Tag: opening day

Red Sox rally late, but come up short in 10-9 loss to Orioles on Opening Day

The Red Sox mounted a late rally, but it was not enough to get past the Orioles on Thursday afternoon. Boston fell to Baltimore by a final score of 10-9 on Opening Day at Fenway Park.

Corey Kluber’s first start of the season did not go as planned. Making his Red Sox debut, the veteran right-hander surrendered five earned runs on six hits and four walks to go along with four strikeouts over just 3 1/3 innings of work.

The Orioles got to Kluber right away in their half of the first. After striking out leadoff man Cedric Mullins, Kluber served up a 402-foot solo shot to Adley Rutschman to give Baltimore an early 1-0 lead. He walked two batters in the inning as well, but escaped without giving anything else up.

Despite falling behind right out of the gate, the Red Sox regrouped rather quickly in the latter half of the first. With Kyle Gibson starting for the Orioles, Alex Verdugo led things off by lacing a 369-foot triple off the Green Monster. He scored the then-tying run moments later on an RBI groundout off the bat of Rafael Devers.

It then appeared as though Kluber was about to settle in, as he retired the side in order in the second and worked his way around two hits in the third. But the righty ran into more trouble in the fourth by first issuing a leadoff walk to Gunnar Henderson. Two pitches later, Kluber gave up a towering two-run home run to Ramon Urias that put Baltimore up, 3-1.

Kluber allowed three of the next four batters he faced to reach base. At that point, he was given the hook in favor of rookie Zack Kelly. Kelly, inheriting a bases-loaded jam, allowed two of the three runners he inherited to score on a wild pitch and bases-loaded walk of Ryan Mountcastle, thus closing the book on Kluber’s outing.

The 36-year-old hurler finished with a final pitch count of 80 (48 strikes). He averaged 87.7 mph with his sinker — his most frequently-used pitch — and induced six swings-and-misses in total. The four walks are the most he has given up in a single start since last Opening Day, when he was a member of the Rays.

After watching the Orioles put up a four-spot in the top half of the fourth, Devers led off the bottom half with a hard-hit ground-rule double to right field. He moved up to third on a Justin Turner groundout and remained there after Masataka Yoshida was hit by a pitch. With one out and runners on the corners, Adam Duvall laced a blistering 108.6 mph single off Gibson that allowed Devers to score from third, making it a 5-2 game. Triston Casas followed by drawing a four-pitch walk to load the bases for Christian Arroyo. Arroyo, however, grounded into an inning-ending, 4-6-3 double play to extinguish the threat.

Ryan Brasier took over for Kelly in the fifth and recorded the first two outs of the frame by inducing a twin killing of his own. He then issued a seven-pitch walk to Adam Frazier, who promptly stole second base and scored from there on a Jorge Mateo single. Mateo swiped second and took third while Mullins was in the process of drawing a walk. After Mullins stole second to put a pair of runners in scoring position, Rutschman came through with a two-run single to left field that gave the Orioles a commanding 8-2 lead.

The Red Sox managed to cut into that deficit in the sixth. Devers and Turner hit back-to-back singles to lead off the inning and knock Gibson out of the game. Yoshida then greeted new O’s reliever Keegan Akin by driving in Devers on a single through the right side of the infield for both his first hit and RBI as a major-leaguer. Turner, who went from first to third on the play, scored the second run of the inning on an RBI groundout from Casas.

Kaleb Ort, who put up a zero in the top of the sixth, came back out for the seventh. This time around, however, Ort gave up a leadoff double to Frazier, who quickly moved up to third on a successful sacrifice bunt laid down by Mateo. Mullins then plated Frazier with an RBI single before Rutschman followed suit with a run-scoring hit of his own.

Rutschman’s single was hit to Yoshida in left field. Yoshida made a quick throw towards home in an attempt to gun down Mullins at the plate. But Devers, the third baseman, elected to cut the throw off in order to snuff out Rutschman — who was trying to extend his single into a double — at second. Although Devers did get Rutschman out, the Orioles still increased their lead to six runs at 10-4.

Josh Winckowski kept the deficit at six runs in the top of the eighth by maneuvering his way around a leadoff double and Enrique Hernandez throwing error, paving the way for the Boston lineup to have its most productive inning of the afternoon.

