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Final Workout

Wednesday, February 21, 2018 – JetBlue Park, Ft. Myers

Spring Training Workout

On Wednesday the string of hot Florida weather continued, and we returned to JetBlue Park for the final workout before the real fake games begin.  Today we got to see a pop-up drill and watched several of the pitchers throw live B.P.  We also hung around until the very last player had left the field and picked up some good autographs in the process.

Brock Holt nabs a grounder during infield practice, while manager Alex Cora looks on.

Brock Holt nabs a grounder during infield practice, while manager Alex Cora looks on.

Pedro Martinez has been in camp all week to work with the young pitchers, including Eduardo Rodriguez. I heard that Pedro had spent over an hour signing autographs and taking selfies with fans earlier in the week before I came down, but today he was all business. He spent some time watching this fielding drill, but most of his day was spent in the bullpens, which are out of view of the fans.

Pedro Martinez has been in camp all week to work with the young pitchers, including Eduardo Rodriguez. I heard that Pedro had spent over an hour signing autographs and taking selfies with fans earlier in the week before I came down, but today he was all business. He spent some time watching this fielding drill, but most of his day was spent working with pitchers in the bullpens, which are out of view of the fans.

Catcher Dan Butler, who's been in the organization for years and got a cup of coffee in the majors in 2014, waits his turn in a drill. Behind him, David Price, Drew Pomeranz, Williams Jerez, and Roenis Elias line up on the mound.

Catcher Dan Butler, who's been in the organization for years and got a cup of coffee in the majors in 2014, waits his turn in a drill. Behind him, David Price, Drew Pomeranz, Williams Jerez, and Roenis Elias line up on the mound.

Hanley Ramirez smiles during batting practice.

Hanley Ramirez smiles during batting practice.

Jackie Bradley Jr.'s wife and young daughter were among the fans watching batting practice. Jackie smiled in their direction as his daughter waved to Daddy.

Jackie Bradley Jr.'s wife and one-year-old daughter were among the fans watching batting practice. Jackie smiled in their direction as his daughter waved to Daddy.

Joe Kelly throws live batting practice. A few picthes later, he was hit in the leg by a comebacker to the mound. He walked off under his own power and was sent for precautionary x-rays.

Joe Kelly throws live batting practice. A few pitches later, he was hit in the leg by a comebacker to the mound. He walked off under his own power and was sent for precautionary x-rays, but we heard later that he was expected to be OK.

Another pitcher who threw live B.P. was reliever Robby Scott, and he helped clear up one of the questions that’s been bugging me all week.  Scott had worn uniform number 63 last year, but he was one of the players who switched to a lower number this year, wearing 36 in practice on Monday and Tuesday.  Meanwhile Eduardo Nuñez had re-signed with the Red Sox over the weekend.  He had worn 36 last year, but that wasn’t available now, and he was just wearing a plain blue workout shirt.  So today when I saw that Robby Scott had switched back to 63, I figured out that Nuñez will be getting his old 36 back.

The other number switch today was Alex Cora, who had been wearing number 28.  That’s the number J.D. Martinez has been wearing, so with his contract just pending a physical, Cora switched to number 20 today.  (Those who follow my website know how I obsess over uniform numbers.)

We got autographs from Mitch Moreland as he was coming off the field. While I'll ask any player in big league camp for an autograph, and I follow the whole organization so I know who most of the prospects are, it's always fun to get someone who's actually on the major league roster. In the background, JBJ signed too, although not where I was standing.

We got autographs from Mitch Moreland as he was coming off the field. While I'll ask any player in big league camp for an autograph, and I follow the whole organization so I know who most of the prospects are, it's always fun to get someone who's actually on the major league roster. In the background, JBJ signed too, although not where I was standing.

Rafael Devers awaits his turn running the bases after batting practice.

Rafael Devers awaits his turn running the bases after batting practice.

The last players left on the field were the catchers, taking batting practice of their own after spending the rest of the day catching live B.P. and bullpen sessions and participating in fielding drills. We had gotten autographs from Sandy Leon and Dan Butler yesterday, but we hung around until they were done, and got Christian Vazquez and Blake Swihart to sign today.

The last players left on the field at the end of the day were the catchers, taking batting practice of their own after spending the rest of the day catching live B.P. and bullpen sessions and participating in fielding drills. We had gotten autographs from Sandy Leon and Dan Butler yesterday, but we hung around until they were done, and got Christian Vazquez and Blake Swihart to sign today.

After practice, we made sure to check out the new 34 in front of JetBlue Park, representing David Ortiz, whose number was retired at Fenway last season.

After practice, we made sure to check out the new 34 in front of JetBlue Park, representing David Ortiz, whose number was retired at Fenway last season.

Posted on February 21, 2018 · Permalink · Share on Facebook
Posted in: 2018 Spring Training

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