Red Sox: David Price making strides

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher David Price threw 45 pitches in a bullpen session today at Fenway Park

After a really slow start, Sox fans can breathe a sigh of relief as the big acquisition before 2016 is back on track. David Price who hasn’t thrown one inning this year looks to be coming back in a few weeks although there is still no clear timeline for his return. Price was complaining of fatique and a dead arm during spring training and as of today things are looking good.

Price threw a 45 pitch bullpen session today at Fenway Park and the signs are pointing in the right direction. Price last threw 45 pitches on Friday as well. What looked like a situation where Price was going to be shut down before the season started now looks promising. Price will join Chris Sale and Rick Porcello as the elite starters in Boston. With Price potentially coming back in a few weeks, the Sox won’t have to worry about Steven Wright being handed the ball. At this point, anyone else looks like a better option.

The next step for Price will be to throw batting practice. We’re all keeping our fingers crossed now. On April 22nd, the Sox had Wright on the mound and he once again got destroyed. Not nearly as bad as his last appearance against the O’s but just the same, it wasn’t pretty. Wright lasted just 3 2/3’s innings and the man who came in to relieve him, Heath Hembree, pitched lights out. If only we could get Hembree to start.

While I don’t think he’ll start a game, he gave his best Chris Devenski impression and is turning into the new reliever that is able to pitch multiple dominating. His last two appearances have gone for 2+ innings. Devenski started the season with two four inning relief appearances including a victory. The Sox have the day off tonight and will look forward to playing the Yankees Tuesday night at Fenway for a three game series.

 

Photo Credit – Matt Stone