Zack Godley expected to make Red Sox debut Monday

BOSTON --- Whether it ultimately fell on Sunday or Monday, Zack Godley was ready to make his Red Sox debut.

Boston stayed away from the right-hander during the series finale with the Orioles and will feature him in the first of two games with the Mets.

Godley was recalled from the alternate Summer Camp site at Pawtucket on Sunday. Dylan Covey was optioned two McCoy Stadium in the corresponding move after throwing two innings in his own Red Sox debut on Saturday. [...]

BOSTON --- Whether it ultimately fell on Sunday or Monday, Zack Godley was ready to make his Red Sox debut.

Boston stayed away from the right-hander during the series finale with the Orioles and will feature him in the first of two games with the Mets.

Godley was recalled from the alternate Summer Camp site at Pawtucket on Sunday. Dylan Covey was optioned two McCoy Stadium in the corresponding move after throwing two innings in his own Red Sox debut on Saturday.

"I’m looking forward to any opportunity I can get to pitch, whether it’s starting or out of the bullpen," Godley said. "Just excited to be able to try to help this team."

Godley worked twice for Boston during its preparation for Opening Day on Friday. He threw multiple innings in an intrasquad contest and then logged three scoreless frames in Wednesday’s exhibition game against the Blue Jays.

"He’s probably going to pitch somewhere, whether it’s starting or coming in as kind of an opener," Red Sox manager Ron Roenicke said. "But it kind of also has to do with what happens in today’s game – whether he starts or whether he comes in for the opener."

Godley will indeed occupy the bulk role Monday night. Left-hander Josh Osich is expected to start and work a limited number of outs.

Godley was in camp with the Tigers before being released. He drove from Detroit to his South Carolina home and spent one day there before agreeing to a deal with the Red Sox. Godley was barely off his flight when he took the mound here for the first time.

"It was nice to get out there and get off the mound and get that rust off, and then turn around and throw the way I did against the Blue Jays," Godley said. "That was nice."

Godley debuted with the Diamondbacks five years ago and enjoyed his most productive seasons with the club in 2017 and 2018. He posted a 3.37 earned-run average to help Arizona reach the National League playoffs in 2017 and struck out 185 across 178 1/3 innings in 2018. Current Boston bench coach Jerry Narron served in the same capacity with Arizona during that time.

"Jerry is an amazing person," Godley said. "He’s one of the best staff guys I’ve ever been around."

Roenicke said left-hander Matt Hall will start Tuesday against New York. The Red Sox are unlikely to feature an opener ahead of Hall and will attempt to piece together multiple innings behind him.

bkoch@providencejournal.com

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