Red Sox ask Hanley to lose weight for Spring Training
Lovullo says club asked dynamic player to come in 15 to 20 pounds lighter
CLEVELAND -- A couple of days after president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said that the Red Sox wanted a more athletic and doubles-minded Hanley Ramirez for next season, interim manager Torey Lovullo confirmed that the club asked him to lose some weight before Spring Training.
"It has been discussed," said Lovullo. "It was outlined in his exit physical that he comes in at a certain weight. That's our expectation. I don't have the paperwork in front of me, but I think it was 15 or 20 pounds lighter -- that's what was asked of him."
Ramirez looked noticeably bulkier when he reported to Spring Training before this season, perhaps because he was going to be hitting cleanup behind David Ortiz. But the added weight didn't seem to serve the right-handed hitter well.
How will shedding some pounds help Ramriez?
"Stay healthy. Less stress on the body. All from a health standpoint. All for getting through a season and not having those aches and pains that a big body has," said Lovullo. "We all know when you carry extra weight, it puts more stress on your joints. I think that's the main reason why."
Ramirez, who last played for the Red Sox on Aug. 26, left the club at the beginning of this week to start working with a personal trainer in Miami.