FORT MYERS, Fla. -- As the hours wind down until Opening Day is upon us and the games finally begin to count, the Red Sox, like every other team in the Majors, are making final roster decisions.
On Monday morning, the club announced World Baseball Classic standout Nate Eaton was optioned to Minor League camp. With that move, Andruw Monasterio will be the team’s 13th position player to make the Opening Day roster.
“Just a good athlete. Versatile. A good at-bat against lefties,” manager Alex Cora said of Monasterio prior to Boston's 9-6 loss to Minnesota at JetBlue Park. “Little by little, we’ll get him introduced to the outfield just in case, but we know [Isiah Kiner-Falefa] can do that. We don’t have to push it. I think the first base thing is really good. Both of them have done an amazing job at first, so we're very comfortable.”
Monasterio has played every infield position at the Major League level at some point in his career, and he even has a few innings of outfield experience under his belt.
With the loss of Romy Gonzalez, who underwent a successful left shoulder arthroscopic debridement on March 12, the Sox needed a bat off the bench that could perform well against left-handed pitching.
Monasterio hit better against lefties than he did right-handers last year with Milwaukee, batting .273 with an .837 OPS in 44 at-bats, as opposed to .268 with a .709 OPS in 82 at-bats. Across his first three years in the Majors, Monasterio has posted a 107 wRC+ against southpaws, compared to a 79 figure against right-handers. He also has a higher walk percentage in his career against lefties (12.2 percent) than he does against right-handers (6.6 percent).
It seemed the decision came down to Eaton and Monasterio, with the latter winning the job with the many outfielders the club has to trot between the white lines.
With catchers Mickey Gasper and Matt Thaiss both being moved to Minor League camp on Monday, Connor Wong is locked in as the backup to Carlos Narváez.
“Position player-wise, we’re set,” Cora said. “Where we’re at with the outfielders, it makes sense to carry Andruw. There’s comfort level with Connor. Obviously with the way we’re going to play, having one of those weapons on the bench, we’re probably going to be very aggressive pinch-hitting in certain situations. Having [Wong] behind the plate late in games if he doesn’t start, or the other way around, is a must for me. I’m very comfortable where we’re at. We’re going to be versatile. We’re going to have some good weapons coming off the bench.”
Eaton, who spent all of his time in camp working as an outfielder, was told by Cora to stay sharp and be prepared.
“Just stay ready,” Cora said when asked what the message to Eaton was. “The 13 position players we’re going to take to Cincinnati [for Opening Day], that doesn’t mean you’re not part of this. But right now, he’s not. ‘Just go down there, keep playing hard and stay ready. You never know what can happen in a few weeks.’”
Watson earns spot on Opening Day roster
One member of Boston’s bullpen was solidified on Monday, as Rule 5 Draft pick Ryan Watson made the team.
The right-hander was acquired via trade with the Athletics on Dec. 10, the same day Oakland purchased his contract from San Francisco in the Rule 5 Draft. In 46 games with Triple-A Sacramento last season, Watson logged a 4.26 ERA but displayed his ability to miss bats with 64 strikeouts in 50 2/3 innings.
Cora said he envisions the 28-year-old as a multi-inning guy out of the ‘pen. Through nine games this spring, Watson has tossed 11 1/3 frames, struck out seven and allowed seven earned runs.
“He’s a guy that has a lot of upside,” Cora said. “He’s trending in the right direction. [On Sunday,] he pounded the strike zone for two innings. He’s been doing that lately. He’s a guy that we trust.”
Plan for new relievers
Two Red Sox relievers who were acquired over the past 11 days may need some more time to ramp up.
First is lefty Danny Coulombe, who signed a one-year Major League deal on Mar. 13. Other than closer Aroldis Chapman and potential bullpen piece Jovani Morán, the Sox were without any other southpaws in the ‘pen prior to Coulombe’s signing.
Coulombe pitched one inning in Monday’s game, striking out two left-handed hitters and allowing two hits over 20 pitches (12 strikes). He ended his outing by taking a comebacker off of his non-throwing arm, but he finished the play calmly and got the out at first. Cora said X-rays on Coulombe’s forearm were negative.
“We’ll see how he feels tomorrow,” Cora said regarding Coulombe’s potential to start the regular season with the team. “There’s a good chance that he stays back with a group [to tune up before the season begins], just like [Brayan] Bello, here. We’ll see how it plays out. Health-wise, he feels good.”
Following Coulombe, veteran righty Tommy Kahnle was added on a Minor League deal last Thursday. Cora said the journeyman’s role with the team is still to be decided.
“I have to talk to [chief baseball officer Craig Breslow] about that one to see where we’re at and where he’s at,” Cora said. “I’m not sure how the transaction went down, I just saw a good pitcher the other day throw 94-95 mph and a good changeup. Those are big leaguers, and he’s done it before.”