Spring Training Blog: Lester Looking Strong In Bullpen Sessions
FORT MYERS, FLORIDA (CBS) - Stick with WBZ-TV's Dan Roche throughout the week for all the updates from Red Sox Spring Training in Fort Myers, Florida!
4:00 p.m.: Some great stuff from Jonny Gomes today, who is ready to take over in left field for the Red Sox.
At the plate, he said he's hoping to bring some "right-handed sock" to the lineup, and isn't afraid of the pressures of playing in Boston.
"Pressure is what you put on it," he said. "Bases loaded, tie ball game – is the pressure on the hitter or the pitcher? It's what you put on it. It's a results driven industry; if you put the results out there, there is no pressure. And if you don't there is pressure."
"At the end of the day there is no arguing about how I play the game; I play the game right," he said. "I hustle, my numbers are going to go up and own like everyone else in the big leagues, but I never take a day off."
He's also not too worried about playing in Fenway Park's left field with the Green Monster behind him.
"It's the only left field like that in the game. I've played it before, it doesn't worry me by any means," he said confidently. "You just have to accept it; you can't butt heads with the monster."
Sounds like Gomes will fit right in!
3:02 p.m.: Just one quick update from this afternoon. Clay Buchholz threw today, and manager John Farrell said it was actually a good day for the injured pitcher.
Buchholz is only expected to miss a few days with the hamstring injury he suffered yesterday, and could be back on the mound by next week.
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11:06 a.m.: Watching Napoli, Ortiz, Middlebrooks, and Sweeney hitting. I'm still amazed at the power Middlebrooks generates with his effortless swing. It's like a golfer.
Ortiz doesn't look like he's holding back at all with his swing as comes back from the Achilles injury.
Earlier I saw Lester, Dempster, De La Rosa, Lackey, Morales, Aceves, and knuckler Stephen Wright throw bullpens.
Gallery: Spring Training Photos
Lester was intense in his session. It was interesting to watch Manager John Farrell and new pitching coach Juan Nieves interact with each other and Lester. Nieves is a very positive guy, like most pitching coaches, but he's a bit more hands-on than I've seen coaches in the past. Lester looked strong, hitting his spot, and had great interaction with his catcher David Ross.
Lackey looked solid; threw the ball easily and was hitting his spots dead on early. But he was missing a bit when he tired later in the session.
Owner John Henry is on hand for the workouts. He came over and greeted Ortiz as he sat in the dugout.
Another pretty good day under sunny skies in The Fort!
9:33 a.m. Update: There's lots of energy in the Sox clubhouse this morning as we hit Day Two of pitchers and catchers workout. It was a cloudy start, but the sun came out just as the players were taking to the field around 9 a.m..
Newcomer Jonny Gomes showed up to camp this morning, and you can tell he'll be a presence right from the start in the Sox clubhouse. He's that loose guy that Boston hasn't had in a few years. I asked him what he'll bring to the clubhouse -- maybe a little Trot Nixon, Kevin Millar or Johnny Damon? He smiled and said, "time will tell!" What I like about him is his confidence. He told us he's been on three division winners in the last five years and he knows what a clubhouse needs. He says he's a big chemistry guy, and again, the Sox haven't had that since Millar left. I think having a guy like that will be a good thing for this team.
Read: Ortiz Expects To Be Ready For Opening Day
I also spoke with new closer Joel Hanrahan, who's excited to pitch at Fenway. His wife is a huge Red Sox fan, so she is excited as well. Hanrahan said he had to wear an ankle brace last season, which may have led to his higher-than-usual walk total.
Also talked to Clay Buchholz, who told me he didn't have any unexpected pain or soreness with his strained hamstring that will keep him out about five-days. He was a little upset that people took his "I guess I need to stretch now" comments NOT as a joke.
So far another great day for baseball here in Fort Myers. It's good to have it back again.
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Follow WBZ-TV's Dan Roche on Twitter @RochieWBZ. Tune in to his updates from Red Sox Spring Training in Fort Myers, Florida all week on WBZ-TV, WBZ NewsRadio 1030 and 98.5 The Sports Hub!
