Red Sox: Five storylines in the first week of March in spring training

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Mar 1, 2017; Sarasota, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Tyler Thornburg (47) throws a pitch during the third inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Fernando Abad and Tyler Thornburg

Some players are historically bad in spring training. Tyler Thornburg has a track record of doing so.

After an underwhelming first part-season in a Red Sox uniform, Fernando Abad has also struggled this spring. After going through his first two outings this spring while only giving up a run, Abad surrender a three-run home run to former Red Sox farmhand Sean Coyle, who’s listed generously at 5’8, 175 pounds.

Thornburg on the other hand, the shining silver to the crown jewel of the Red Sox offseason, had consecutive appearances in which he did not complete the inning. His ERA to start the spring training is a 47.25 with a WHIP of 6.75.

Granted, though, Thornburg has a career track record of historically bad spring trainings, with a 1-5 record to go along with a less-than sparkling 6.79 ERA.

Lastly, expect Thornburg to come back from these issues in his firs season hurling baseballs on Yawkey Way. In last year’s recognizably good season for Thornburg — 8-5, a 2.15 ERA and 90 strikeouts in 67 innings pitched — he had a glaringly bad spring training as well, finishing with a 9.77 ERA.

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