Sunday's 1:10 p.m. ET game against the Tigers. Porcello pitched for Detroit from 2009-15 and broke through with the Red Sox last season en route to winning the American League's Cy Young Award.

Tigers: After an extra wait thanks to rainouts and dead arm, Daniel Norris makes his first start of the season Sunday, hoping to build off his early momentum in Spring Training. He's 0-2 with an 8.31 ERA lifetime against Boston.

Flu to keep Hanley in Boston; Kelly sent to hotel

Ian Browne

DETROIT -- Another day, another flu for the Red Sox.

Reliever Joe Kelly is the latest to be impacted by an illness that has spread around the clubhouse in recent weeks, and the righty was sent back to the team hotel prior to Saturday's 4-1 loss to the Tigers.

Also, designated hitter Hanley Ramirez tested positive for influenza and missed his second straight game on Saturday, and it seems unlikely he will be cleared to fly to Detroit for the four-game series that concludes Monday afternoon.

"He's dealing with a pretty high-grade fever, so his status for this entire series is questionable," said Red Sox manager John Farrell.

The good news is that star right fielder Mookie Betts was cleared to fly to Detroit on Saturday morning and could be back in the lineup by Sunday.

By the mid-innings of Saturday's game, left fielder Andrew Benintendi was vomiting. He was able to stay in the game and the Red Sox can only hope he doesn't have the full-blown flu that is plaguing Ramirez and reliever Robbie Ross Jr.

According to Farrell, there are three offshoots of the illness being spread around the team.

"One's a respiratory one, one's flu-like symptoms, and one is the full-blown flu," Farrell said.

Not even the team's broadcasters are safe. In the middle of Saturday's game, NESN play-by-play man Dave O'Brien had to leave the ballpark. For a brief spurt, color analyst Jerry Remy took over play-by-play duties. The network had studio host Tom Caron do play-by-play remotely from NESN headquarters for the final few innings.

It has been kind of a surreal time around the Red Sox, and it has been going on for close to two weeks. "It's not like we can go home and quit," said Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia. "We've got games to play, man. We've got a job to do, and we're going to try to do it the best we can."

The combination of the flu and two players (shortstop Xander Bogaerts and pitcher Matt Barnes) being on the bereavement list has created a challenging roster situation for the four-game series in Detroit, which started with two straight defeats.

"Show up and give me a list of who's available and who's not," said Farrell. "There's really no other way to go about it."

The Red Sox's medical staff has done everything possible to limit the spreading of the flu, quarantining several players and staff members over the last couple of weeks, and doing as much disinfecting as possible in the clubhouse.

"We have been since Spring Training," said Farrell. "We've removed people to quarantine them, and yet this hasn't been able to be contained from one certain group to another or a couple of guys. Barnes is eligible to return to action on Sunday and Bogaerts will likely be back at shortstop for Monday's series finale.

Center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr., who made two more highlight-reel plays on Saturday that Statcast™ rates as 4-star catches, raised some eyebrows when he coughed in the middle of his postgame interview.

But fear not, Bradley said. "I don't get sick," Bradley said. "It's just a cough."

* ESPNBoston.com

Red Sox play-by-play announcer leaves in middle of game due to flu

Scott Lauber

DETROIT -- The flu bug that has run through the Boston Red Sox's clubhouse for the past two weeks reached the broadcast booth here Saturday.

Dave O'Brien, the play-by-play announcer for New England Sports Network, got sick midway through the Red Sox's 4-1 loss to the Detroit Tigers and left Comerica Park. NESN studio host Tom Caron took over play-by-play duties remotely from the network's studios.

In addition to O'Brien, outfielder Andrew Benintendi was throwing up in the sixth inning Saturday, but he stayed in the game; the Red Sox are hopeful he might avoid the flu.

The flu has claimed several victims, beginning last week with Red Sox first baseman Mitch Moreland and a few members of the coaching staff. Right fielder Mookie Betts, who missed three consecutive games, rejoined the team here Saturday, but designated hitter Hanley Ramirez is still back in Boston after testing positive for influenza.

Lefty reliever Robbie Ross Jr. was placed on the disabled list after testing positive for the flu. Fellow reliever Joe Kelly, who pitched in the eighth inning Friday, remained at the team's hotel Saturday after being hit by the illness.

"This hasn't been able to be contained from one certain group to another or a couple of guys," manager John Farrell said. "There's three different things that are going around -- one's a respiratory one, one's flu- like symptoms and one is the full-blown flu."

Farrell said most players were vaccinated for the flu in the fall, and the team has done its best to quarantine players who have gotten sick. But all the precautions haven't stopped the flu from spreading.

The Red Sox have also been without starting shortstop Xander Bogaerts and reliever Matt Barnes, who are both on bereavement leave. Barnes returns Sunday, Bogaerts on Monday.

Outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. hyperextended his right knee in the ninth inning Saturday, but he said he expects to play Sunday.

* The Associated Press

Boston Red Sox fall to Jordan Zimmermann, Detroit Tigers 4-1

DETROIT (AP) -- Jordan Zimmermann pitched six solid innings, and Jose Iglesias and James McCann both homered for Detroit, helping the Tigers to a 4-1 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Saturday.