With Bryan Baker on the mound for Baltimore, three straight hitters (Turner, Yoshida, and Duvall) all reached base after Devers struck out on a pitch clock violation for the first out. Casas then drove in Turner with a sacrifice fly before Arroyo ripped a two-run double over the head of left fielder Anthony Santander.

That sequence of events cut the Orioles’ lead down to three runs at 10-7. And it remained that way after Chris Martin tossed a scoreless ninth inning. Down to their final three outs now, the pinch-hitting Raimel Tapia drew a leadoff walk off Baltimore closer Felix Bautista. A hard-hit single from Verdugo that was accompanied by a fielding error put runners at second and third with no outs.

Devers struck out for the second time, but Turner delivered with an infield single that scored Tapia from third. It then appeared as though Yoshida was about to ground into a game-ending double play, but a poor throw to first allowed Yoshida to reach base safely while Verdugo crossed the plate for Boston’s ninth run.

Yoshida was able to advance to second as well, which put the tying run in scoring position for Duvall. Duvall, however, went down swinging on three straight strikes to end it there.

With Thursday’s loss, Red Sox manager Alex Cora falls to 0-5 all-time on Opening Day. The nine walks issued by Boston pitchers tied an Opening Day franchise record. It also happened in 1926 against the Orioles and in 1966 against the Yankees.

Yoshida’s MLB debut

After signing a five-year, $90 million contract with the Red Sox in December, Masataka Yoshida made his highly-anticipated big-league debut on Thursday. The 29-year-old out of Japan went 2-for-4 with an RBI and run scored out of the cleanup spot. He was also credited with an outfield assist when Adley Rutschman was thrown out at second base in the seventh inning.

Casas’ first Opening Day start

Triston Casas became the youngest first baseman to start on Opening Day for the Red Sox since George Scott in 1967. The left-handed hitting 23-year-old went 0-for-2 with a walk, a strikeout, and two RBIs.

Next up: First Sale Day of the season

At 0-1, the Red Sox will have Friday off before returning to action against the Orioles on Saturday. In the middle game of this three-game series, left-hander Chris Sale is slated to take the mound for Boston while right-hander Dean Kremer is expected to do the same for Baltimore.

First pitch from Fenway Park on Saturday is scheduled for 4:10 p.m. eastern time on NESN.

(Picture of Corey Kluber: Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)

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Red Sox finalize 2023 Opening Day roster

Ahead of Thursday’s season opener against the Orioles at Fenway Park, the Red Sox finalized their 26-man Opening Day roster.

Boston will carry 13 pitchers and 13 position players to kick off the 2023 campaign. Outfielder Raimel Tapia and right-handed reliever Kaleb Ort received the final two roster spots.

Tapia, who signed a minor-league contract with the Red Sox in January, enjoyed a strong spring (.988 OPS in 17 Grapefruit League games) and beat out Jarren Duran for the fifth outfield spot off the bench. The left-handed hitting 29-year-old figures to see playing time at all three outfield spots as a complement to the right-handed hitting Rob Refsnyder.

“Tapia, kind of a veteran guy, been there, done that,” manager Alex Cora told reporters (including MassLive.com’s Christopher Smith) on Thursday. We can use him in the three outfield positions. We can pinch-hit with him. He can run.”

The Red Sox created an opening for Tapia on the big-league roster by optioning Duran to Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday. They cleared a 40-man roster spot for him on Thursday by placing infielder Adalberto Mondesi on the 60-day injured list.

Mondesi, who was acquired from the Royals for left-handed reliever Josh Taylor in January, is still working his way back from a torn left ACL that required him to undergo season-ending surgery last May. The speedy 27-year-old will not be eligible to be activated from the injured list until May 29 at the earliest.

In addition to Mondesi, fellow infielder Trevor Story will also begin the season on the 60-day injured list after undergoing internal brace surgery on is right elbow in January. Those two will not count against the 40-man roster while they are sidelined.

Left-handers James Paxton and Joely Rodriguez and right-handers Garrett Whitlock, Wyatt Mills, and Brayan Bello will all start the season on the 15-day injured list. With Rodriguez on the shelf, Richard Bleier is the only lefty reliever the Red Sox will have available out of the bullpen to begin the year.

