BOSTON — Rookie southpaw Bobby Poyner has a hamstring issue and is on the 10-day disabled list. Rookie right-hander Marcus Walden was recalled from Pawtucket to take Poyner’s spot on the roster. Poyner had reported some hamstring problems in Florida, manager Alex Cora said.
The lefty worked two innings in relief of Price Wednesday night and the Red Sox are strapped for pitching because the bullpen [...]
BOSTON — Rookie southpaw Bobby Poyner has a hamstring issue and is on the 10-day disabled list. Rookie right-hander Marcus Walden was recalled from Pawtucket to take Poyner’s spot on the roster. Poyner had reported some hamstring problems in Florida, manager Alex Cora said.
The lefty worked two innings in relief of Price Wednesday night and the Red Sox are strapped for pitching because the bullpen worked eight innings in that game. Poyner’s injury was, of course, purely coincidental with the need for relief help.
Rotation projection
The Orioles are up next as the homestand continues. Baltimore arrives in town for a game at 7:10 on Friday night and departs after the morning game on Patriots Day.
Because of David Price’s shortened start, the Red Sox projected rotation for the series is not entirely set. Friday’s pitching matchup is Eduardo Rodriguez vs. Chris Tillman, whose earned run averages add up to 16.04 so far in 2018.
The Orioles are Rodriguez’ original organization. He has made 10 career starts versus Baltimore and is 3-5 with a 4.67 ERA.
Rare rookie matchup
The Red Sox and Yankees have been playing each other for 115 years, but this season marks merely the third time that both teams are employing rookie managers — Cora for Boston, Aaron Boone for New York.
Before this, it also happened in 1992 when Butch Hobson made his debut for the Red Sox and Buck Showalter for the Yankees. They also opposed each other on opening day that season. The only other time was 1930 with Heinie Wagner managing Boston, Bob Shawkey managing New York.
Oddly, 1930 was the only season in which either was a big-league manager.
He's a bomber
Gary Sanchez headed into last night with 12 career home runs off Red Sox pitching, the most by any Yankees opponent. He had 120 at-bats against Boston, so was averaging one HR every 10 ab-bats. Some comparables from other opposing hitters who historically feasted on Sox pitching are Babe Ruth, one every 14.3; Mickey Mantle, one every 17.5; and Harmon Killebrew, one every 15.
Sanchez’ has hit seven homers in Fenway Park and is already close to being on the list of top ten active players with most homers here. That list is led by Edwin Encarnacion with 17, although Jose Bautista has 26 and could return to baseball at some time this season.
Diamond dust
Andrew Benintendi returned to the starting in left field after a night off while Brock Holt was back as Boston’s starting shortstop for the third straight night. Sandy Leon got his third start of the year at catcher. … The teams do not meet again until May 8 when they have a brief two-game series at Yankee Stadium. … Going into Thursday's game, Boston was 7 for 14 (.500) with 19 RBI with the bases loaded. That includes three homers and a double. Last year, the Sox hit .288 with the bases full and had 12 extra base hits, all doubles. The 2016 team batted just .218 with the bases full.