FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Boston Red Sox held their fifth full-squad workout of spring training at JetBlue Park on Monday.
Much of the buzz at Monday’s workout centered on Koji Uehara, who threw his first live batting practice session of camp. Uehara faced Dustin Pedroia and Mike Napoli, each of whom took some hearty cuts against the Red Sox closer.
Below are some notes from Monday’s workout, in case you were out running errands or something.
-Uehara insisted Monday that nothing has changed since his incredible 2013 season. While that’s hard to believe, Uehara stuck to his guns when pressed on the subject.
-Uehara also said he believes last season’s increased workload won’t be an issue this season and that he hasn’t changed his preparation despite entering camp as Boston’s closer this year.
“I feel that I still have to earn [my job], so I’m just preparing accordingly in that position,” Uehara said through translator C.J. Matsumoto.
-Grady Sizemore will be in the Red Sox’s lineup Thursday afternoon, according to manager John Farrell. The Red Sox are playing a doubleheader against Northeastern and Boston College.
-Daniel Nava is experiencing some discomfort in his neck area. He’s expected to resume swinging a bat Tuesday, but it’s unclear at this point if he’ll play in the Red Sox’s doubleheader Thursday.
-Brock Holt and Brandon Snyder are very much a part of the Red Sox’s third base mix, according to Farrell. The Red Sox, however, are placing an emphasis on Holt playing shortstop this spring.
It’s reasonable to expect both players will begin the year at Triple-A Pawtucket.
-Red Sox pitchers faced comebackers during a rag ball drill in one of the bullpens at Fenway South. The groups kept things loose throughout the drill.
-Jake Peavy, who threw live BP on Monday, is still receiving treatment on his right ring finger. The ailment doesn’t appear to be much of an issue, though.
“We feel like he’s going to be right in line,” Farrell said.
-Dalier Hinojosa currently is viewed as a reliever, but the Red Sox aren’t limiting the 28-year-old’s long-term role.
-Felix Doubront has been a bright spot this spring, further proving that something clicked last October, when the left-hander surprisingly came up big in the World Series.
Doubront showed up to camp in better shape than previous years, and Farrell said Monday that the Red Sox are working toward eliminating the peaks and valleys that plagued the 26-year-old last season.
-The Venezuelan players in camp — Doubront, Edward Mujica, Jonathan Herrera, Jose Mijares, Brayan Villarreal and Heiker Meneses — showed support for their native country and encouraged peace by posing for a photo with the Venezuelan flag before Monday’s workout.
Venezuela, of course, is dealing with violent protests that have left more than 10 dead and more than 100 injured.
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