There were a few reports out of Boston pointing towards the fact that Boston Red Sox starter Drew Pomeranz would be rehabbing in Pawtucket on Sunday. But now this news has become official.

Per the Pawtucket Red Sox Pomeranz will be on the mound Sunday in McCoy Stadium rehabbing in what is Pawtucket’s second game of the season. According to Boston manager Alex Cora the plan for Pomeranz is to go 5 or 6 innings and then take it from there going forward.

Pomeranz is right on track for his middle of April return. He was placed on the 10-day disabled list by Boston with a flexor strain in his left forearm.

For baseball fans in the Rhode Island area it should be a great day at the ballpark to watch a major league pitcher work in what is an actual start for Pomeranz in terms of length.

Trifecta Sports will be at Pomeranz’s rehab start and will have play-by-play coverage including Tweets, video of his rehab, post-game interviews with Drew Pomeranz and PawSox manager Kevin Boles to gauge how the rehabbing lefty feels and what the next steps are.

Pawtucket Red Sox Pitcher Justin Haley Labors In Season Opener

Justin Haley got the opening day nod for the Pawtucket Red Sox, and he labored. In just 2 2/3 innings, Haley gave up 1 hit, 1 run (1 earned run), 3 walks, and 3 strikeouts on 73 pitches (44 strikes). However, he didn’t receive the loss as the Paw Sox tied the game up at 1 the following inning. The Paw Sox went on to lost their second home opener in 13 seasons to the tune of 3-1.

Haley got through the first 2 innings pretty smoothly, but in the 3rd inning, it took Haley 34 pitches to get though the first 4 batters of the inning. That 4th batter was a sacrifice fly to center field by Danny Ortiz. Following a 5 pitch walk to Dylan Cozens, Paw Sox manager Kevin Boles pulled Haley for Kyle Martin.

Haley was responsible for runners on first and third when Kyle Martin came into the game, but he was able to strikeout Mitch Walding out to end the threat.

What Happened?

It was really cold at McCoy Stadium today. With a first pitch temp of 45 degrees, everyone was struggling to stay warm. In the first two innings for Haley, he was able to work very efficiently. It only took him 34 pitches to get through the first 2 frames. That even included a 3 pitch strikeout of Roman Quinn to lead off the game.

But in the 3rd inning, Haley was getting a lot of foul balls hit off of him. He was blowing in to his hand after almost every pitch. It just looked like he wasn’t able to get his feel for the ball during that 3rd inning because it was so cold out. He couldn’t get that extra zip on his pitches to get them pass batters for strikeouts. After all, when it is that cold out, it is difficult to be that more accurate when you are throwing a baseball in the low 90’s.

I don’t expect that this is going to be a problem with the Haley going forward. Assuming it’s warmer next week when he will make his next start in Toledo (I doubt it will be), He will probably pitch better then he did today. Justin Haley is too talented to not be a top pitcher for the Pawtucket Red Sox.

Red Sox Prospect Roenis Elias Is Being Used Out Of The Bullpen This Season

The exact role for Roenis Elias this season was in question. Was he going to be a starter, or was he going to be a reliever? In the 5th inning of today’s opening day game against the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs, we had our question answered. Elias came into the game as a reliever and pitched pretty well.

In 3 innings or work, he gave up no runs, hits, or walks and struck out 4 batters on 42 pitches (27 strikes).

This move by the organization definitely hurts the Paw Sox starting rotation, but with having Elias pitch 3 innings, you are making it clear that he could be a spot starter at any point this season. Similar to what Marcus Walden was for the Paw Sox last year.

But for the organization, they have enough starting pitching options where they don’t need another one. Later in the season, you could see Roenis Elias being called up to Boston as bullpen depth because that’s what the organization needs.

This move will definitely help Elias as well. As a reliever, it gives him the flexibility to actually get back to the majors.