CHICAGO — With Hanley Ramirez struggling in left field, the Boston Red Sox have begun working the former shortstop out at first base looking ahead to the 2016 season.
Several hours before Tuesday night’s game against the Chicago White Sox, Ramirez worked out with infield coach Brian Butterfield and teammate David Ortiz. Ramirez seemed very receptive to the move in speaking with reporters.
“I was thinking, ‘Yeah we’re a way better team with me on first and with Jackie (Bradley Jr.) and Mookie (Betts) and (Rusney Castillo) in the outfield,” Ramirez said. “Hopefully, we can do it and they can keep doing what they’re doing — playing great outfield and keep hitting — because we’re going to need that.”
Ramirez played left field Tuesday night, and that’s where he’ll stay until further notice.
“We just thought it was something that was a possibility for down the road,” interim manager Torey Lovullo said. “Nothing is imminent. We just wanted to see how it looked. We sat down with Hanley, and he bought in. The best thing about it was Hanley said he’ll do anything if it helps this ballclub.
“The thing about Hanley we have to remember is he’s a trained shortstop. Moving over to first base is mostly footwork, getting around the bag and understanding where that bag is beneath you. We feel strongly that he could handle that. We feel like it’s worth exploring.
“Each day we go out there we have a program we’re going to try and follow. We want to make sure we put him in a good situation. He’ll play in a game if he’s ready. We’re not gonna rush this. He’s gonna continue to play left field for us.”
Bradley’s extra-base binge halted
OF Jackie Bradley Jr. entered Tuesday’s game with 14 extra-base hits in his last 11 games. He went 1-for-3 in the 5-4 loss to the Chicago White Sox, with the one hit a single to center. Bradley, though, did excel on defense, gunning down Chicago’s Carlos Sanchez at third base from right field in the eighth inning.
“It was one of those plays, I think it was a hit-and-run. I figured he was going to just kind of bluff me and he kept going,” Bradley Jr. said.
Wright to be examined by Hermon’s Collins
RHP Steven Wright (concussion) remains on the seven-day disabled list and will be heading to Pittsburgh to be examined by Dr. Michael Collins, a Hermon native and the head of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Sports Medicine Concussion Program. “He is improving, but we just think it would be good to have him seen by Dr. Collins, who’s an expert in that field,” interim manager Torey Lovullo said.
Porcello back, E-Rod to skip start
RHP Rick Porcello, out since Aug. 2 with a right triceps strain, was activated from the 15-day disabled list to start Wednesday night’s game against the White Sox in Chicago. Porcello’s last appearance was against the White Sox on July 29 and he allowed six runs (five earned) to pick up the loss.
LHP Eduardo Rodriguez will be skipped a start. With a day off on Thursday before opening a three-game series in New York against the Mets, the Red Sox announced Tuesday Rodriguez won’t pitch in order to keep the 22-year-old’s innings down. “We’re trying to manage his time and his workload,” Lovullo said. “This is a way to give him a couple of extra days.”