The Red Sox told reporters today that infielder Marco Hernandez will miss the remainder of Spring Training after incurring a setback in his rehab from last year’s shoulder surgery (via MassLive.com’s Jen McCaffrey). Hernandez, who initially went under the knife late last May, went back to Boston for a second procedure this week after doctors determined that he needed to have the pins that were inserted into his shoulder during that initial operation removed. Manager Alex Cora said that Hernandez’s shoulder was feeling abnormally weak and sore following his spring workouts, which prompted the followup exam. There’s no timetable on his return at present.
- Evan Drellich of NBC Sports Boston argues that while the Red Sox could benefit from a year of carrying the out-of-options Blake Swihart as a utility player, they may not ever get a higher return for him in a trade than they would this spring. Other clubs still view Swihart as a viable catching option, he notes, whereas a year of scarce opportunities behind the plate thanks to the presence of Christian Vazquez and Sandy Leon could change that. The Sox seem to have three players for two bench spots — Brock Holt, Deven Marrero and Swihart, with the latter each being out of minor league options. On the flip side of the coin, one could also argue that a full year of production at the big league level, even in a part-time role. It also seems feasible that Sandy Leon could see his role diminish if his 2017 struggles at the plate carry over into the 2018 season.
- Rays GM Erik Neander admitted to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times that the decision to designate Corey Dickerson for assignment was “very difficult and something he didn’t deserve in that way.” However, the presence of so many corner options on the market were dragging out the Rays’ efforts to trade him, and the DFA served as a means of putting a clock on the process for interested trade parties, which ultimately accelerated the process. “With the market and how many guys were out there, we felt that the best way to try to accomplish something was to put a timer on it and expedite the process,” said Neander.
- The Orioles are dealing with some early injuries in camp, writes MASNsports.com’s Roch Kubatko. Most notable is that of Jonathan Schoop, who was scratched from today’s lineup due to bursitis in his left elbow and is listed as day-to-day. The injury isn’t characterized as serious, but Kubatko notes that it underscores the team’s need to have a strong utility infielder on hand. With that in mind, Kubatko notes that Baltimore still plans to monitor the waiver wire and could continue to be active in picking up infield options in that manner. Kubatko also writes that righty Miguel Castro is suffering from patellar tendinitis in both knees and possibly some back soreness. He won’t make his first scheduled start of the spring. Castro is among the many internal candidates to fill in the fifth spot in the Baltimore rotation.
tgovey
Marrero’s a very good defender but his bat just can’t hang in the majors. I’d hate to lose Swihart’s potential for a guy who can’t hit.
gibba192471
Swihart can’t hit either. Guy is a scrub!
mikeyank55
Maybe they can make up an injury and put him to the DL—-then send him to Pawtucket and sentence him to a season there. It’s an MO that they have used previously to skirt the rules.
thegreatcerealfamine
Maybe he and Rusney could room together…
deweybelongsinthehall
Clarifications are needed. Marrero hit lefties very well last year and Sweihart was injured a long time. Yankee fans should simply comment on their own team. Almost getting to the WS is like being almost pregnant. The Sox won the. division the last two years but finished last three out of the previous year as. Yet they won the WS in 2013. Truth be told, none of it matters in 2018. People just enjoy the coming season and remember It’s 162 games.
thegreatcerealfamine
dewey are you trying to say you’ve never commented on Yankees articles?
Bruin1012
And Mikeyank the clown speaks as usual it’s garbage. Let’s see how the Blake Swihart thing plays out he is going to get a lot of pt in Spring to show he is healthy and deserves a spot. The guy has been injured the last two years let’s see what he does this spring and not crucify the guy for being injured.
deweybelongsinthehall
Objective comments, yes. Biased BS, I hope not. In addition to pushing Evans for the hall, I also push Munson.
mikeyank55
I know that the truth hurts you boys. Your mommy will give you some ice cream after you she puta a band aid on your injury.
And while commenting on things that actually happened on your dream team in its recent past, you must be red faced at the Apple Watch cheating scandal. Especially since your beloved Peedy was one of the Central Chester’s, huh?
User 4245925809
Every time you make a post it shows what au ultra biased fan you are.
Even watch other games when the NYY not playing? MiLB games occasionally? Try it sometime. Maybe realize more to the game than just 1 team which exists.
jh8913
It’s like almost being pregnant???
jh8913
That’s the strangest comparison I’ve ever heard
Bruin1012
Blah blah blah blah blah blah garbage from Mikey go back under the bridge you came from Troll.
bosox2004
Should have traded him when he had value
bradthebluefish
Agreed. No reason to have both Vazquez and Swihart. One of them should have been traded a long time ago.
harry hood
agreed.
