FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Good morning from an overcast Fort, where it may rain later but is unlikely to impact either the Red Sox workout Saturday or the open house the team is holding at JetBlue Park, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This year’s event is scheduled to include a yard sale featuring Red Sox memorabilia. Parking is complimentary. Proceeds will be donated to the Red Sox Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization and the official team charity of the Sox.
Here is a list of players who were with the Red Sox at the end of last season and where they are now: Burke Badenhop (Reds), Drake Britton (Cubs), Corey Brown (Rays), Daniel Butler (Nationals), Yoenis Cespedes (Tigers), Rubby De La Rosa (Diamondbacks), Alex Hassan (Athletics), Jonathan Herrera (Cubs), Ryan Lavarnway (Orioles), Will Middlebrooks (Padres), Anthony Ranaudo (Rangers), Carlos Rivero (Mariners), Ryan Roberts (Royals), David Ross (Cubs), Allen Webster (Diamondbacks), and Alex Wilson (Tigers).
The Sox began their morning with a presentation from Major League Baseball on domestic violence awareness, a new program for the big-leaguers. It’s a topic that has been addressed with some regularity to the minor leagues through the Mentors in Violence Prevention program.
The focus on the field Saturday will be on sliding drills, individual defensive work and team popup drills. The Sox also have their second day of pitchers throwing live BP. Justin Masterson will be throwing to Pablo Sandoval and Shane Victorino and Joe Kelly will throw to Dustin Pedroia and Mike Napoli. Other notable matchups include Matt Barnes throwing to David Ortiz and Hanley Ramirez, and Edward Mujica throwing to Mookie Betts and Brock Holt. Other pitchers throwing live BP on Saturday are Robbie Ross, Miguel Celestino, Tommy Layne, Felipe Paulino, Henry Owens, Brian Johnson, Junichi Tazawa, Alexi Ogando, Heath Hembree, Noe Ramirez and Steven Wright.