To go a step further, considering that all three of the Sox’s new pitchers, including starter James Paxton (calf strain) now out, the picture is even bleaker.
“I was very optimistic,” Cora said before Tuesday night’s 6-3 win over the Blue Jays. “Especially because we had problems getting Paxton and the relievers because of injuries, and because we knew (Chris Martin) came back and (Justin) Slating At some point during that time, we needed arms. Especially in the games we played, hard games, exhausting ones. Not easy ones. We went to the bullpen a lot.”
Sims and Garcia’s performances did not contribute to winning baseball.
In Sims’ 10 innings, he posted an ERA of 8.10, with the same number of strikeouts as walks (7) and two home runs. Garcia was even worse, with a 10.32 ERA in 11⅓ innings and four home runs.
With Sims and Garcia on the injured list, the Sox recalled relievers Greg Weissert And Josh Winckowski.
“It’s an opportunity for Weissert to come back and do the things he did last week,” Cora said. “It’s an opportunity for (Winckowski) to prove himself and make a big impact. That’s how I look at it. Like any injury, it opens the window or the door for someone to come in here and contribute. That’s the most important thing.”
Free evening for Devers
Rafael Devers has persistent pain in his right and left shoulder, which is why he cannot play on Tuesday.
“He’s not getting any worse, but he’s not getting any better,” Cora said. “So I talked to him last night before Game 2 (of the doubleheader) and told him to just let me know.”
Devers, who hates taking days off, texted Cora late Monday night saying a breather on Tuesday would be good.
“If he needs two or three, we’ll do that,” Cora said. “We have to take care of him. I think that’s smart. You’ve seen it all season, if you take care of him, he takes care of us. So, you know, hopefully one day it will be that way. But if he needs more, I’m willing to give him that.”
Despite shoulder injuries and a previous knee bruise that kept him out of action for several games, Devers is having an outstanding season, hitting .290/.369/.571 and hitting 28 home runs.
He was selected as an All-Star for the third time this summer and recently hit his 200th home run. Devers is only the 11th player to ever hit 200 home runs with the Sox, but he was the first to do so before his 28th birthday. On Monday, he played his 933rd game at third base, making him the third-leading pitcher in franchise history.
“He finds ways and is a skilled baseball player who understands what he needs to do to prepare on a daily basis,” Cora said. “Less swings, less ground balls, less throws, more stuff in the training room, in the weight room. He has a pretty good idea of what he needs to do to be competitive on the day, and most of the time it works.”
Romy Gonzalez started at third base in place of Devers and went 1 for 4.
Hill added to squad
The Red Sox chose left-handers Rich Hill to the active roster before Tuesday night’s game. The 44-year-old will wear number 44. To make room for Hill, the Sox have signed the right-hander Brad Keller for the assignment . . . Liam Hendriks (elbow) will play for Worcester in rehab games on Wednesday and Friday… Trevor Story (shoulder) is making good progress and is hitting like a pitching machine, but it is unlikely he will participate in any rehab this weekend.
You can reach Julian McWilliams at [email protected]. Follow him @vonJulianMack.