With that, here is the Red Sox’ Opening Day roster in its entirety:

Pitchers (13): LHP Richard Bleier, RHP Ryan Brasier, RHP Kutter Crawford, RHP Tanner Houck, RHP Kenley Jansen, RHP Zack Kelly, RHP Corey Kluber, RHP Chris Martin, RHP Kaleb Ort, RHP Nick Pivetta, LHP Chris Sale, RHP John Schreiber, RHP Josh Winckowski

Catchers (2): Reese McGuire, Connor Wong

Infielders (6): Christian Arroyo, Triston Casas, Yu Chang, Rafael Devers, Enrique Hernandez, Justin Turner

Outfielders (5): Adam Duvall, Rob Refsnyder, Raimel Tapia, Alex Verdugo, Masataka Yoshida

—

First pitch between the Red Sox and Orioles from Fenway Park is scheduled for 2:10 p.m. eastern time on NESN. Kluber gets the Opening Day start for Boston opposite fellow righty Kyle Gibson for Baltimore.

(Picture of Fenway Park: Paul Rutherford/Getty Images)

Former Red Sox slugger Franchy Cordero agrees to deal with Yankees

Former Red Sox first baseman/outfielder Franchy Cordero has agreed to a one-year, major-league contract with the Yankees, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. It is a split deal that will pay Cordero $1 million in the big-leagues and $180,000 in the minors. Barring a late surprise, the 28-year-old appears set to make New York’s Opening Day roster.

Cordero spent the last two seasons with the Red Sox after originally being acquired from the Royals as part of the three-team, seven-player trade that sent Andrew Benintendi to Kansas City in February 2021. In 132 games with Boston, the left-handed hitter batted .209/.279/.350 with 23 doubles, one triple, nine home runs, 38 RBIs, 48 runs scored, five stolen bases, 36 walks, and 143 strikeouts over 411 plate appearances.

To begin his Red Sox tenure, Cordero struggled to the tune of a .189/.237/.260 slash line across 48 games in 2021. Though he found success at Triple-A Worcester during that time, he was still designated for assignment that October and was subsequently re-signed to a minor-league deal.

Cordero returned to Worcester for the start of the 2022 campaign and was called up for the first time in late April. He proceeded to hit .282/.346/.479 with two homers and 12 RBIs in his first 25 games back with the big-league club, most notably crushing a walk-off grand slam against the Mariners at Fenway Park on May 22.

As the calendar flipped from May to June, though, Cordero began to struggle again. He produced a .721 OPS in June and then slumped to the tune of a .162/.240/.279 line in July before being sent down to Worcester in early August. Cordero was recalled later that month after Eric Hosmer hit the injured list. He homered four times in his next 12 games but his season unfortunately came to an end on September 5 when he crashed into the left field wall at Tropicana Field and suffered a high right ankle sprain.

Cordero was projected to earn $1.5 million as an arbitration-eligible player in 2023 but was non-tendered by the Red Sox in November. It was previously reported that Boston liked what Cordero brought to the table in terms of tools and personality, but it could not guarantee him a clear path to playing time thanks to the emergence of fellow left-handed hitting first baseman Triston Casas.

Shortly after being cut loose by the Red Sox, Cordero inked a minors pact with the Orioles in December that came with an invite to major-league spring training. In 18 Grapefruit League for with Baltimore, the Dominican native slashed a blistering .413/.426/.674 with four doubles, one triple, two home runs, nine RBIs, nine runs scored, one stolen base, zero walks, and 11 strikeouts over 47 trips to the plate.

Despite those relatively strong numbers, Cordero could not crack the Orioles’ Opening Day roster. As such, he was granted his release from the organization on Monday.

Cordero, who does not turn 29 until September, should provide the Yankees with some experienced depth in the outfield and at first base, if needed. The Red Sox do not play their top division rivals until early June, so it will be interesting to see what kind of role — if any — Cordero has carved out for himself by then. As Jarren Duran put it on Wednesday, “it might be weird seeing him without the beard.”

(Picture of Franchy Cordero: Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)

Red Sox spring roster cuts: Daniel Palka, Caleb Hamilton, and Ronaldo Hernández all reassigned to minor-league camp

The Red Sox subtracted from from their major-league spring training roster on Friday by reassigning three non-roster invitees — first baseman/outfielder Daniel Palka and catchers Caleb Hamilton and Ronaldo Hernandez — to minor-league camp in Fort Myers.

