By Tim Britton Journal Sports Writer
Thin in starting pitching beyond the six who will compete for a rotation spot out of spring training, the Red Sox announced on Wednesday that they’ve invited ex-Philadelphia Phillies starter Kyle Kendrick to spring training.
Kendrick was one of nine non-roster players to receive an invitation, the team announced. Among the others were Rafael Devers, the best prospect in the organization since the promotion of Andrew Benintendi and the trade of Yoan Moncada; line-drive-hitting first baseman Sam Travis; tandem expensive disappointments Rusney Castillo and Allen Craig; and veteran outfielder Brian Bogusevic.
Kendrick has made more than 200 starts in the major leagues, most of them for the Phillies. He made 30 starts for the Phillies’ World Series-winning team in 2008, though he didn’t pitch in the postseason that year. He had a 6.32 ERA in 27 starts with Colorado in 2015, allowing a league-leading 33 home runs, and spent most of last season with Triple-A Salt Lake in the Angels organization.
Kendrick offers the Red Sox some veteran insurance at the minor-league level, a bit like Sean O’Sullivan a year ago.
The trade of Clay Buchholz for financial and roster-space reasons left the Red Sox with six starters to whom John Farrell can feel confident giving the ball every five days. Beyond those six — Drew Pomeranz, Rick Porcello, David Price, Eduardo Rodriguez, Chris Sale and Steven Wright — the next pitcher in line remains Henry Owens, who has a 5.19 ERA in 16 starts in the major leagues. Fellow Triple-A lefties Roenis Elias and Brian Johnson would be next in line; neither capitalized on opportunities last season.
It’s almost impossible to imagine the Red Sox getting through the season without going beyond the six pitchers on their roster now. Only one team (Toronto) used fewer than eight starting pitchers last season, and 20 teams used 10 or more.
New deal for Remy
Red Sox TV analyst Jerry Remy has agreed to a new multiyear contract.
NESN announced the deal on Wednesday. Remy, 64, will remain the primary color analyst and work 115 Red Sox games each season.
The length and other terms of the contract were not released.
Remy, a former Boston second baseman, has worked more than 3,900 Red Sox games during his broadcasting career.
— An Associated Press report is included