Red Sox wrap up Grapefruit League slate with blowout loss to Twins

And that’s a wrap.

The Red Sox concluded their Grapefruit League season Sunday with a 9-3 loss to the Minnesota Twins, finishing 15-12 on the spring while drawing their fellow Fort Myers dwellers 3-3 in the Chairman’s Cup. Boston will now break camp and fly down to Mexico for two more exhibitions against Sultanes de Monterrey before opening the season in Texas on Thursday.

While most of the remaining roster decisions have largely been finalized, Sunday offered manager Alex Cora one last look at the remaining contenders.

Kristian Campbell once again got the start at second base, his third consecutive start to finish camp. The rookie went 0 for 2 with a walk but appears to have the inside track at starting the season on the Opening Day roster. Marcelo Mayer faces longer odds to make the team, but he also capped off his excellent spring in style by drawing two walks, including one with the bases loaded, after subbing in for Campbell in the seventh.

Mayer batted .333 with three extra-base hits and a .983 OPS in 20 Grapefruit League games.

Rafael Devers, who looks set to enter the season as the everyday DH, finished his abbreviated Grapefruit League season on a high note by going 2 for 3 with an RBI. Trevor Story went 1 for 3, Ceddanne Rafaela went 1 for 2 and Wilyer Abreu went 0 for 4 with an RBI groundout.

Buehler sick

Walker Buehler was originally scheduled to pitch Boston’s Grapefruit League finale, but according to MassLive’s Chris Cotillo, Cora told reporters prior to the game that the right-hander was sick and would pitch on the back fields Monday instead.

Cooper Criswell got the start against the Twins in his place, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits with one strikeout. Garrett Whitlock was the only other big leaguer who got into the game, allowing three runs on four hits with four strikeouts over 1.2 innings.

Five minor leaguers combined to pitch the remaining 5.1 innings, collectively allowing four runs on 11 hits and a walk.

Priester optioned

Shortly after the first pitch, the Red Sox announce they’d optioned right-hander Quinn Priester to minor league camp. Priester was among those in contention for the last spot in the starting rotation, and with the move it appears former Middleborough High star Sean Newcomb is now in prime position to make the Opening Day roster.

Priester was originally acquired at the trade deadline last summer in exchange for former first-round pick Nick Yorke. The 24-year-old made four Grapefruit League starts this spring, posting a 4.82 ERA over 9.1 innings with seven walks and nine strikeouts, and he also allowed opposing batters to hit .359.

Coming up next

Following Sunday’s game the Red Sox will fly down to Mexico for a two-game exhibition series against Sultanes de Monterrey. Richard Fitts is expected to start the first of those games on Monday, and minor leaguer Shane Drohan is scheduled to start the second on Tuesday. First pitch Monday is 9:10 p.m. ET and the game will be broadcast on NESN, NESN 360 and WEEI 93.7 FM.

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