Boston Red Sox pitchers Garrett Whitlock and Brayan Bello will head to Portland this week to start the first two games of the season for the Double-A Sea Dogs.
Whitlock is scheduled to make a rehab start Thursday on Opening Day for the Sea Dogs against the Binghamton Rumble Ponies at Hadlock Field, and Bello will make a rehab start Friday.
Whitlock, a 28-year-old righty who started Friday for Triple-A Worcester, underwent season-ending hip surgery last September, and the Red Sox have been careful about his work this spring. He went four innings and threw 75 pitches (50 strikes) in an 11-2 drubbing of the Syracuse Mets. He allowed one run on six hits, with a walk and six strikeouts.
“Most likely, that will be his last (rehab start) before joining us,” Red Sox Manager Alex Cora said of Whitlock’s scheduled outing in Portland.
Bello, a 23-year-old righty, is recovering from soreness in his forearm.
Veteran southpaw James Paxton is likely to make a rehab appearance this week for Worcester, perhaps on Tuesday.
“They’re on track,” Cora said. “They are getting better, bouncing back great. So now, it’s just a matter of getting the reps and building them up. And then we decide what we’re going to do with the pitching staff.”
MARINERS: Right-hander Robbie Ray was placed on the 15-day injured list of a left flexor strain.
Ray had a rocky first start on Friday night in a 9-4 loss to Cleveland. He failed to make it through the fourth inning, issued five walks and struggled badly with his control.
Ray, 31, has been durable for most of his career. Aside from the pandemic shortened 2020 season, Ray has made at least 28 starts five times since 2016, including the 2021 season with Toronto when he won the AL Cy Young Award.
PADRES: Two-time All-Star infielder Jake Cronenworth agreed to an $80 million, seven-year contract that will go into effect next season.
Cronenworth and the Padres reached a one-year deal in January for $4,225,000, and he would have been eligible for free agency after the 2025 season.
Cronenworth was primarily at second base the past three seasons but was moved to first this year after the Padres signed All-Star shortstop Xander Bogaerts to a $280 million, 11-year deal and shifted Ha-Seong Kim from shortstop to second.
BREWERS: Infielder Luis Urías was placed on the 10-day injured list because of a strained left hamstring, and the team selected the contract of outfielder Joey Wiemer from Triple-A Nashville.
GIANTS: Catcher Gary Sánchez agreed to a minor league contract and will report to Triple-A Sacramento.
Sánchez, 30, was a two-time All-Star with the New York Yankees, but has struggled after 2017, when he hit .278 with 33 homers and 90 RBI.
He batted .205 with 16 homers and 61 RBI in 128 games for Minnesota last year.
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