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Red Sox bullpen has three spots up for grabs for Opening Day roster

By Sean Penney

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 26: Matt Barnes #32 of the Boston Red Sox delivers the pitch during the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game Three of the 2018 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 26, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 26: Matt Barnes #32 of the Boston Red Sox delivers the pitch during the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game Three of the 2018 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 26, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 21: Pitcher Jenrry Mejia #58 of the New York Mets throws to a Washington Nationals batter in the seventh inning of the Mets 7-2 win at Nationals Park on July 21, 2015 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

That leaves eight relievers to fill the final three spots. The candidates are Colten Brewer, Bobby Poyner, Tyler Thornton, Marcus Walden, Jenrry Mejia, Hector Velazquez, Darwinzon Hernandez, and Durbin Feltman.

Let’s do this by process of elimination.

A strong spring has everyone excited about Hernandez. He’s allowed only one run and tallied 12 strikeouts over 11 innings while making a pair of starts and four relief appearances. Hernandez showed why he’s the top pitching prospect in the Red Sox farm system. He also showed why he needs a bit more polishing in the minors. The talented lefty walked eight batters, including three in his last appearance. The 22-year old shouldn’t be expected to work on those control issues at the big league level, especially when he has a mere six innings at Double-A under his belt.

Hernandez has the upside to be a very good starting pitcher so the Red Sox can’t risk hindering that development by rushing him to their bullpen. He should open the year in Portland’s rotation and work his way up to Pawtucket. If he dominates at those levels, Boston can consider making room for him in their bullpen in the second half of the season to help keep his innings total in check.

Feltman has been pegged by many as the closer of the future but the future hasn’t arrived yet. 2 2/3 scoreless innings this spring isn’t enough to accelerate that timeline. Feltman has only 23 1/3 innings of pro experience, all of which came in A-ball last year. The 2018 third-round pick has the ability to fly through the system but the leap from a short stay in Salem all the way to Boston is unrealistic.

When asked if anyone from minor league camp had a chance to make the Opening Day roster, Cora mentioned Mejia as a possibility. That’s a bit surprising considering the right-hander hasn’t appeared in the majors since 2015. A third failed drug test resulted in a lifetime ban that MLB overturned to allow him to return but he has to earn his way back. I don’t think he’s shown enough this spring to deserve the opportunity.

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