Zimmermann (1-0) labored early but allowed only one run and four hits. The right-hander struggled last season amid neck problems, and the Tigers are hoping for big things from him in 2017.

Boston led 1-0 when Iglesias tied it in the third with a solo shot to left. McCann's homer in the fifth put Detroit up 2-1, and the Tigers added two more runs that inning.

Eduardo Rodriguez (0-1) allowed four runs and five hits in five innings.

Justin Wilson pitched a perfect ninth for the Tigers for his first save of the season and second of his career. Francisco Rodriguez, the regular closer, got four outs the previous day.

Zimmermann allowed a sacrifice fly by Jackie Bradley Jr. in the second, and the Red Sox loaded the bases with one out in the third. That rally ended when Andrew Benintendi grounded into a double play, and Zimmermann was able to make it through the middle innings fairly comfortably.

After McCann's homer gave the Tigers the lead, Iglesias added an RBI double in the fifth and scored on Ian Kinsler's single.

Bradley made a spectacular play in the eighth on a drive by Nicholas Castellanos, racing over to right- center field and catching the ball before slamming into the wall.

In the ninth, Bradley appeared hurt when he hit a flyout to left, rounded first and went down holding his right knee. He was eventually able to walk off the field and seemed OK.

The Red Sox have had several players out sick recently. Hanley Ramirez and Mookie Betts didn't play Saturday.

SMASH

Boston's Pablo Sandoval hit a foul ball in the second inning that shattered a glass barrier at the front of the upper deck behind home plate. Some debris fell into the lower seating area, but nobody appeared hurt.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Red Sox: LHP David Price (elbow strain) threw out to 120 feet in what Boston manager John Farrell described as "another consistent work day." ... LHP Drew Pomeranz (forearm strain) remains on track to start Tuesday against Baltimore.

Tigers: Manager Brad Ausmus said OF J.D. Martinez (sprained right foot) was able to swing Friday.

UP NEXT

Red Sox: RHP Rick Porcello (1-0) takes the mound against his former team when he faces Detroit on Sunday.

Tigers: LHP Daniel Norris makes his first start of the season.

* The Detroit Free Press

Bottom of the order, led by Iglesias, powers Tigers past Red Sox, 4-1

Anthony Fenech

At a time in which the mighty Miguel Cabrera remains hitless and the middle of the Detroit Tigers’ batting order is powerless, it’s the bottom third of the lineup that’s picking up the slack.

Throughout the first four games of the season, the No. 7-9 hitters – consisting of a second-year catcher, a rookie centerfielder and a light-hitting shortstop – have put runs on the board.

And so it was Saturday afternoon at Comerica Park, when, facing a left-handed pitcher, the bottom third of the lineup held up their end of the bargain once again.

“They’ve kind of been doing it all season,” Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said, quickly noting the season is only four games old. “The bottom of the lineup has contributed quite a bit offensively.”

Jose Iglesias hit his first home run of the season, James McCann hit his second, and the Tigers’ No. 7-9 hitters reached base six times in eight plate appearances – accounting for all of the runs – to kick-start the offense in a 4-1 win over the Boston Red Sox.

Box score After righty Jordan Zimmermann allowed an early run, Iglesias evened the score with an estimated 432- foot home run to leftfield in the third inning.

Asked if he had ever hit a ball that far, Iglesias shook his head.

“I hit the ball really well,” he said. “I feel even better that it tied the game right there.”

Zimmermann threw six innings in his first start, allowing only four hits and the one run. He struck out three, walked one and left with the lead after an offensive eruption in the bottom of the fifth inning.

In that frame, McCann hit his second home run in as many days to take the lead, a no-doubter to leftfield.

“I got a couple of pitches I could handle and put a good swing on it,” he said.

Boston lefty Eduardo Rodriguez, solid early, began to struggle after the bomb.

JaCoby Jones and Iglesias followed with back-to-back doubles and Ian Kinsler hit a RBI single to lengthen a lead that the Tigers’ bullpen would not blow.

In relief of Zimmermann, righty Shane Greene, lefty Kyle Ryan – who endured a hectic day of travel back from Florida, where he spent the past few days on the paternity list – and lefty Justin Wilson threw scoreless innings.

“Good results," Ausmus said. "(Greene) got through it and so did Kyle Ryan. All in all, a much better day for the bullpen from yesterday, and a good one.”

It was an all-around effort from the Tigers, who defensively, turned two double plays to thwart Red Sox threats. With the bases loaded in the third inning, rookie Andrew Benintendi grounded into the 5-6-3 variety. With two on in the eighth inning, Pablo Sandoval grounded into the 6-4-3 variety.

“Maybe turning points in the game,” Ausmus said.

Cabrera – who has yet to contribute offensively, save a few walks – made a tough play to keep the double play in order in the eighth, taking a top-spinning groundball towards the groin area and eliminating the lead runner at second base.

With Francisco Rodriguez unavailable after throwing 1 1/3 innings Friday, Wilson picked up the save with a three-up, three-down ninth inning.

With the win, the Tigers took care of business for the second straight day without their offense in mid- season form, getting big contributions from the bottom of the order, beginning with Iglesias.

“His bat has been quiet since the season started, but he got a hold of one today,” Ausmus said. “I don’t know if I’ve ever seen him hit a ball that far.”