Palka, 31, signed a minor-league deal with the Red Sox last month that came with an invite to major-league camp. The left-handed power hitter has gotten into 19 Grapefruit League games this spring and has batted .263/.356/.395 with two doubles, one home run, seven RBIs, four runs scored, five walks, and nine strikeouts over 45 plate appearances.

Hamilton, 28, was claimed off waivers from the Twins in October and was subsequently outrighted off Boston’s 40-man roster a month later. The right-handed hitter has gone 6-for-17 (.353) at the plate with two doubles, one home run, two RBIs, five runs scored, five walks, and four strikeouts in 15 Grapefruit League games this spring. He has also thrown out one of three possible base stealers from behind the plate.

Hernandez, like Hamilton, was taken off the Red Sox’ 40-man roster over the winter. The 25-year-old backstop, who has been with the organization, since February 2021, has gone just 3-for-20 (.150) with one homer, four RBIs, two runs scored, three walks, and three strikeouts in 12 appearances this spring. From behind the plate, he has thrown out one of five possible base stealers.

All three of Palka, Hamilton, and Hernandez are ticketed to open the 2023 campaign with Triple-A Worcester, where they can provide experienced depth at their respective positions. Palka, for instance, clubbed 26 home runs in 109 games for the Mets’ Triple-A affiliate in Syracuse last year while seeing playing time at first base and both corner outfield spots.

With Friday’s subtractions, the Red Sox now have 38 players remaining at big-league camp. Of those 38 players, four (Jorge Alfaro, Raimel Tapia, Greg Allen, and Niko Goodrum) are in camp as non-roster invitees.

Since there is less than a week to go until Opening Day, the Red Sox have only a few days to get their roster down to 26 players before taking on the Orioles at Fenway Park on March 30.

(Picture of Ronaldo Hernandez: Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)

Red Sox reliever Joely Rodríguez likely to start season on injured list

Red Sox reliever Joely Rodriguez will likely start the season on the injured list, manager Alex Cora said Sunday.

Rodriguez suffered a right side injury in the eighth inning of Saturday’s 9-6 win over the Orioles at JetBlue Park. After throwing his 13th pitch, the left-hander grabbed at his side and left the game with a trainer. He was “groaning in pain as he went to the clubhouse,” according to Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe.

When speaking with reporters (including MLB.com’s Ian Browne) ahead of Sunday’s Grapefruit League contest against the Phillies in Clearwater, Red Sox manager Alex Cora indicated that Rodriguez was dealing with some sort of oblique injury after initially being diagnosed with right torso pain.

“Sore this morning,” Cora said of Rodriguez. “We feel it’s the oblique area, but he’s going to get imaging tomorrow so we’ll know more. It looks like it’s going to be an IL kind of thing. How long? We’ll know more tomorrow.”

Rodriguez, 31, signed a one-year deal with the Red Sox in November that guarantees $2 million and comes with a $4.25 million club option for 2024. The Dominican-born southpaw was expected to be one of Boston’s top left-handed relief options alongside Richard Bleier.

Now that Rodriguez is slated to miss time, the Red Sox will have to look elsewhere if they intend on adding a second lefty to the bullpen mix. On Sunday, Cora identified 32-year-old Ryan Sherriff and 23-year-old Oddanier Mosqueda, who were both at camp as non-roster invitees, as potential internal candidates.

Sherriff, who has allowed one unearned run in 4 2/3 innings of work this spring, has made 44 career relief appearances at the big-league level between the Cardinals (2017-2018) and Rays (2020-2022). Mosqueda, who has allowed one earned run in 5 1/3 innings, has yet to make his major-league debut, though he is coming off a strong 2022 season with Double-A Portland.

“He throws strikes and has deception,” Cora said of Mosqueda. “Analytics-wise, his stuff is really good. He can go multiple innings, too.”

Additionally, Cora ruled out the possibility of using pitching prospects like Brandon Walter and Chris Murphy out of the bullpen, per The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier. The two talented lefties are instead expected to begin the year in Triple-A Worcester’s starting rotation.

If the Red Sox were to look externally for left-handed relief options, then one would have to assume that chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom and Co. are closely monitoring the trade market and waiver wire as Opening Day approaches.

As noted by Browne, though, the club will have a better idea of where things stand with Rodriguez and his injury timeline in the coming days. That, too, will be worth monitoring.

