PawSox Notebook: Rehabbing at McCoy

Ryan L. Fox

Welcome PawSox fans of all ages to WBOB’s PawSox notebook. Well the big news down in Pawtucket is the fact that there’s a laser show going on. Yes that’s right, Boston Red Sox second baseman and the 2008 AL MVP Dustin Pedroia is doing a rehab assignment with the team. However he isn’t the only Red Sox as RHPs Tyler Thornburg and Austin Maddox are doing their own rehab assignment with the team. How has the team performed with all these rehabbing Red Sox? Let’s find out.

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What’s Been Going On Lately
The PawSox continued their weekend series against the Syracuse Chiefs up in Syracuse, New York. After getting that much needed 12-2 victory during the first game of the series, the PawSox went into Saturday night’s game looking to build off of that offensive outburst.
 
The PawSox jumped out to an early 3-0 lead thanks in part to RBIs by CF Rusney Castillo, 1B Sam Travis, and 3B Jordan Betts. Betts would have had 2 RBIs in the inning but C Mike Ohlman was thrown out at the plate. The PawSox were able to add an extra run in the top of the 4th thanks to an RBI single by 2B Ivan De Jesus Jr. to push it to 4-0. However the Chiefs were able to tack on 2 runs in the bottom of the 4th thanks to a double by C Tuffy Gosewisch that drove in 2 Chiefs runs to make it 4-2. After the PawSox got a run in the top of the 5th to make it 5-2, the Chiefs scored 3 runs in the bottom of the 5th to tie things up at 5-5. Then in the bottom of the 9th inning with the bases loaded, PawSox RHP Ryan Brasier ended up walking Chiefs SS Matt Reynolds to drive in Chiefs CF Rafael Bautista for the game-winning run as the final score was 6-5 in favor of the home team.
 
Then the following game, the PawSox offense was almost nowhere to be seen. They could only manage just 1 run in 7 innings against Chiefs SP Edwin Jackson while the Chiefs knocked around all the PawSox pitchers for 9 runs on 16 hits as the final score was 9-1.
 
The PawSox then head back to McCoy on May 14 to host a 3-game home series against the Buffalo Bisons. They were joined by none other than Boston Red Sox 2B Dustin Pedroia on a rehab assignment as he played in the series opener. With SP Jalen Beeks on the mound, the PawSox were able to hold the Bisons to just 2 runs while taking 3 of their own to make it 3-2 heading into the later innings.
 
However RHP Tyler Thornburg, who rejoined the team to continue his injury rehab assignment, ended up giving up 2 runs in the top of the 8th inning as the Bisons jumped out 4-3. However a costly fielding error by Bisons SS Gift Ngoepe gifted the PawSox the tying run as the game went into extra innings. The Bisons got a run in the top of the 10th inning to go up 5-4, but the PawSox were able to tie it up thanks to an RBI double by C Dan Butler to make it 5-5. Butler was then pinched-run for by INF Mike Miller as he was driven in by SS Tzu-Wei Lin for the game winning run as the PawSox beat the Bisons 6-5.
 
After their Tuesday game was rained out, the PawSox and Bisons met in the late morning on Wednesday, May 16, for the series finale. Like the Monday night game, it was a see-saw affair. The Bisons jumped out on PawSox SP William Cuevas, hammering for 3 runs in the top of the 1st. However home runs by 1B Sam Travis and C Mike Ohlman help lead the PawSox to a 4-3 lead after three innings of play. The Bisons were able to tie things up at 4-4 thanks to an RBI sac fly by CF Roemon Fields as then the teams went into a scoreless drought for the next 4 innings. Then in the top of the 9th inning, the Bisons were able to get a sac fly RBI by RF Dalton Pompey off of PawSox LHP Ryan Brasier to go up 5-4. But with two outs in the bottom of the 9th, the PawSox loaded up the bases and were poised for another late-inning victory. However RF Rusney Castillo ended up flying out to center for the finale out as the Bisons eeked out a 5-4 victory.
 
