BOSTON (AP) — Allen Craig is in Boston’s lineup and playing left field for the Red Sox on Friday night against the New York Yankees.
The former St. Louis Cardinal was acquired Thursday at the trading deadline for pitcher John Lackey. Yoenis Cespedes, who was acquired from Oakland for Jon Lester and Jonny Gomes, arrived at Fenway on Friday but was not in the lineup for the opener against the AL East rivals.
The Red Sox unloaded Lester, Lackey, Gomes, Stephen Drew and Andrew Miller on Thursday in deals to start preparing for the future. Red Sox manager John Farrell said that just because the team traded away some talent doesn’t mean it is turning the rest of the season into a tryout camp.
Jon Lester ready to help lead A’s back to playoffs
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Jon Lester walked through the Oakland clubhouse doors to quite a greeting, from the snappy, patriotic marching tune on the sound system to the handshakes and hellos from every corner.
And even the familiar friendly face of his former pitching coach in Boston, Curt Young.
Lester landed Friday with baseball’s winningest team and the small-budget Oakland Athletics, who are counting on him to be an instant ace on a rotation full of No. 1 starters.
The All-Star left-hander will make his first A’s start today afternoon at the Coliseum against Kansas City.
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