The Boston Red Sox will officially begin their spring training schedule Thursday afternoon in Fort Myers when they host two Boston schools in their annual college doubleheader.
The first game, against Northeastern, will feature the more recognizable Red Sox roster of the two.
The official lineups had not yet been posted as of Wednesday morning, but Xander Bogaerts, Jonathan Herrera, Will Middlebrooks, Mike Napoli, David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia, Jonny Gomes, Jackie Bradley Jr., Mike Carp and Grady Sizemore are all expected to suit up for Game 1, according to The Boston Globe’s Peter Abraham.
The Sox will then field a team of prospects and up-and-comers for Game 2 against Boston College.
The team’s top two catchers, David Ross and A.J. Pierzynski, are not listed on the roster for either game, according to Abraham. Dan Butler, who spent last season in Pawtucket, and Ryan Lavarnway will handle catching duties for Game 1, with Blake Swihart and Christian Vasquez splitting time behind the plate in Game 2.
Swihart and Vasquez are the Red Sox’s 10th- and 15th-ranked prospects, respectively, according to MLB.com.
As for pitchers, Brandon Workman, Henry Owens, Noe Ramirez and Burke Badenhop are scheduled to go for the Sox against the Huskies. Rubby De La Rosa, Matt Barnes, Miguel Celestino, Tommy Layne and Alex Wilson will take the mound against BC.
Game 1 is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. Thursday at JetBlue Park, with Game 2 set to follow at 4:05 p.m.