Following a day off on Thursday, the PawSox traveled back up to Rochester, New York, for another 3-game weekend series against the Rochester Red Wings. Pedroia ended up playing in the first game of the series on Friday, May 18, this time batting as DH and playing for the entire game. He was also joined by Boston Red Sox RHP Austin Maddox, who was making his first rehab appearance in that game as well.
 
PawSox SP Chandler Shepherd was able to limit the Red Wings batters to just 2 runs for the entire game, including a solo home in the 4th inning by Red Wings C Willians Astudillo. However the PawSox offense could not give Shepherd the support as they were limited to 4 hits and 0 runs for the entire game by Red Wings pitchers as the team lost 2-0.
 
Where They Stand
As of right now, the PawSox have fallen into last place the International League North with a record of 17-20 (.459). They are 3.5 games back behind the divisional leading Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs, who are sitting at 21-17 (.553). They are sporting a 9-8 record at home while 8-12 on the road and have gone 2-8 in their last 10 games.

In the Wild Card Standings, the PawSox are 3.0 games behind the Rochester Red Wings, who currently have a record of 19-16 (.543).
 
Just the Stats Jack
The following statistics are from players currently playing on the PawSox Triple-A squad as of 4/21. This excludes players who were called up, traded, currently on the disabled list, or currently on the temporary inactive list.
 
At the Plate
(*=min. 50 at-bats)
- 1B/3B Mike Olt leads the team in extra base hits (XBH) (12), runs scored (17), walks drawn (24), and on-base percentage (OBP) (.404)*. He is tied with teammate C Mike Ohlman for team lead in home runs (4)
- Ohlman is tied with 1B/3B Jordan Betts in team lead in on-base plus slugging (OPS) (.896)*
- Betts leads the team in batting average (.306)* and slugging percentage (SLG) (.542)
- OF Rusney Castillo leads the team in games played (36), at-bats (154), hits (47), RBIs (18), batting average (.333), total bases (58), stole bases (5), strikeouts (30), and batting average (.306)*
 
Start You Pitchers
(*= min. 20.0 IP)
- SP Justin Haley leads all starters in losses (4) and walks allowed (13). He is tied with teammates SP William Cuevas, SP Jalen Beeks, and SP Chandler Shepherd in leading all starters in appearances (7) and games started (7)
- Shepherd, Cuevas, and Beeks are all tied for team lead in hit batsmen (2) while Shepherd and Beeks are tied for team lead in wins (2)
- Beeks leads all starters in ERA (1.93)*, strikeouts (59), strikeouts per 9 innings (14.3)*, opposing batting average (.191)*, and WHIP (0.96)*.
- Cuevas leads all starters in innings pitched (37.2) and no-decisions (4)

Outta Da Pen
(*= min. 7 appearances)
- RHP Kyle Martin leads the bullpen in wins (3), walks allowed (11), and opposing batting average (.174)*
- RHP Ryan Brasier leads the bullpen in losses (4) and games finished (12). He is also tied with teammate LHP Robby Scott for bullpen lead in game appearances (14)
- Scott leads the bullpen in in ERA (2.45)* and WHIP (1.00)*
- RHP Brandon Workman leads the bullpen in holds (4)
- RHP Ty Buttrey leads the bullpen in hit batsmen (2), strikeouts (30), and strikeouts per 9 innings (15.9)
- LHP William Jerez leads the bullpen in saves (3)
- LHP Josh Smith leads the bullpen in innings pitched (22.0)
 
Player Movement
The following team transaction took place from May 12 to May 19
 
May 12, 2018
- Removed 1B Sam Travis from the 7-day disabled list
- Sent INF Jantzen Witte to Portland (AA)
 
May 14, 2018
- Received 2B Dustin Pedroia from Boston (MLB) to begin 20-day MLB injury rehab assignment after
- Received RHP Tyler Thornburg from Portland (AA) to continue his MLB injury rehab assignment
- Sent RHP Steven Wright to Boston (MLB) upon completion of rehab assignment
- Received OF Cole Sturgeon from Portland (AA)
- Released OF/DH Jeremy Barfield
 
May 15, 2018
- Removed RHP Fernando Rodriguez from the 7-day disabled list
- Sent LHP Bobby Poyner to Boston (MLB)
 
May 17, 2018
- Removed LHP Tommy Layne from the disabled list before releasing him outright
 
May 18, 2018
- Received RHP Austin Maddox from Boston (MLB) to begin 30-day MLB injury rehab assignment (right shoulder strain)
 
Rehab Watch
 
Currently With Pawtucket
As of right now, there are 3 Boston Red Sox players on the current PawSox roster for a rehab assignment.
 
