Cooper Criswell makes first spring start, prospect heavy lineup featuring Miguel Bleis and Mikey Romero
The Red Sox will hop on the bus for a three-hour bus ride to Dunedin, Florida, to play the Blue Jays. Boston initially listed right-handed pitcher Tanner Houck as the starter on Thursday, but he’s been scratched for Cooper Criswell.
The Sox prefer to keep Houck behind than travel with the team, and he will pitch on the backfields Friday from Fenway South, according to The Boston Globe’s Peter Abraham.
Criswell will make his first spring start and second appearance. He threw two scoreless frames against the Twins on March 1, allowing one hit, and he struck out two batters.
The righty is a big depth option for the Red Sox who is likely to start with Triple-A Worcester once camp breaks. Criswell is one of many big league ready arms that will pitch meaningful innings at times this coming season.
Boston will feature a minor league-heavy lineup that will see Kristian Campbell in the leadoff spot and playing left field. Mikey Romero will bat eighth and play shortstop, and Miguel Bleis will bat ninth and play center field.
Romero played in 78 games last season, where he slashed .271/.312/.509 with 16 homers, including six for the Sea Dogs in 16 games before the year came to a close.
The Calif. native is expected to begin the year with Portland, calling Hadlock Field home. He projects as the starting shortstop for Portland, according to SoxProspects, and will be relied on as one of the key pieces in the lineup along with Blaze Jordan, Bryan Gonzalez, and Jhostynxon Garcia.
Bleis is another hyped prospect in the Sox’ system that is considered a potential bounce-back candidate, according to Baseball America.
“Bleis succeeded in his first two seasons in Boston’s farm system,” wrote Baseball America. “But after surgery to repair a left shoulder subluxation in 2023, the 20-year-old has struggled to pick up steam in the past two years. The Dominican outfielder has the toolset to be a key fixture with his quick bat speed and plus power potential. He needs to cut down his whiffs and work on his vision at the plate, especially with breaking pitches in the zone. Bleis led the Red Sox system with 38 stolen bases. His speed also helps his defensive value.”
What happened on Wednesday?
The Red Sox defeated the Tampa Bay Rays at JetBlue Park yesterday, 4-2.
Garrett Crochet struck out seven batters over three scoreless innings, allowing two hits and walking one.
The radar gun at JetBlue Park was reading triple digits during the southpaw's three innings of work.
“I think that was a misread. I was feeling good, and I know it was coming out well, but I don’t think it was that well,” said Crochet to reporters after the game.
Crochet looked as advertised against the Rays as he continues to cement his status at the top of the Red Sox rotation.
“He’s just a strong dude who knows his art, or his craft,” said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. “He’s working hard with the pitching group to keep getting better. I think for him, last year was last year. He just got a taste of what it is to be a big league starter. And he's eager to get this going and give us 30 starts and then help us win.”
Aroldis Chapman retired all three batters he faced in the 4th inning and struck out one batter.
Masataka Yoshida went 2-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI.
Alex Bregman went 1-for-2 with a triple and a walk.
Key stats, information, and Red Sox lineup
Ceddannae Rafaela was dealing with a hamstring issue this week and is feeling better. He will run today, and if all goes well, he will play this weekend.
Lucas Giolito will throw two innings of live batting practice today. The plan after is for him to pitch on Tuesday for two innings.
Rafael Devers has been swinging in the batting cages and getting closer to getting regular at-bats. Red Sox skipper Alex Cora told Devers to keep him updated as to when he’s ready.
Alex Bregman hasn’t seen time at second base. Cora told reporters that he’s prioritizing getting others who are pushing hard to play the position at-bats.
Marcelo Mayer is feeling better after dealing with being sick this week. The team is planning on playing him on Friday.
Garrett Whitlock is one of a handful of pitchers that will pitch on Friday; he is expected to work one inning.
(All notes via/Rob Bradford and the media scrum with Alex Cora on Thursday.)
Red Sox (6-4-1) vs. the Blue Jays (6-4)
Kristian Campbell LF
Nick Sogard 3B
Vaughn Grissom 2B
Nathan Hickey 1B
Carlos Narváez C
Nate Eaton DH
Jhostynxon Garcia RF
Mikey Romero SS
Miguel Bleis CF
SP: Cooper Criswell (0-0, 0.00 ERA, 2 K)
The first pitch is at 1:07 p.m., and the game can be heard on WEEI 850 AM and can be seen on NESN and NESN 360.
MLB Spring Training Notebook: Why Alex Bregman went on the road Monday, Padres sign former Red Sox infielder, Oriole banged up, Roki and more
When teams go on the road for spring training games in Florida, key veteran players don’t usually travel with the team. On Monday, new Red Sox infielder Alex Bregman told manager Alex Cora he wanted to travel with the young players and play on the road against the Orioles in Sarasota.