Red Sox Notebook: MLB picks odd player to warn – Boston Herald

NEW YORK — Clay Buchholz worked faster than usual during his Opening Day start against the Phillies, averaging 24 seconds between pitches, down from his average of 25.6 seconds between pitches last year, according to fangraphs.com.

But according to David Ortiz, Buchholz received a letter from Major League Baseball about his pace of play. It wasn’t Buchholz’ speed between pitches that MLB was concerned about. Apparently Buchholz stepped out of the batter’s box illegally while hitting on Monday afternoon.

“Buchholz got a letter before me,” Ortiz said. “You believe that? He’s got a letter, ‘Hey, buddy, you’re walking out of the box. What’s wrong with you?’ ”

The new pace of play rules include only a slap on the wrist for offenses in the month of April, but could result in fines or additional strikes for repeating offenders later this year. On Wednesday, the Associated Press reported that 10 players received warning letters for violating the rules.

Buchholz was 0-for-3 with three groundouts while pitching seven shutout innings in the Red Sox’ win against the Phillies on Monday. He’s 2-for-8 over his nine-year career, but if Buchholz ever steps into (and then out of) the box again this season, MLB appears ready to discipline him.

Matching up

Through four games of the regular season, Shane Victorino has started in right field only twice.

Victorino was held out of the lineup last night due to matchup-related reasons, according to Sox manager John Farrell. Victorino entered the game 2-for-5 with a triple against Yankees starter Nathan Eovaldi, but Victorino had previously been a switch-hitter and is now hitting exclusively right-handed. Eovaldi, a hard-throwing right-hander, has been much better against right-handed batters over his career. Left-handed hitting Daniel Nava got the start in Victorino’s place.

Victorino has passed all physical tests so far this season. He said he felt great after slamming against the right-field wall to make a catch on Monday and Farrell said the 34-year-old outfielder has come through each game healthy.

“Obviously I feel great right now,” Victorino said Monday. “My body feels good. I’m going to go back in the gym now and be ready to go on Wednesday.”

But Victorino was held out of the lineup in Wednesday’s game, which came against Phils right-handed Aaron Harang.

Farrell is intent on playing the matchups.

“He was hopeful of being on the field tonight,” Farrell said last night. “There’s a little bit of a matchup split difference that you hope that you can maybe take a little advantage of, but physically, Shane has responded well to the two times he’s been on the field so far.” . . .

Newly acquired Sandy Leon made his first start with the Red Sox while catching Wade Miley, also making his debut. Farrell said it’s likely Leon will also catch during the home opener on Monday, though Ryan Hanigan is expected to handle the lion’s share of the catching duties. . . .

The Red Sox starting rotation got off to a good start. Between Buchholz (seven innings, no runs), Rick Porcello (six innings, three runs) and Justin Masterson (six innings, two runs), the Sox received quality starts from their first three starters for just the second time since 2000 (also in 2004).

Heavy metal

Fans going to the Red Sox’ home opener on Monday afternoon should be prepared for metal detectors.

In accordance with Major League Baseball’s stadium operations practices for the 2015 season, fans entering Fenway Park through any gate will have to be screened. The Red Sox put out a press release yesterday announcing the new procedure, but specified that only cell phones and large metal objects will have to be removed before walking through the detectors. Coins, keys, jewelry, belts and shoes are permitted.

The Red Sox are opening gates two hours before Monday’s 3:05 p.m. start time against the Washington Nationals, but keep in mind that gates will usually open 11⁄2 hours before gametime (except for season ticket-holders and Red Sox Nation members, who can enter through Gate C 21⁄2 hours before each game). . . .

Among the new food offerings at Fenway this year will be a “Taste of Boston” stand, designed to feature neighborhood cuisine from 12 different local restaurants that will rotate during the season.

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