Aoe3
If Maile doesnt work out maybe the Jays can use Swihart as backup.
nowheredan
Are you suggesting there’s a scenario that Maile works out?
ducksnort69
Yeah, Maile is fine as temporary backup to stash in AAA, but working out in any larger sense…
ellisburks
Yeah cause the Sox and Jays are known for inter division trades so they make their direct competition better.
jdgoat
There was the Farrell trade, but you could argue that actually made Boston worse.
dave13
World Series and 2 straight divisional titles. Yeah he really killed Boston smh
hawkny11
No doubt about it…Toronto won that deal….
66TheNumberOfTheBest
Swapping out the right handed bats, Freese at 3B and McCutchen in CF, for left handed bats, Moran and Dickerson, could end up being a big difference for the Pirates.
They had a really unbalanced lineup last year, heavy with R bats, which makes no sense given the layout of PNC Park.
dcahen
Butch779988 – I agree, I’m enthused about the season upcoming. I wish 2 or 3 of Rodriguez, Freese, Luplow, Harrison, Moroff, Frazier, & Osuna were more established in their positions or gone because I don’t trust Hurdle to dicker with the line up every day.
dcahen
My bad, I was quoting forwhomjoshbelltolls, not Butch779988
butch779988
As long as Holt is not on the roster I’m good with Swihart and Marrero, who have at least some tools. Holt’s only tool is he plays multiple positions at below average levels.
william-2
Have to disagree. Holts value is that he plays at about league average defensively, and offensively at multiple positions, which is actually pretty rare. He was never, and will never be a threat to opposing team (no pitchers shaking their knees), but over a full season, he is extremely valuable to any team as a viable backup if healthy. The question I would pose is this. Is Marrero league average at even his primary position? Would you rather have Marrero as your fill in at multiple positions over Holt? That is their role.
Cuso
Swihart’s trade value: “Traded for a washing machine”
william-2
I don’t see how Marrero is still considered a viable option. My impression has always been, that if he is getting any significant time, we are in big trouble, and way less deep then we need to be in the system.
User 4245925809
My opinion of the 2012 sox draft hasn’t changed since it happened.. One of the worst in the john henry era.
InPolesWeTrust
Swihart could blossom this year to a more potent offensive version of Holt. As Butchie said above, he plays at below average levels, giving Swihart Holt’s ABs could really allows him an opportunity to show that 2015 wasn’t a fluke and give both the club and himself more avenues to find the field…
InPolesWeTrust
Wow, that’s a nice run sentence there…haha
3rdStrikeLooking
Wow. Another run on sentence.
kingken67
It’s feasible that Leon’s role could diminish if his offensive struggles continue? How about it’s likely his role WILL diminish as his offensive struggles continue. After all, looking at his career his 2016 numbers are the outlier not his numbers from last year.
cxcx
“On the flip side of the coin, one could also argue that a full year of production at the big league level, even in a part-time role.”
This isn’t much of a sentence.
Bocephus
Ok Sox fans what would you expect as a return for Swihart?
bosox90
Not much, I disagree with the article saying now is the time to trade him. I still have faith he can be a good producer, but he’s an awkward fit into the lineup. His bat would potentially be great at catcher, but underwhelming at 1B. I think someday he’ll be valuable MLB regular, but that will most likely be on some type of rebuilding team.
Bocephus
He’s probably destined to be a career bench player.
gibba192471
Swihart is garbage, get rid of him along with and Marrero and keep Holt!
baseball10
Is Swihart possibly the most overrated player in the history of the game? Red Sox ppl continue to think he has value and is going to be a superstar. Time to give it up!
bosox90
I literally haven’t seen a single person boasting him as a can’t-miss guy anymore. Saying he has no value or that the Red Sox should give up on him is downright silly. He’s flashed potential, a freak injury in the middle of that didn’t help. I don’t think he’s the second coming or anything, but I have faith he can still provide value to an MLB roster.
gomerhodge71
Disagree. Nobody ever said he was the second coming of Johnny Bench. They initially put him on a par with Vasquez. John Farrell damaged his career by sticking him in the outfield. Cora will have more common sense than that.
BSPORT
Isn’t anybody worried about Hernandez? He may not be back for a while still.
Backatitagain
The Bosox may be interested in trading Blake Swihart and Josh Tobias to Atlanta for Arodys Vizcaino (Braves Closer) and Kade Scivique (NR AAA catcher).
thecoffinnail
I think the Sox say no to that. Vizcaino is making $3.8 million this year and will get another raise next year. That is too much for a pitcher that has had 1 (almost) full season. He would also be the 5/6th best pitcher in a very deep Sox Pen..
dust44
Sometimes it is good to trade prospects when they r a hot commodity. Surprised he wasn’t shipped out when trader Dave showed up to gut there system like he always does.
There’s always the few that don’t make it that r “top prospects”. But catchers r really hard to find. So I’m sure that had a lot to do with them holding onto a kid at a tough spot to find