Red Sox notes: Jason Varitek dons catcher’s uniform again as coaching role increases

Jason Varitek was in a familiar position Friday morning on the fields behind JetBlue Park, crouched down and dressed in a full catcher’s uniform, catching bullpens from Red Sox pitchers.

Of course, those moments are now rare for Varitek, who retired following the 2011 season. But after spending most of his post-playing career behind the scenes within the Red Sox organization, Varitek’s role has become more prominent. He was a special assistant catching coach last season, and when Alex Cora was rehired as manager this offseason, Varitek was named to the coaching staff, where he’s now the game-planning coordinator.

With a heavy day of bullpens coming Sunday and games beginning soon, the former Red Sox captain is helping out in any way he can early in camp. On Friday, that meant putting his gear on and getting a little dirty again.

“For him, the willingness for him to do anything for us, that’s what makes him special and I’m glad that he’s with us as a coach,” Cora said.

Friday seems to be a sign of things to come with how involved Varitek will be on the coaching staff. With first-year bench coach Will Venable still adjusting, Cora wants his coaching staff to help support him. That includes Varitek, who will work closely with catchers Christian Vázquez and Kevin Plawecki but also help wherever there’s a need for him.

“He’s still the captain,” Cora said. “He walks around and there’s a presence about him. Just like (Dustin) Pedroia, this is a guy that when he talks, people listen. I’m glad that he’s here with me. He’s been here with me the whole time and I think this experience is going to help him out for the future. Like I said in November, I hope all these guys around me (his coaching staff), they become big-league managers. All of them. That would be great.”

Varitek’s name has already been floated as a future manager. He reportedly interviewed for the Mariners’ opening in 2015, and he told The Athletic last November that it’s his hope to manage one day. When that comes, he’ll certainly have Cora’s approval.

“He will manage in the big leagues,” Cora said. “He will. But it’s a process, and we talked about it. I think in time, somebody is going to give him a chance and he’s gonna kill it. He’s gonna be great.”

‘Best day’

Cora couldn’t help but soak in what he was seeing during camp on Friday as he watched his players go through drills and bullpens. It was a significant day on multiple levels for the manager, who has certainly been cherishing his second chance to lead the Red Sox.

“I gotta be honest with you, today was one of those days I envisioned in the offseason,” Cora said. “This is why I’m back. That was awesome. Awesome. You had machines everywhere, we were working on a lot of stuff. It was gratifying, to be honest with you. I was like, ‘Wow, this is cool.’ This is what we worked on together in the offseason, to have days like this. I’m going to tell the group, that was the best day of spring training so far. And we’ve been solid so far, but today was amazing. It was cool to see.”

News & notes

Cora said that new relief pitcher Hirokazu Sawamura, whose arrival to camp has been delayed as he waits for visa approval from Japan, should be reporting to Fort Myers in less than a week. But he later clarified during his appearance on WEEI’s “Ordway, Merloni & Fauria” that Sawamura will be flying from Japan to Fort Myers on Saturday.

Once he arrives, Sawamura will have to take a physical and go through intake screening before he begins working out. Sawamura has continued to do work while in Japan.

“He should be fine as far as his progression,” Cora said. “He’s doing his work, so he should be OK when he gets here. … I don’t know where he’s doing it, but he’s sending videos and all that. He’s doing work. He’s putting work in right now.”

On WEEI, Cora said that Eduardo Rodriguez is expected to pitch two innings in a simulated game on Saturday. He also said that center field prospect Jarren Duran will likely start in the Red Sox’ spring training opener on Sunday against the Twins.

The Red Sox announced that spring training tickets for all 15 of their home games at JetBlue Park have already been sold out after going on sale at noon on Friday, marking the 10th consecutive season that they’ve sold out all their spring home games since the park opened in 2012. This spring’s games will operate at 24% of normal capacity due to the pandemic.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/2MsN484