Red Sox Notes: Liam Hendriks roughed up, Spring Breakout roster announced, 3 players fighting for a roster spot

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Red Sox reliever Liam Hendriks is fighting in camp to be the closer for this coming season. He didn’t help his cause on Wednesday when he was roughed up for one run off four hits in the fifth inning versus the Rays.

Hendriks has given up four runs on eight hits over three frames in three outings this spring.

“Two fastballs, two [hits], and after that he pitched,” Cora said. “I think he had a good slider. That’s the thing about spring training; sometimes you have kids just swinging, and that’s what happened today. The stuff is getting better.”

There have been flashes of brilliance when on the mound, touching 96 mph, while consistently sitting at 94 mph. The three-time All-Star is still working on his mechanics as he continues his return from Tommy John surgery.

“The big thing I’m working on now is, ‘OK, I need to figure out how I can get that 96 from Pitch 1,’” said Hendriks. “The battle for me right now is just getting to that point where my A pitch comes off pitch number one.”

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The Red Sox have three players that could be viable options to make the Opening Day roster: infielder Nick Sogard and outfielders Trayce Thompson and Nate Eaton.

Thompson has been one of the hottest hitters on the Red Sox this spring. In 20 at-bats, the 33-year-old is hitting .300 with three homers, two doubles, six RBI, and three walks with a 1.241 OPS. With right-fielder Wilyer Abreu still dealing with a GI issue, there’s a possibility he could miss the start of Opening Day. Thompson has a real shot to make the roster out of camp.

Sogard is having a strong camp, similar to Thompson, hitting .364 with one homer, two doubles, three RBI, and four walks, while owning a 1.053 OPS.

The 27-year-old offers versatility all over in the infield, including taking reps at first base, to give Boston a backup option behind Triston Casas. He can also play in the outfield, seeing time at both corner outfield spots while with the WooSox. Sogard’s versatility is valuable and might give him the slight edge over Thompson.

Eaton appears to be the odd man out amongst this trio. He should start the season with the WooSox, locking down all three outfield spots and manning the hot corner.

This spring, the speedy outfielder is hitting .211 with a .400 on-base percentage. In 12 games, he’s hit one homer, two doubles, one triple, four RBI, six walks, and one stolen base. His only homer was a grand slam off the Pirates.

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The Red Sox announced their roster for the “Spring Breakout” game against the Rays. The two teams will play at 7:05 p.m. in Port Charlotte.

Boston’s “Big Three” of Roman Anthony, Kristian Campbell, and Marcelo Mayer will be on the roster. Fellow member of the 40-man roster, outfielder Jhostynxon Garcia and right-handed pitcher Hunter Dobbins are also members of the Sox’ squad.

The full roster will include the following prospects:

Pitchers:

RHP Cooper Adams

LHP Brandon Clarke

RHP Hunter Dobbins

LHP Connelly Early

LHP Jojo Ingrassia

RHP Yordanny Monegro

RHP Jedixson Paez

RHP David Sandlin

RHP Reidis Sena

RHP Adam Smith

LHP Payton Tolle

RHP Juan Valera

RHP Blake Wehunt

Catchers:

C Brooks Brannon

C Ronald Rosario

C Kleyver Salavar

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Infielders:

INF Franklin Arias

INF Yoeilin Cespedes

INF Blaze Jordan

INF Marcelo Mayer

INF Mikey Romero

Outfielders:

OF Roman Anthony

OF Miguel Bleis

OF Allan Castro

OF Jhostynxon Garcia

OF Nelly Taylor

INF/OF Kristian Campbell