
Red Sox sweep Monterrey in final tune up before Opening Day
From this point on, they all count.
The Red Sox concluded their exhibition season Tuesday night with a 12-8 win over Sultanes de Monterrey, sweeping the two-game series in Mexico to wrap up a successful spring.
Rob Refsnyder and David Hamilton each had three-run home runs in the win, Marcelo Mayer went 3 for 4 with three RBI, and Kristian Campbell had a two-run home run to help pace the offense. Roman Anthony drove in a run as well, and 10 Red Sox pitchers collectively took the mound, the majority being minor leaguers.
Boston will now fly to Texas to gear up for Thursday’s season opener, but prior to Tuesday’s spring finale manager Alex Cora shed light on a few of the remaining roster questions leading into the season.
According to MLB.com’s Ian Browne, Cora told reporters pregame that Aroldis Chapman has won the Red Sox closer job and will pitch the majority of the time in the ninth inning. Cora said Liam Hendriks could occasionally pitch the ninth as well if Chapman is ever needed earlier in a high-leverage spot, and that Justin Slaten and Garrett Whitlock could get the ball in the ninth as well.
Cora also announced that Zack Kelly and Greg Weissert have both made the Opening Day roster, leaving one spot remaining in the bullpen. That spot is expected to come down to either left-hander Brennan Bernardino or right-hander Cooper Criswell.
As far as injury updates, Cora told reporters that outfielder Wilyer Abreu is “100 percent” good to go for Opening Day and will be with the team in Texas despite getting a late start in camp due to a viral gastrointestinal illness.
He also said that X-rays came back negative for Triston Casas, who was held out of Tuesday’s lineup as a precaution after the first baseman attempted to barehand a hard hit ball during Monday’s game.
Utility man Romy Gonzalez, who suffered a minor oblique injury last week, is also expected to be ready by Opening Day. Gonzalez can play every position on the field other than catcher and would likely be the primary backup for Casas at first base.