Hanley Ramirez returned to the Red Sox with a longstanding reputation of being a pain in his manager’s back side. Fredi Gonzalez and Don Mattingly surely can attest to that.
But John Farrell hasn’t had any issues.
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WHO: Orioles (Jiminez 1-0) at Red Sox (Kelly 1-0)
WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday
TELEVISION: NESN
If anything, Ramirez has been exactly what the Sox hoped for when they signed him to a four-year, $88 million contract: A feared slugger who has worked diligently to become familiar with left field, a new position for the natural shortstop.
On Wednesday, Ramirez hit a blast that was 10 years in the making – a two-run shot over the Green Monster that represented his first career homer at Fenway Park. Of course, the ex-Sox prospect was supposed to wear out the left field wall until a trade with the Florida Marlins sent him away.
Through nine games, Ramirez has hit almost everything hard. He leads the team with four homers.
But the Sox still were talking about Ramirez’ willingness to move to third base in the fifth inning Tuesday night after Pablo Sandoval exited with a bruised left foot. With shortstop Xander Bogaerts unavailable to play after undergoing an MRI on his sore right knee, Farrell asked Ramirez to switch positions, but not before he considered all other options.
“There was one thought of putting (center fielder) Mookie (Betts) at third base actually, because (he’s) a former infielder,” Farrell said. “Hanley (said), ‘I’ll do whatever you need to do,’ and he’s at third base.”
Maybe Ramirez really has grown up. Earlier in his career, he might not have been willing to make the move.
“I’ll play anywhere,” Ramirez said. “I’m here to win.”
GO LONG, MAN: The struggles of the Sox rotation has brought to light a potential bullpen issue: It lacks a long man.
Once the Nationals knocked out lefty Wade Miley in the third inning, the Sox turned to right-hander Anthony Varvaro, who typically profiles as a middle reliever. Varvaro logged 22/3 innings, his longest outing since Aug. 17, 2013 when he went 31/3 for the Braves. Left-handers Robbie Ross Jr. and Craig Breslow each followed with two-inning stints.
“We’ve got guys who are capable of multiple innings,” Farrell said. “To say that we’re going to make a roster change because of this turn through the rotation, that’s not in the works.”
The Sox were off Thursday, giving Varvaro, Ross and Breslow a chance to recover before the Baltimore Orioles arrive. But if the starters don’t begin to go deeper into games, the need for a true long man will become more acute, perhaps even at the expense of rotation depth.
RUSNEY ON HOLD: Wondering when Rusney Castillo will play again after injuring his right shoulder last weekend?
Your guess is as good as Castillo’s.
“There’s no specific timeline,” the Cuban outfielder said through translator Adrian Lorenzo. “I know I’m going to miss some time. To be able to give you any exact dates or timelines, I can’t do that. Just hope to be out there pretty soon. Every day I’m feeling better.”
Castillo was placed on the seven-day disabled list at Triple-A Pawtucket after injuring his shoulder while attempting a diving catch last Saturday. He underwent an MRI that revealed inflammation but no structural damage.
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