RED SOX NOTEBOOK: Remy says he'll be back

NESN broadcaster Jerry Remy, who again is battling cancer, plans to return next season.

BOSTON -- Jerry Remy is not retiring.

The former Red Sox infielder and longtime broadcaster on NESN made that crystal clear prior to the nightcap of Wednesday’s doubleheader with Baltimore.

But Remy is at the stage of his life where “you start thinking about your mortality.” The 65-year-old is battling another recurrence of lung cancer and just finished a four-week course of radiation treatment.

“I’m not ready to go anywhere,” Remy said. “I think that’s the biggest thing. I’ve got grandchildren who I want to see grow up. I still want to do my job.”

How and when he does that job will change as early as 2019. Remy’s doctors have requested that he no longer travel with the team. His work will be restricted to select home games at Fenway Park, something he’ll discuss with the station and team personnel. The current 115-game schedule Remy is contracted to work for NESN will be lessened.

“I’ve got to look at a number that I can work with and they can work with,” Remy said. “The days of doing all the games are long gone. The days of doing 115 are also gone. The days of going on the road are gone.

“The doctors don’t want me going on the road. But I think there will still be a place for me to do a good number of games.”

Remy returned to the airwaves for a brief cameo Wednesday as a way of saying thanks to his supporters. One of the highlights of his day, Remy said, is when the mail delivery truck arrives at his suburban Massachusetts home. Remy and his wife, Phoebe, have received best wishes from children, retirees and everyone in between.

“I figured the only way I could possibly answer the people is by going on TV and thanking them personally for that,” Remy said. “Phoebe and I started to read all the letters – we’ve read every single one that’s come in – and we can’t answer them. It’s impossible.”

Remy underwent intensive treatment in 2017, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. His current course has been a little less intense, with doctors removing part of the tumor and attempting to develop a vaccine that will keep it from returning in the same location. Remy appeared tan and betrayed no weakness in his voice during his 10-minute session with assembled media.

Replacement shines: Eduardo Nunez has picked the wrong time to suffer an injury for the second straight season.

The third baseman is still working his way back from left hamstring soreness, and Rafael Devers drove in six runs in the opening, 19-3 blowout of the Orioles on Wednesday. Devers also notched his second career two-homer game and could have the inside track on the hot corner in the upcoming postseason.

“He should be fine,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “As far as his swing, I’m not worried about it. I’m just worried about the repetitions in the infield.”

Nunez ran sprints in right field between games of the doubleheader. He hasn’t played since last Wednesday at Yankee Stadium and missed all but one at-bat of the postseason last year after suffering a right knee injury. Nunez had hit in six straight and 16 of his last 20 dating to Aug. 21, compiling a slash line of .306/.320/.500 with eight extra-base hits.

Early end: Boston has shut down relief pitcher Tyler Thornburg for the season.

The right-hander appeared in 25 games for the Red Sox after missing all of 2017 due to right shoulder surgery. Doctors attempted to address Thornburg’s thoracic outlet syndrome, something that was discovered after spring training last season.

“We’re happy with everything he did throughout the season and getting to the point where he’s competing at this level,” Cora said. “As far as command, it wasn’t there. He wasn’t able to bounce back.”

Thornburg pitched to a 5.63 earned-run average and was tagged for six home runs in 24 appearances. His trade from Milwaukee following the 2016 season has proven to be a failure for Boston to this point. Third baseman Travis Shaw has cracked 62 home runs in 292 games and posted an OPS of at least .825 in each season for the Brewers, who are threatening to reach the National League playoffs.