Fort Report: MLB Opening Day; Alternate Training Site Opens

Welcome to another week of the SoxProspects.com Fort Report. The Fort Report will run every Tuesday throughout spring training, catching you up on all things prospect-related in Fort Myers and the Alternate Training Site in Worcester.

Here are this week's minor league notes:

• The Red Sox made their first addition to the roster of the regular season, signing right-handed pitcher Hector Rondon to a minor league contract and assigning him to the Alternate Training Site on Sunday. The 33-year-old has pitched 436 innings in the major leagues since 2013, mostly with the Cubs, but also with Houston and Arizona.

• Yairo Munoz, a utility player, was also added to the minor league injured list with right wrist inflammation on Sunday.

• Opening Day was Friday and the Red Sox set their Opening Day roster.

• The team outrighted right-handed pitcher John Schreiber to the Alternate Training Site on Friday. He was initially designated for assignment on Tuesday, when outfielder Franchy Cordero was added back to the 40-man roster after he was removed from the COVID-19 injured list.

• Right-handed pitcher Tanner Houck was recalled from the Alternate Training Site on Friday to replace left-handed pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez in the starting rotation, as he was placed on the injured list retroactive to March 29 with left elbow inflammation.

• Right-hander Ryan Brasier was also added to the injured list on Friday retroactive to March 29 with a left calf strain.

• Infielder Michael Chavis and right-handed pitcher Colten Brewer were each optioned to the Alternate Training Site on Tuesday.

• Our own Chris Hatfield and Ian Cundall published Episode No. 206 of the SoxProspects Podcast, in which they discuss a slight rankings tweak as well as a preview of the big club's season to come.

• LSU right-handed pitcher Jaden Hill will miss the rest of the season with a torn UCL and undergo Tommy John surgery. Prior to the season, he was considered in play for the Red Sox to select at No. 4 overall in this year's MLB Draft, though this injury will likely cause him to slip in the draft. At the time of the injury, he was No. 8 in Baseball America's MLB Draft rankings.

• Rule 5 selection Garret Whitlock made his major league debut in mop-up duty on Sunday, giving the team 3 2/3 innings, and The Boston Globe's Julian McWilliams has the story.

• Houck was also pressed into duty in place of Rodriguez on Saturday and had a solid five-inning outing with 8 strikeouts. McWilliams discussed the hope for the near future that Houck represents.

• He also was able to have family in the stands for the first time, which is important to the right-hander. Steve Hewitt of the Boston Herald has the scoop.

• Speaking of Houck, the Boston Herald's Jason Mastrodonato is of the opinion that Houck, between last season and this year, should stay up with the big club for good.

• No. 6 in the SoxProspects.com  rankings, right-handed pitcher Bryan Mata (pictured, left) has resumed his throwing program after a slight UCL tear, according to MassLive's  Chris Cotillo.

• Chris Cotillo of MassLive reported that Kevin McCarthy will remain in the organization despite his upward mobility clause to a 40-man roster spot, as he was not added to the Red Sox 40-man roster.

• The first workout at the Alternate Training Site, which will now be in Worcester at Polar Park rather than Pawtucket, was Thursday. It was the first organized baseball activity at the field since construction began. Joe McDonald of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette has the story.

• The Portland Sea Dogs will be allowing 2,000 spectators into Hadlock Field for May games. They will be in pods, similar to how the Red Sox opened Fenway Park. Tickets will go on sale to the public on April 14.

Photo Credit: Bryan Mata by Kelly O'Connor

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