Colten Brewer impresses in Red Sox scrimmage – The Boston Globe

Brewers curveball had a lot of depth, most notably getting Jonathan Lucroy to chase for Brewers only strikeout.

As the Sox look to remedy their depleted pitching staff, Brewer, in some fashion, has been mentioned as part of the antidote. The Sox will likely use an opener in the fifth spot in the rotation, and possibly the fourth. Though its uncertain how the Sox will use Brewer, hes considered someone who can eat up innings, perhaps as the pitcher who follows an opener.

I feel really good with him coming in [after the opener] and giving us three, four innings, Roenicke said. Thats something we just have to figure out.

Roenicke noted that Brewer would offer a different look from an opener.

If youre used to the bullpen, you know you have not much heads-up of when you come into a game and when you get loose, Roenicke said. Thats different when the day before you know youre going to be that guy, so that night youre anxious about it. We just have to figure out who those guys are.

When it comes to who might be the opener(s), Roenicke said hes met with the front office and they have some pitchers in mind, though Roenicke wouldnt disclose them.

Workmans struggles

Brandon Workman was recently named the closer heading into this abbreviated season, a role in which he found success last year. Workman struck out 104 batters in 71 innings in 2019, allowing just 29 hits and posting a 1.88 ERA with 16 saves.

In this camp, however, Workman has struggled, and those struggles continued Thursday. He allowed three straight hits, including a double off the Green Monster that drove in Lucroy. Another run scored on a ball in the dirt that got by catcher Kevin Plawecki. With two outs in the inning, Workman walked Alex Verdugo. He failed to record the final out after reaching his pitch limit.

Despite Workmans hiccups, Roenicke isnt worried.

I dont want to say its never a concern, but we know what he did last year, Roenicke said. He threw the ball well the first camp we had in Florida, so I dont expect there to be anything different. Its just, right now, hes missed location and our hitters right now arent missing anything.

Coming along

Plawecki had to learn and then relearn the pitching staff after spring training was shut down. After spending much of his career with the Mets, and then the Indians in 2019, there was a learning curve. Plawecki also was trying to make an impression, battling with Lucroy for the backup catcher spot behind Christian Vasquez.

Though Lucroy has remained consistent throughout baseballs reboot, Plawecki is beginning to come along, too, adding two hits in the scrimmage.

It kind of clicked for me timing-wise again, said Plawecki, who got off to a slow start in summer camp. I feel back to where I was in spring. Its a good feeling. Im seeing the ball well. I just want to continue to have good at-bats.

Theres a chance the Red Sox could keep both Lucroy and Plawecki, with Lucroy getting some playing time at first base, too.

Its always good to have depth, Plawecki said. Whoever is back there, the goal is to win that day, especially in a shortened season. We have a good group of guys.

Tent city

The Red Sox built tents adjacent to both dugouts that will be utilized by players and coaches so they can socially distance during games. Just nine players and three coaches will be allowed in each dugout at a time, so the Sox spent this week building the structures. On Thursday, the team took even more precautions, removing some of the seats in the tent area so players and coaches could spread out more The start time for tomorrows scrimmage has been moved to 7 p.m. Ryan Weber turned in a solid outing, tossing five innings and allowing two runs, on a Rafael Devers homer. Weber threw 82 pitches, 53 for strikes According to a major league source, Josh Ockimey and Bobby Poyner are expected to be added to the Sox player pool and be assigned to Pawtucket. Friday is assignment day and major league sources have previously confirmed five other additions to the pool: Jeter Downs, Tanner Houck, Bryan Mata, Jarren Duran, and Jason Groome.

Alex Speier of the Globe staff contributed to this report.

Julian McWilliams can be reached at julian.mcwilliams@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @byJulianMack

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Colten Brewer impresses in Red Sox scrimmage - The Boston Globe

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