FORT MYERS, Fla. — Boston Red Sox pitchers and catchers officially reported to spring training Friday. On Saturday, it was out to the back fields at JetBlue Park, where players participated in various drills.
Saturday’s sights and sounds weren’t really unfamiliar, as many players reported to Fort Myers well before Friday’s mandatory start date. However, the day provided an opportunity to see several Red Sox pitchers in action alongside each other.
Clay Buchholz, Rick Porcello, Wade Miley, Eduardo Rodriguez and Anthony Varvaro comprised one of Saturday’s groups. Buchholz, Porcello and Miley, of course, are expected to begin the season in Boston’s starting rotation. Rodriguez likely will report to Triple-A Pawtucket, though his time is coming, and Varvaro is competing for a spot in the Red Sox’s bullpen.
Buchholz, Porcello and Miley threw to catchers Ryan Hanigan, Christian Vazquez and Blake Swihart, respectively, during Saturday’s bullpen sessions. Vazquez (starter) and Hanigan (backup) both are slated for major league roles, while Swihart, one of the top prospects in Major League Baseball, is expected to begin the season as Pawtucket’s starting catcher.
