Red Sox Injury Update: Alex Cora Gives Odds On When Starters Will Return

Wondering who’s going to pitch fourth in the Red Sox’s rotation? You’re not alone.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora announced Tuesday that Chris Sale will take the ball on Opening Day next Thursday against the Rays at Tropicana Field. He’ll be followed by David Price and Rick Porcello, who will start Boston’s second and third games on Friday and Saturday, respectively, against Tampa Bay.

After that, it’s unclear who will start next Sunday, April 1, as Drew Pomeranz (forearm), Steven Wright (knee) and Eduardo Rodriguez (knee) all have been dealing with injuries during spring training. Cora placed odds on the injured starters being ready for the first turn through the rotation, though.

Here’s what Cora said about each injured starter Wednesday while speaking with reporters in Fort Myers, Fla., per Chris Mason of The Eagle-Tribune.

On Wright: “Fifty-fifty. With him, (Thursday) is a big day again for him. He’s going out there four innings after that.”

On Rodriguez: “It’s less than 50 percent.”

On Pomeranz: “That’s a long shot. He’s going two (innings) and what’s today, the next day, Friday, he’s going two (innings) in a minor league game so that’s kind of a reach.”

Brian Johnson, who’s out of minor league options, likely will start Boston’s fifth game on Monday, April 2, as it’ll be played in a National League ballpark against the Miami Marlins and Cora would prefer to not have Rodriguez or Wright potentially running the bases while coming off knee injuries. Sale then would pitch again Tuesday, April 3, on normal rest before the Red Sox’s first off-day Wednesday, April 4.

It’ll also be interesting to see what happens when everyone is healthy. Wright, like Johnson, is out of minor league options, so Cora will need to figure out what to do with those two pitchers, assuming the long-term plan is to have a rotation comprised of Sale, Price, Porcello, Pomeranz and Rodriguez.