(Picture of Joely Rodriguez: Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)

Red Sox’ Justin Turner steps into batter’s box for first time since being hit in face by pitch

On Friday, Red Sox designated hitter/infielder Justin Turner stepped into a batter’s box for the first time since frighteningly being hit in the face by a pitch on March 6.

Turner, donning a C-flap batting helmet, tracked pitches from teammates Nick Pivetta and Garrett Whitlock during their respective bullpen sessions at the Fenway South complex in Fort Myers.

Though his bat remained on his shoulders the entire time, Friday still marked an important step forward for Turner, who required 16 pitches after taking a Matt Manning fastball to the left side of his face in a Grapefruit League game against the Tigers at JetBlue Park.

Remarkably, Turner did not suffer a concussion or any facial fractures. The 38-year-old only spent a few hours in the hospital and briefly rested at home before rejoining the Red Sox last week. Leading up to Friday’s milestone, he had already resumed light cardio activities (such as running on a treadmill) and is now gearing up for on-field batting practice on Saturday.

“Obviously I want to get out there as soon as I can,” Turner told reporters (including The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier). “So, just making sure I check all the boxes with the staff, the training staff, and the strength guys. As soon as they say go, I’ll be ready to get back out there.”

The Red Sox, as noted by Speier, had wanted Turner to stay out of the sun for extended periods of time to allow the scar on his lip to heal properly.

“Essentially, what I was told is the biggest effect on long-term scarring is being in the sun for many hours,” said Turner, who is also sporting a black eye. “So that’s what I’m trying to avoid and they’re also trying to make sure it fully closes and heals up before I get extended exposure. But I’m sure I’ll have something on it, something covering it up. I’ll look like a lifeguard maybe”

If all goes well on Saturday, Turner could be in line to return to Boston’s starting lineup on Monday — exactly two weeks after he was hit. The Red Sox remain confident that the two-time All-Star will be ready for Opening Day against the Orioles on March 30.

Turner, who signed a one-year deal with the Red Sox in January that comes with $15 million in guaranteed money and a player option for 2024, is not necessarily a fan of the protective C-flap he wore on his helmet while tracking pitches on Friday.

“I don’t like having the visual of it in my sightline,” he explained. “We’re going to find out soon if I really like it or I really don’t like it.”

(Picture of Justin Turner: Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)

Corey Kluber named Red Sox’ Opening Day starter

The Red Sox have named Corey Kluber as their Opening Day starter, manager Alex Cora announced on Wednesday. The two-time Cy Young Award winner will get the ball against the Orioles at Fenway Park on March 30.

Kluber, who turns 37 next month, signed a one-year, $10 million deal with the Red Sox in January that comes with a club option for 2024. Shortly after putting pen to paper, Cora informed the veteran right-hander that he would be starting on Opening Day.

“I talked to him right after orientation meetings — Winter Weekend,” Cora told reporters (including MLB.com’s CJ Haddad). “I gave him a call the next week and said, ‘Hey, you’re going to be my Opening Day starter. So whatever you have to do family-wise, structure-wise, be ready, you’re pitching that day.’ He appreciated that.”

Kluber is coming off a 2022 campaign with the Rays in which he posted a 4.34 ERA and 3.57 FIP with 139 strikeouts to 21 walks over 31 starts spanning 164 innings of work. Prior to that, the three-time All-Star made five consecutive Opening Day starts while with Cleveland from 2015-2019.

Over the weekend, Cora revealed that Chris Sale would not be getting the nod on Opening Day after the left-hander has been mired by injuries in each of the last three seasons. Instead, Sale will get the chance to enjoy the festivities on March 30 (his 34th birthday) as a spectator before making his first start in Boston’s second game against Baltimore on April 1.

“I want him to enjoy Thursday (March 30, Opening Day) as a regular baseball player,” Cora said Sunday. “Just the whole Opening Day thing. Whenever he pitches in the rotation, he’ll pitch in the rotation. But I decided that like a month and a half ago.”

Kluber made his fourth start of the spring against the Rays at JetBlue Park on Wednesday. He will likely make two additional Grapefruit League starts before the Red Sox head north and the 2023 regular season begins.

