Ottavino seems likely to find interest on the open market after turning down a guaranteed deal over the winter. His spring ERA (10.80) was inflated by a blow-up outing (6 earned runs while recording a single out on March 11) but he has otherwise pitched well, including Friday when he struck out two in a scoreless frame against the Pirates. Moore’s decision could go either way; he pitched just three innings in games, holding opponents scoreless while striking out two.
“I cannot confirm that but we’ve been talking to guys,” Cora said when asked about Ottavino and Moore. “We have a pretty good idea of where we’re going the next few days.
“Yesterday, (Ottavino) threw strikes, stuff was better. Moore, the breaking ball was really good yesterday. Trending in the right direction.”
With Ottavino and Moore out of the mix, the Red Sox’ Opening Day bullpen picture is getting clearer. On Saturday, Cora identified five (somewhat obvious) locks to make the team: presumed closer Aroldis Chapman, lefty Justin Wilson and righties Liam Hendriks, Justin Slaten and Garrett Whitlock. The math suggests there are three open spots for five remaining pitchers: righties Zack Kelly and Greg Weissert, long man Cooper Criswell, lefty Brennan Bernardino and righty Bryan Mata, who has emerged as a dark horse candidate.
“He’s throwing the (expletive) out of the ball,” Cora said of Mata, who like Bernardino is throwing two innings against the Rays on Saturday.
The Red Sox have not yet informed any of the competing relievers that they will be in the majors when the season starts Thursday. It’s possible they’re leaving things open-ended to be able to assess the opt-out/waiver market in the days before camp. Also playing a role is the pending decision over who will be the No. 5 starter, either righty Quinn Priester or lefty Sean Newcomb. Cora said it’s possible the club carries three lefties in its eight-man bullpen, especially if Chapman is installed in the ninth.
“We have to think about it,” he said. “We’ve got one lefty in the rotation, maybe two, so that comes into play, too. I don’t expect too many lefties in the lineup Thursday so you need your righties. If we go the other route with another lefty, it’s probably going to be the same thing. You have to manage the other team and see how they’re going to react. But there’s a chance.”
It appears the Red Sox have settled on one of the remaining three spots and are seeing how the final days of spring training go before filling the other two. The roster won’t be settled by the time the team leaves Florida on Sunday night ahead of a two-game exhibition series in Monterrey, Mexico.
“The final move won’t be today or tomorrow,” Cora said. “We’ll wait until the end. That’s pitching-wise and position-player wise. I’m not going to give (the public) any more updates on things because we’re not going to make a decision until the end
“We’ve got one more spot in the rotation, probably two spots in the bullpen and then a few decisions position player-wise.”
