Boston Red Sox left-handed pitcher Drew Pomeranz left Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Twins with left triceps tightness.
Drew Pomeranz lasted just two innings in his second start of the spring, leaving for precautionary reasons with left triceps tightness. In four Sping Training innings, he’s given up five earned runs, two homers, walked three and struck out just one.
His departure instantly sparked the fear that he was yet another Red Sox pitcher to succumb to a Spring Training injury. Starter David Price and late-inning reliever Tyler Thornburg are both expected to start the season on the disabled list.
Thankfully though, Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal reported that Red Sox manager John Farrell believes Pomeranz will be alright and not miss any time.
Farrell: Drew Pomeranz reported no symptoms when he arrived this morning. He's on track to throw a bullpen as scheduled and start Friday.
— Brian MacPherson (@brianmacp) March 20, 2017
He dealt with arm issues last season, causing him to miss a start on September 29th at Yankee Stadium. The left forearm tightness he dealt manifest itself in his performance, as he struggled to go more than five innings in any of his September starts. He had a 6.61 ERA in his four games that month. A combination of injury and poor performance pushed him to the bullpen during the club’s postseason series against the Indians. He then required a stem cell injection in his elbow during the offseason.
Still, the Red Sox will need to proceed with caution when evaluating Pomeranz in the coming days. When asked how the team planned on reacting after his departure, Farrell said they were “going to be careful with it.”
With Price expected to miss the start of the season, Pomeranz is currently lined up to be the team’s number five starter. The injury scare is a reminder of how thin the Red Sox rotation depth really is. Should his injury situation undergo any future complications, his ability to start the season on the roster could be in question.
Alex Speier of the Boston Globe believes that the Red Sox could put him on the DL regardless and carry an extra arm in the bullpen.
Clarification re: Pomeranz and Red Sox' need for 5th starter. Season-opening DL stints can be dated to 3/30, w/activation on 4/9. (1/2)
— Alex Speier (@alexspeier) March 20, 2017
By virtue of their off day on April 4, the Red Sox could viably start the season with a four-man rotation. Porcello would be able to make his second start, the team’s fifth game of the season, on regular rest.
Should Pomeranz end up on the DL, veteran righty Kyle Kendrick appears to be next in line for a spot on the roster. In 18 innings this spring he’s collected 16 strikeouts and compiled a 1.50 ERA. He last pitched in the major leagues as a member of the Rockies, when he posted a 6.32 ERA in 27 starts.
His call-up would add an element of complication, however. The Red Sox would need to DFA him after just one start to make room again for Pomeranz, subjecting Kendrick to the waiver wire.
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There’s also the possibility that the team looks for pitching help from outside the organization. There are still a few available starters that the Red Sox could target, notably Doug Fister, Jake Peavy, and Jair Jurrjens.