Beyond Kluber and Sale, how the rest of the Red Sox’ starting rotation will shake out to begin the year is still somewhat of a mystery. With James Paxton (hamstring strain), Brayan Bello (forearm tightness), and Garrett Whitlock (slow buildup after September hip surgery) all candidates to start the season on the injured list, Boston could break camp with Kluber, Sale, Nick Pivetta, Tanner Houck, and Kutter Crawford as its five starters.

“It’s one start,” said Cora. “Obviously, it’s a special one because it’s Opening Day, but after that, I think at one point nobody remembers who was the Opening Day starter. Everybody has to do their part regardless. The five guys are going to start, and then guys are going to join them later on.”

Kluber has often said that Fenway Park is one of his favorite ballparks to pitch in. The Alabama native makes his offseason home in Winchester, Mass. (where his wife, Amanda is from) and will now have the chance to make some lifelong memories later this month.

“I’m excited about [Kluber],” Cora said. ” I know it’s special for his family, and it should be a fun one.”

(Picture of Corey Kluber: Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)

Red Sox’ Justin Turner could be ready for Opening Day: ‘Hopefully he will be with us right away,’ Alex Cora says

Less than a week after frighteningly being hit in the face by a pitch, Justin Turner has rejoined the Red Sox at the Fenway South Complex in Fort Myers.

Turner needed 16 stitches after taking a fastball from Tigers starter Matt Manning off the left side of his face in the first inning of Monday’s Grapefruit League game against the Tigers at JetBlue Park.

Though it left him bloodied and required a trip to the hospital, Turner came away with no facial fractures and all his scans came back clean. After briefly recuperating at home, the 38-year-old infielder/designated hitter was back in Boston’s clubhouse on Wednesday and was doing cardio workouts on Thursday.

“He walked on the treadmill yesterday and felt good,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora told reporters (including MLB.com’s Ian Browne) on Friday. “Same deal today. Just add a little bit more and take it day-by-day.”

Turner, who signed a one-year deal with the Red Sox in January that comes with $15 million in guaranteed money and a player option for 2024, will not be cleared to resume baseball activities until his stiches are removed. That could happen as soon as next week, according to Cora.

Once he does get the stitches removed, the Red Sox will need to make sure Turner is in a good spot not just physically, but mentally as well. Per The Boston Globe’s Julian McWilliams, Turner will get at-bats in live batting practice and in minor-league games on the backfields in an effort to get back up to speed.

So far this spring, Turner has appeared in six Grapefruit League games for Boston. The right-handed hitter has gone 3-for-12 (.250) with one RBI, four runs scored, one walk, and one strikeout in that stretch.

Time will be of the essence once Turner is cleared to take the field again, but the Red Sox are confident that their projected primary designated hitter will be ready for Opening Day against the Orioles on March 30.

“We’ve got plenty of time,” said Cora. “Hopefully he will be with us right away [at the start of the season]. We’ll shoot for that. He’s in good spirits. He’s doing better.”

(Picture of Justin Turner: Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)

After being hit in face by pitch, Red Sox’ Justin Turner tweets: ‘I’m going to be back out on the field as soon as possible!’

After being hit in the face by a pitch in Monday’s Grapefruit League game against the Tigers, Red Sox infielder Justin Turner took to Twitter on Tuesday morning to provide an update on how he was doing.

“Thanks to everyone for all the messages and prayers!” Turner tweeted. “I’m feeling very fortunate to come out of yesterday with no breaks & all my chiclets in tact. The [Red Sox] medical staff and [Lee Health] have been absolutely amazing & I’m going to be back out on the field as soon as possible!”

In the first inning of Monday’s contest at JetBlue Park, Turner took the first pitch he saw from Tigers right-hander Matt Manning — a fastball — off the left side of his face. The 38-year-old immediately fell to the ground and was quickly tended to by Red Sox manager Alex Cora and head trainer Brandon Henry.

Though he was bleeding heavily, Turner was able to get back on his feet under his own power and walked off the field while Henry held a towel to his face. He was then transported via ambulance to a Fort Myers-area hospital, where he received 16 stitches, according to his wife, Kourtney Turner. Kourtney also relayed on Twitter that her husband had a lot of swelling, but he had no fractures and his scans came back clean.

Turner was discharged from the hospital on Monday night and is back at home resting. When speaking with reporters (including The Eagle-Tribune’s Mac Cerullo) on Tuesday afternoon, Cora confirmed that there were no fractures and revealed that chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom visited Turner earlier in the morning.

