Red Sox to hold out regulars when Grapefruit League action begins on Saturday
The Red Sox have two players that are dealing with minor physical issues that will keep them out of Grapefruit League action to open the spring.
New second baseman Vaughn Grissom is dealing with a hamstring issue and he will be delayed. Grissom injured his hamstring while participating in Story Camp down in Texas.
“Vaughn, we’re going to slow him down (before getting him) into the action,” said Alex Cora said to reporters. “In the assessments, we saw there was a little bit of imbalance with the hammies. But nothing to be too concerned about. We’ll keep building him up from his base. That’s something very important. This happened when he went to (Trevor Story’s infielder) camp (in January). Nothing too serious, but it’s something we have to be cautious about and that’s what we’re trying to do.
“It was just a tweak. We just have to be careful. We don’t want him to try to play here at 90 percent and then something (serious) happens. We’re going to be cautious but little by little, he’s building up. He’s doing all his footwork inside, taking ground balls inside. We feel good about where we’re at, so whenever he’s ready, he’s ready.”
Cora estimates that Grissom will be cleared for game action on March 1.
“About four years ago, I had something similar,” said Grissom to MassLive’s Sean McAdam. “I wouldn’t say it’s frustrating. Obviously, I want to be out there, but personally, I don’t think I’m ready to go so I’m not ready to go yet.”
Catcher Connor Wong is dealing with a sore throwing elbow and he isn’t expected to play in games until the end of the week.
“Nothing too serious,” said Cora of Wong. “We’ll push him back. His throwing program is a little bit behind in that aspect. Hopefully, by the end of (next) week, he’ll starting playing.”
Wong told reporters that he felt discomfort in his elbow during the offseason while working out and alerted the organization. The team is taking a slow approach on their starting catcher now that he is in camp.
“It was slight discomfort,” said Wong. “It’s not something very serious, either on my end or the training staff’s end. Maybe we’re being a little bit cautious right now and see if we can’t get this thing to go away completely before the season starts.”
In addition to the Grissom and Wong, outfielder Jarren Duran is being brought back slowly by the team. He is also expected to see game action around March 1. The speedy outfielder missed the final six weeks of the season after tearing a tendon in his left big toe. He had surgery following the injury and is healthy in camp, the team is being cautious with him.
All-Star closer Kenley Jansen has been dealing with lat soreness since the start of camp has begun to throw long-toss from 120 feet. The team is also being cautious with Jansen and bringing him along slowly.
“Today’s a (regeneration) day,” said Cora. “(Thursday) he threw long-toss of 120 feet. He walking to (a member of the training staff) and I just happened to be walking by and he said, ‘I’m behind.’ I said, ‘No you’re not — just be ready for that first game in Seattle.’ Five innings down here, that’s all he needs.”
