Red Sox push Nathan Eovaldi’s start back with trade deadline approaching

Nathan Eovaldi is unlikely to pitch again for the Red Sox before Monday’s trade deadline.

Manager Ron Roenicke made the announcement Friday after the Sox’ 10-2 defeat to the Nationals.

Eovaldi was supposed to start on Sunday but has been dealing with a cramp in his right calf. He threw a bullpen session on Friday, but the Sox don’t want to push him too fast.

“Actually today was the best day he’s had off the mound but he still feels it,” Roenicke said. “So we’re going to push him back further and make sure when he goes out there when he throws a bullpen we don’t have any issues. But it was encouraging that he’s getting better with this. And the bullpen actually I went out and looked at it, and it looked pretty good. But because he feels it, our decision with (trainer Brad Pearson) and talking about it is to push him back.”

Zack Godley will start in his place on Sunday.

It’s possible the Sox are being careful with Eovaldi ahead of the trade deadline.

The 30-year-old is in the second year of a four-year, $68-million contract that’ll pay him $17 million per year for two more seasons after 2020. He’s thrown just 102 innings with a 5.65 ERA in two seasons since signing the deal.

It’s uncertain what kind of trade value he’d have, especially considering many in MLB are bracing for teams to tighten their pocketbooks after the pandemic-shortened season and might not be eager to take on that kind of salary without the Sox eating a large chunk.

The Sox acquired Eovaldi on an expiring deal from the Rays in 2018 in exchange for lefty Jalen Beeks, who is dominating with the Rays this year. Beeks has 26 strikeouts to just four walks in 19-1/3 innings with a 3.26 ERA.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/31Djfq7