“We were lucky,” Cora said. “He’s in good spirits, actually Chaim visited him this morning. Obviously the big laceration and the stitches and all that, but besides that … like I said, we’re lucky.”

Cora added that Manning’s pitch hit Turner right next to his nose and right under his left eye. He could not provide a specific timetable for when Turner could return to action, but it sounds like the worst-case scenario has been avoided.

Turner, a veteran of 14 major-league seasons, joined the Red Sox as a free agent in January after a decorated tenure with the Dodgers. The two-time All-Star signed a one-year deal with Boston that guarantees him $15 million and includes a player option for 2024.

With J.D. Martinez leaving the Red Sox for the Dodgers in free agency earlier this winter, Turner is expected to take over as Boston’s primary designated hitter in 2023. As a right-handed hitter, Turner could also complement Triston Casas and Rafael Devers — who both hit from the left side of the plate — and first and third base, respectively.

Since Opening Day (March 30 against the Orioles) is just over three weeks away, Turner’s status will be something worth monitoring as spring training continues.

(Picture of Justin Turner: Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)

Red Sox unveil 2023 schedule: Opening Day is March 30 at Fenway Park

The Red Sox unveiled their schedule for the 2023 regular season on Wednesday afternoon. Unlike past years, the Sox will face off against all 29 other club as part of new, more balanced schedule that was implemented in Major League Baseball’s new collective bargaining agreement.

Rather than playing divisional opponents 19 times per season, the Red Sox will go up against the Blue Jays, Orioles, Rays, and Yankees 13 times per year beginning in 2023. They will also play a total of 46 interleague games against National League clubs, which is up from 20 in 2022.

Opening Day is scheduled for March 30. The Red Sox will open their season with a three-game series against the Orioles at Fenway Park and conclude it with a four-game set against the O’s at Camden Yards in Baltimore.

In between, the Red Sox will be playing the likes of the Pirates, Cardinals, Reds, Rockies, Marlins, Mets, and Dodgers at home and the likes of the Brewers, Phillies, Padres, Diamondbacks, Cubs, Giants, and Nationals on the road. The Braves are the only National League opponent they will be playing at home and on the road.

Among the highlights here are Boston’s second trip to Wrigley Field (July 14-16) in as many years, its first trip to San Francisco (July 28-30) since 2016, and Mookie Betts’ return to Fenway Park when the Dodgers visit from August 25-27.

The Red Sox will not play the Yankees until June 9, when the two sides open a three-game series at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees do not visit Fenway Park until June 16-18. The two teams play again in the Bronx from August 18-20 and conclude their season series in Boston from September 11-14.

As far as road trips are concerned, the longest of the season will take place from May 19-28. It includes stops in San Diego, Anaheim, and Phoenix for a trio of three-game series against the Padres, Angels, and Diamdondbacks.

On the heels of the All-Star break in mid-July, the Red Sox will return to Wrigleyville for a three-game weekend set against the Cubs and will then travel to Oakland for three games with the Athletics. After a five-game homestand against the Mets and Braves, they will return to the west coast to visit the Giants in San Francisco and the Mariners in Seattle.

That takes them into early August, when they will begin their longest homestand of the season: a 10-gamer that consists of three games against the Jays, four against the Royals, and three against the Tigers. Following a three-game series against the Nationals in Washington, D.C., the Red Sox embark upon what may be their toughest stretch of the season.

From August 18-30, the Sox will play the Yankees, Astros, and Dodgers 13 times in 13 days. It stars with three games in the Bronx followed by four in Houston. Boston will then return home for three against Los Angeles (Betts’ homecoming) and three more against Houston.

September begins with six straight on the road against the Royals and Rays. Following a pair of homestands, the Sox’ regular season will end in Baltimore on Sunday, October 1.

In terms of holidays, the Red Sox will be hosting the Angels on Patriots’ Day (April 17), the Cardinals on Mother’s Day (May 14), the Yankees on Father’s Day (June 18), the Rangers on Independence Day (July 4). They are not scheduled to play on Memorial Day (May 29).

All told, the Red Sox are slated to play 162 regular season games in the span of 185 days beginning next March.

(Picture of Fenway Park: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)