BOSTON -- Unsurprisingly, Fenway Park has two of the smallest dugouts in baseball -- if not the smallest.
In this season of social distancing, the Red Sox are taking care of that issue with the construction of auxiliary dugouts.
The one on the home side was completed just in time for Wednesday's intrasquad game. The visitors should have one in place by July 21, when the Blue Jays come in for the first of two exhibition games.
The auxiliary dugout is a large tent that stretches from where the regular dugout ends toward home plate.
The tent covers box seats, where players and some coaches will sit. Many of the seats were taken out to make sure players and coaches aren't sitting too close to each other.
"I think we at least got to see where we're going to sit in that [extra space], where the extra guys are going to be," said Red Sox manager Ron Roenicke. "I know [third-base coach] Carlos [Febles] was in there figuring out where he's going to be in there to position the infielders.
"[Coach] Ramon [Vazquez] was also in there for the same reason, and so there's a lot of room there. The only thing is, if you're back a ways on a pop fly, you kind of have to get forward and look underneath to see where that fly ball is going."
Dalbec getting back in swing
Bobby Dalbec, Boston's No. 3 prospect, is getting in the swing of things after his late arrival to camp due to testing positive to COVID-19.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Dalbec said that his first positive test was on June 8 while in Arizona. Fortunately, he was asymptomatic the entire time.
"No spike in fever. I never felt tired. No body aches, nothing. I had my taste and smell the whole time," Dalbec said. "I obviously consider myself lucky that the way I did get it was that way. I was fortunate. Other than that, I felt good the whole time. Was just ready to get back playing and doing my thing."
Rafael Devers made his first appearance in Summer Camp last weekend and hasn't played in intrasquad games yet.
"Whenever they deem me ready to play again, I'll do that," said Dalbec.
Unless the Red Sox have an injury or illness to a corner infielder, Dalbec will likely spend most of the season staying in shape at the team's alternate training site in Pawtucket, R.I. But if the team calls on him to make his Major League debut, he says he'll be ready. In 2019, Dalbec played 104 games for Double-A Portland and 30 more for Triple-A Pawtucket, belting 27 homers in 472 at-bats.
"I'm never going to say I can't contribute," said Dalbec. "I always feel ready to go. It's just when they feel I'm ready to go."
Verdugo looks right at home
Though it's hard to replace a four-time American League Gold Glove Award winner like Mookie Betts in right field, Alex Verdugo is a pretty good defender in his own right.
In Wednesday's intrasquad game, Verdugo raced back to the wall, shaded himself from the sun and made a sweet catch in front of the home bullpen, taking extra bases -- and possibly even a home run -- away from Andrew Benintendi.
"And he's good at all three spots in the outfield," said Roenicke. "He can play center if we need him, he's played left field also, so he's good defensively. He's still trying to get his timing at the plate, but once he gets that timing, we're looking at a really good offense."
JBJ baby reveal
Center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr.'s 4-year-old daughter Emerson will soon have a baby brother. In a heartfelt Instagram post on Wednesday, Bradley and his wife Erin revealed they are expecting a son in the fall.