RED SOX JOURNAL: Manager lauds Bradley Jr.’s stand

BOSTON — The Red Sox played their first doubleheader of the season on Friday.

It’s noteworthy in a year in which COVID-19 has forced a host of postponements across baseball. No Boston player or staff member has tested positive for the virus since prior to Summer Camp in July.

Last Thursday’s Red Sox-Blue Jays went uncontested for a different reason. Boston’s players elected to stand with Jackie Bradley Jr. and protest for social [...]

BOSTON — The Red Sox played their first doubleheader of the season on Friday.

It’s noteworthy in a year in which COVID-19 has forced a host of postponements across baseball. No Boston player or staff member has tested positive for the virus since prior to Summer Camp in July.

Last Thursday’s Red Sox-Blue Jays went uncontested for a different reason. Boston’s players elected to stand with Jackie Bradley Jr. and protest for social justice and racial equality. The police shooting of Jacob Blake in Wisconsin touched off action by athletes in the NBA, WNBA, MLS and Major League Baseball.

"I appreciate (Bradley) and what he’s done," Red Sox manager Ron Roenicke said. "I feel it’s a little unfair to him because he’s the only Black player (on the Red Sox roster) that he’s been in the spotlight more and put in a position that he’s probably not as comfortable with. I think he’s done a fantastic job in still relaying the message and the concerns that he has.

"Knowing his platform and where he is right now, he’s the guy. He feels he has to come out and say the things he wants to say. Not just to you guys — also to the team. And he’s conveyed that when we get together. He’s conveyed it very well."

Boston dropped the opener by an 8-7 count and took the field as the visiting team for the nightcap. It was Toronto’s home game at Sahlen Field that was technically being played over seven innings. Alex Verdugo became the first Red Sox player to bat first in a game since Fenway Park opened its doors in 1912.

Boston will play a virus-related doubleheader early next week. The Red Sox had their two-game series against the Phillies rescheduled to 14 innings on Tuesday. Boston will enjoy Monday and Wednesday off as a result.

"With the doubleheader, I’m just trying to get everybody in there today," Roenicke said. "With the doubleheader again with Philly, try to get everybody in there in those two games."

Injury updates

Nathan Eovaldi will not pitch this weekend and has no date for his next start.

The right-hander has thrown a pair of bullpen sessions since being placed on the 10-day injured list with a right calf strain.

Eovaldi made his last start on Aug. 20 in a 7-1 victory at the Orioles. He’s on the IL for the fifth time in the last five years, with the first four stints due to right elbow injuries.

"He feels like he’s getting close," Roenicke said. "But because we’re still testing him and we’re still trying to get to the point that we know when we put him out there he’s going to be right, it’s been a lot longer than we hoped for. I know he’s a little frustrated with it."

Left-hander Matt Hall was summoned to serve as the roster’s 29th man for Friday’s doubleheader. Boston had yet to name starters for Saturday or Sunday. Colten Brewer (right middle finger strain) is also on the IL after making four starts.

Andrew Benintendi has yet to resume baseball activities.

The Red Sox outfielder has progressed to running on a treadmill, but he still seems a long way from returning at any point over the final 20 games. Benintendi was placed on the 10-day injured list with a strained right rib cage on Aug. 12.

"Rotation is still not there," Roenicke said. "He still has pain. But at least I see progress with him running and feeling good about where he’s headed."

Roenicke indicated the club will make a decision on Benintendi with about two weeks remaining in the season. That timeline would allow until the end of next week for Benintendi to recover.

Internal housekeeping

ESPN reported on Friday that the Red Sox will not renew the contracts of nine baseball operations employees.

Boston will part with four in professional scouting, three in player development and two in amateur scouting. ESPN described the decisions as "pretty normal turnover" under a new executive like chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom.

The Red Sox told employees in late May there would be no layoffs or furloughs in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its accompanying financial pressures. Salary cuts were instituted for employees with a salary of more than $50,000.

bkoch@providencejournal.com

On Twitter: @BillKoch25