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Projo SoxTalk with McAdam: Doubleheader day; remembering Tony C. »
August 17, 2007
*To make room for today’s starting pitcher, Clay Buchholz, the Red Sox must make a roster move. We just met with manager Terry Francona and he said the club has not made one yet, but something will be announced before the Game 1 of today’s doubleheader.
It is expected Wily Mo Pena will be designated for assignment. The utility outfielder was not seen in the clubhouse this morning.
*It’s no secret Clay Buchholz will make his major-league debut today for the Red Sox. The 23-year-old right-hander will face the Angels in Game 1 of a day/night doubleheader, and he brings with him a lot of anticipation.
“This kid is still on the fast track of development, but it’s a great opportunity today to watch him pitch,” said Francona. “He’s going to pitch and go back down; he knows that. . . His development is not over. That’s not to say he can’t get people out, but he’s still a young kid learning the game. It’s exciting and it’ll be fun to see how he reacts today, but there’s still a lot of development still left.”
*Looking at the previous post with today's lineups, you'll notice Doug Mirabelli will be Buchholz's batterymate today. The simple reason is because today is a doubleheader it does not make sense for Jason Varitek to catch two games, especially at this point of the season.
Mirabelli and Buchholz met at Fenway Park yesterday, the club's off-day, to formulate game plan and play catch. The rookie even threw a couple of pitches off the mound, according to Francona.
Buchholz arrived at the park about an hour ago and looked very comfortable in the clubhouse.
*The Sox still have not named their starter for Sunday, but it's likely it will be Julian Tavarez as Tim Wakefield will be given an extra day off.
Francona was asked why Buchholz today, while Sunday remains TBA.
“When you add a pitcher who is not on your roster, like a Buchholz, whatever he gives you is free innings. We have 18 innings minimum to account for today, and you go with Tavarez and say he goes five, which would be great because it eliminated five our of your bullpen, this gives you an extra pitcher. Plus, it’s a starter to boot going into a doubleheader.”
*Francona was asked this morning how important it is for a rookie to feel accepted by the players, manager and coaches, and how long does that process take?
“Not in an hour,” he said. “I spoke with him yesterday and he understands he’s here for one start.”
The manager explained the importance of meeting all the players, especially all the highly-touted prospects, during the spring training.
Yesterday “I didn’t have to introduce myself,” Francona said. “We were getting reacquainted. This is his first major-league start. He’ll have a ton of butterflies, but he has the best chance possible to show what he can do. He may not, but this is better than him coming in cold, not knowing anybody and feeling like a rental player. This is one start and he’s going back to Triple-A, but we’ve done everything in our power to make him feel comfortable.”
*When Red Sox ace Curt Schilling decides to call it quits, he has the ability to become a NASCAR driver. On my way up to Fenway this morning, Schilling was behind me in his black BMW and when he hit a little bit of traffic on the parkway, he moved to the inside lane and blew by me. I caught every traffic light and he was no where to be seen. I asked him about his driving when I got to the clubhouse, and wasn't surprised when, again, he blew me off.
Posted by Joe McDonald 
at 11:01 AM | Permalink