First you have 2B Dustin Pedroia doing his first rehab assignment down in Pawtucket. Pedroia has spent nearly a quarter of the 2018 MLB on the disabled after undergoing cartilage restoration surgery in his left knee during spring training. He made his PawSox debut on Monday, May 14, against the Buffalo Bisons, playing second base and batting third in the lineup. He only played in 5 innings, going 1-for-3 with a run scored before being lifted for Jordan Betts in the top of the 6th inning. Pedroia was scheduled to appear in the following Tuesday game and scheduled for 7 innings but the game was postponed due to weather.
 
Pedroia played in his next game on Friday, May 18, against the Rochester Red Wings in Rochester, New York. He ended up playing the full game as designated hitter, batting second while going 0-for-2, 2 BB, for the entire game. In two rehab games with the PawSox, Pedroia has for 1-for-5 with 2 walks and 1 run scored.
 
Then you have RHP Tyler Thornburg rejoining the team to continue his rehab assignment. Thornburg appeared back with the PawSox on April 30 to begin his first rehab assignment with the team as he was recovering from right shoulder thoracic outlet surgery he had during the offseason. He appeared in 3 games with the PawSox before transferring to Portland (AA) to continue his rehab. After 2 games with the Sea Dogs, Thornburg rejoined the team back on May 14. He has appeared in 2 games since then, going 1.1 innings pitched, giving up 3 hits, 2 runs (both earned), striking out 1 batter and walking another on 38 pitches (23 for strikes). Overall in his two rehab stints, Thornburg has appeared in 5 games, pitching a total of 4.0 innings, giving up 5 hits, 3 runs (2 earned), walking 3 batters, striking 6 more, have an ERA of 4.50, a WHIP of 1.32,
 
Finally, the newest Boston Red Sox to join up with the PawSox for a rehab assignment is RHP Austin Maddox. Like Pedroia and Thornburg, Maddox was put on the 10-day disabled list before the season began with a right shoulder strain. After training and throwing in simulated games, Maddox got his first game experience back on May 18 against the Rochester Red Wings. He threw for 1.0 inning, facing 4 batters while giving up 1 hit and striking out 1. That has been his only game appearance.
 
Previously Rehab Stints with Pawtucket
- SP Drew Pomeranz (April 8 - April 10)
- SS Xander Bogaerts (April 24 - April 27)
- RHP Tyler Thornburg (April 30 - May 7)
- INF/OF Brock Holt (May 7 - May 8)

Upcoming Games
The PawSox will be continuing their weekend series against the Rochester Red Wings with a Saturday evening game on May 19 at 6:35 p.m. EST and then a Sunday matinee the following Sunday on May 13 at 1:05 p.m. EST. After Sunday, the team will then back to McCoy for a season high 9-game home stand.
 
Up first will be a 3-game series against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Railriders May 21 to May 24 for the third series of the year, the second series at McCoy. The last time these two teams met at McCoy, the PawSox ended up sweeping the two games weekend series back on May 5th and May 6th during ‘Evil Empire’ weekend. Currently the PawSox hold a 3-1 season series against the RailRiders.
 
After that, the PawSox will host the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs for their third meeting of the year, the second at McCoy. They will be playing from May 25-28, with the May 26 Saturday game being a doubleheader to make-up for a snow out game back on April 6. The most recent matchup between the two teams was back on May 7-9 down in Allentown, Pennsylvania where the Iron Pigs swept the PawSox. Currently the Iron Pigs lead the season series 4-1.

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