Duran placed on COVID-19 related IL?

Ahead of Friday's series opener in Toronto, the Red Sox announced they placed center fielder Jarren Duran on the COVID-19 related injured list and called up infielder Jonathan Araúz to fill his roster spot.

This is the second instance this week that the Red Sox have dealt with a potential COVID-19 case, the first being right-handed closer Matt Barnes, who was placed on the list on Tuesday and was activated the day after.

“It's kind of the same situation as Barnesy the other day,” manager Alex Cora said. “Obviously, not great to where we're at, but he's going to go through the whole thing, the whole process and, hopefully, we get good news later on.”

Barnes was placed on the COVID-19 IL after he reported that he was feeling unwell, but he was able to return to the team after he tested negative for the virus.

Cora said Duran was not with the team at Rogers Centre, but was at the team hotel as he continues to undergo the COVID-19 protocols.

“He's at the hotel, everything is done over there in the hotel,” Cora said. “We all got tested today here again because of everything that is going on, but he is at the hotel. He's not going to be at the ballpark.”

In his last seven games, Duran was hitting .182 with 10 strikeouts and one home run. The center fielder has driven in one run over the past week on four hits in 22 at-bats.

Sale set for rehab start
Chris Sale is one step closer to making his long-awaited 2021 debut. Sale is scheduled to pitch between five and six innings with a 90-pitch range in his rehab start for Triple-A Worcester on Saturday.

“Tomorrow is kind of like a regular start, so we'll treat it like that," Cora said. "Obviously, from there, we'll make decisions, but it feels like it's the last one.”

Sale began his rehab assignment with the FCL Red Sox on July 15 and has trended upward since then. In four rehab starts for the FCL Red Sox, Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester, Sale has posted a 1.76 ERA -- 3 earned runs in 15 1/3 innings -- and has struck out 27 batters.

The right-hander is making his comeback from Tommy John surgery that he underwent back in March of 2020. Sale last took the mound for the Red Sox on Aug. 13, 2019, as he fired 108 pitches (73 strikes) in 6 2/3 innings and allowed five runs (three earned) with a dozen strikeouts and two walks against the Indians.

Pérez moved to ‘pen
Martín Pérez has had to endure a tough time on the mound over his last seven starts. During that stretch, the left-hander compiled a 6.37 ERA in 29 2/3 innings with 25 strikeouts, seven walks and a 1.72 WHIP.

One day after Pérez recorded only four outs against the Tigers in his start on Thursday, the Red Sox decided to move him to the bullpen. Right-hander Tanner Houck will make the next start in Pérez’s turn in the rotation, according to Cora.

“Because of where we are at and the people we're adding in the upcoming days, it just makes sense,” Cora said. “I think stuff-wise, I've been saying all along, his stuff is a lot better than the results, but, obviously, it's where we're going to be roster-wise in the upcoming days.”

But the rotation shakeup has more to do with Boston’s upcoming schedule, rather than his results on the mound.

“I had a conversation with him. Now, obviously, it's not easy as a manager and as a player to have that conversation, but he understands, and he's done it before,” Cora said. “Obviously, with Darwinzon [Hernandez] being down, having that third lefty is something that … will be good, especially against a few teams in this region now.

“Obviously, New York, it's not as right-handed as they were [earlier]; Tampa, the Yankees and, obviously, we're gonna play some teams that have a lot of switch-hitters. So, I do believe, somehow, some way, he's going to help us out of the bullpen.”