Minnesota Twins vs. Boston Red Sox - News - March 28, 2021

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
MIN	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
BOS	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-

Closer picture remains murky Ottavino won't have the clear path to serve as the Red Sox's Opening Day closer that it looked like he might have in recent days, as Matt Barnes' positive COVID-19 test was ruled a...

Impact There's been very little to separate Ottavino and Barnes in recent seasons, and they've been similarly effective this spring, so it was tough to say either of them had much more than a 50 percent chance to win the job. Barnes' positive test seemingly opened an opportunity for Ottavino to open the year in the role, which could make it his until he pitched his way out of it. Now that Barnes is back in camp, however, the job looks like it's back to being a coin flip.

MARCH 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Back in camp Barnes was determined to have a non-infectious positive test for COVID-19 on Monday and is now back in camp, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

Impact Barnes looked like he might have to miss the start of the regular season following his positive test Saturday, but the result was evidently a false positive. Missing the start of camp may have left Adam Ottavino as the team's closer to start the year by default, but Barnes is now back in the battle. The winner of the job remains undetermined.

MARCH 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Catches bullpen session Vazquez (eye) remained out of the lineup for Monday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta, but he was able to catch teammate Eduardo Rodriguez's (arm) bullpen session, Chris Cot...

Impact Vazquez isn't quite back to 100 percent after he suffered an eye laceration and contusion last week that required stitches, but the Red Sox remain fairly confident that he'll be ready to go for Thursday's season opener versus the Orioles. The backstop will have his stitches removed early in the day Thursday, and if that extraction goes as planned, he should be cleared to catch Opening Day starter Nathan Eovaldi.

MARCH 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

2021 is Tigers' time to turn the corner The Tigers watched the Twins and White Sox vault from rebuilding teams with loads of young talent to playoff contenders to division favorite...

MARCH 29, 2021 • MLB.COM

Throws another bullpen session Rodriguez (arm) threw another bullpen session Monday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Impact Rodriguez was initially expected to start on Opening Day but was pushed back due to a dead arm. It's not particularly surprising that he'd be dealing with such an issue, as he missed all of last season after developing a heart condition during his battle with COVID-19. While the heart problem is no longer an issue, the Red Sox may have to handle him carefully for most of the season. It's not yet clear when he's expected to make his season debut.

MARCH 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Uber deal: Twins lock up pitcher Dobnak for long term

The Minnesota Twins have signed right-hander Randy Dobnak to a $9.25 million, five-year contract

MARCH 29, 2021 • FOX SPORTS

Could make season-opening rotation Houck remains in contention to open the season as a member of the Red Sox rotation, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Impact Houck appeared set to begin the season in the minors after he was optioned March 17, but the complexion of Boston's rotation has changed dramatically since then. Eduardo Rodriguez is working through a dead-arm phase that will prevent him from being available for Boston's season-opening series with the Orioles this weekend, while projected No. 3 starter Garrett Richards' status is uncertain while he's believed to be away from the team due to COVID-19-related concerns. Nathan Eovaldi and Martin Perez are scheduled to start two of the Red Sox's three games with Baltimore, but Houck -- who is pitching in Monday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta -- is tentatively lined up to start Saturday versus the Orioles.

MARCH 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Twins vs

Red Sox

Minnesota Twins vs. Boston Red Sox - News: Mar 28, 2021

RECAP

BOX SCORE

PLAY-BY-PLAY

ODDS

NEWS

Uber deal: Twins lock up pitcher Dobnak for long term