few days out of Red Sox camp."Dustin Pedroia to debut on ThursdayOne of the biggest stories of the spring and the early parts of the regular season is and will be Dustin Pedroia. The franchise icon essentially missed all of 2018 after missing significant time in 2017 http://www.rangersfanproshop.com/authentic-matt-moore-jersey , and no one really knows what to expect in 2019. Based on an unscientific feel of the fanbase, the expectations don’t seem very high. Of course, we really have no way of having a feel for what he can provide in 2019 given how long it’s been since we’ve seen him for more than a few games. That should start to change on Thursday, as the Red Sox are aiming to have him back in the lineup that day. It’s unclear whether he’ll be in the field or simply slot in as the DH, but either way it will be great to see him back out there. We won’t be able to tell too much by his performance in spring, of course. That said, this will be a test to see that A) he can physically still play and stay healthy and B) he can still move around like he could before. The Red Sox could really use something close to pre-injury Pedroia, particularly in the field.Ryan Brasier progressingWe all know about the potential issues in the Red Sox bullpen. It’s been the main topic of discussion since the end of last year’s World Series run. For all of the very real issues, though, they do have two strong arms in the back of the bullpen in Matt Barnes and Ryan Brasier. The latter has been battling an infected pinkie toe, though, and there has been some concern about whether or not he’d be ready for Opening Day. Over the weekend, however, Alex Cora still indicated the goal is still for Brasier to be on the active roster when the regular season kicks off in Seattle. He started throwing up to 90 feet on Sunday, and the team believes normal progression from there should have him ready to go. Even if he is ready, though, there is some question of how he’ll be without a full camp. And Ryan Rua Jersey , looking at the bigger picture, this is an example of why they could have used another established arm for this unit. Injuries are going to happen, and while there is potential for some of the other arms on the 40-man roster (and some off of it) to take a big step forward this year it’s tough to feel comfortable relying on that rather than someone more proven. Rotation to get rolling this weekendBasically right after the Red Sox finished off their World Series run last fall, Alex Cora was already planning on how he would approach the 2019 season. People who succeed at the highest level of any sport are absurd. The manager knew he was going to have to take it easy with his starting pitchers after they worked themselves to the bone throughout the month of October. As such, we haven’t seen any of the four starters from the postseason in a spring training game yet, with Eduardo Rodriguez the only one from the main five-man rotation having appeared. That is going to change this weekend. A plan has been rolled out with the rotation working out as follows:Saturday: Eduardo RodriguezSunday: Rick PorcelloMonday: Chris Sale (On the back fields)Tuesday: David PriceWednesday: Nathan EovaldiFor all of the (valid) concern around the bullpen, I am more excited to see this rotation in action this season than I am worried about the relief corps. Famous last words and all that.Durbin Feltman should get his chance soonWith the aforementioned questions about the bullpen, the eyes of the fans have started to turn towards some of the younger relievers who have a chance to step into the majors at some point this summer and potentially catapult themselves into an important role. Travis Lakins and Darwinzon Hernandez are a couple of those guys, and both of them are already on the 40-man roster. Perhaps the most discussed name, though, is Durbin Feltman, who was selected in last summer’s amateur draft. The former TCU standout certainly doesn’t have professional experience, but his stuff is major-league ready and some evaluators believe with his violent delivery the Red Sox should get him to the majors as soon as possible. It doesn’t seem like the team necessarily agrees, as he was assigned to minor-league camp and hasn’t had a chance to pitch in a big-league game this spring. That should change this coming weekend. I’m excited about this, largely because it will be nice to see him in action rather than just reading what others who have seen him have to say. PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — As workouts began to wind down, word began spreading across the San Diego Padres‘ practice fields at Peoria Sports Complex.The Padres Drew Robinson Jersey , a team stuck in a 12-year playoff-less rut, were on the verge of making their biggest free agent splash ever.Manny Machado, the big-hitting, slick-fielding infielder, was going to be paid $300 million to play for the Padres for the next decade.The news Tuesday put noticeable pep in the players’ step for the remainder of the workouts.“There was definitely a buzz yesterday in the practice,” first baseman Eric Hosmer said Wednesday. “Toward the last couple drills, the rumors were getting a little more true that Manny was likely coming here. The buzz is here and everyone is excited.”The buzz continued Wednesday as the Padres waited for the deal to finalize and Machado to arrive in the desert, which could come as early as Friday.The Padres agreed with Machado on a $300 million, 10-year deal, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Tuesday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement was subject to a successful physical and had not been announced.The second-largest deal in baseball history signified a significant shift in direction for the Padres.San Diego lost 96 games last year and hasn’t had a winning season since 2010. This season looked like it would be another in what seemed like a never ending string of rebuilding seasons.Machado’s deal changes expectations. The goal of winning was no longer something three, four years down the road. The Padres want to win now.San Diego made a bit of a splash last season, signing first baseman Eric Hosmer to a $144 million, eight-year deal.Adding Machado locks down the corners of the Padres’ infield at least through the next five years, when Machado can opt out of his contract and become a free agent again.“What we’ve talked about is if the right guys are out there, guys we feel are a fit in a long-term plan, we want to build it as we get going and add the right piece at the right time,” Padres general manager A.J. Preller said. “You can wait for some of the young talent we’ve built up and maybe in three or four years try to get the right guys who are out there at that time http://www.rangersfanproshop.com/authentic-matt-moore-jersey , but we feel as a group the pieces that fit short term, long term are out there and that’s how you build a club.”The upgrades at the corners, along with the young talent already on the roster, have excited a long-suffering Padres fan base that’s never experienced a World Series title nor seen a playoff series victory since the 1998 NLCS win over Atlanta.Machado gives San Diego one of baseball’s best players still in his prime.The 26-year-old is a four-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove winner. He’s a career .282 hitter with 175 homers and 513 RBIs in seven big league seasons.Machado hit .297 and set career bests with 37 homers and 107 RBIs last season with the Orioles and Los Angeles Dodgers.Even if San Diego’s brass couldn’t talk about the deal because it wasn’t finalized, Padres players couldn’t contain their excitement.“It’s going to be very special,” said shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr., who is listed as the No. 2 prospect in baseball. “He’s an awesome guy, a great player and will be a great teammate.”Machado’s addition strengthens San Diego’s foundation for the future, particularly in the infield.Hosmer had an underwhelming first season with the Padres, but two years ago hit .318 with 25 homers and 94 RBIs with the Kansas City Royals.Tatis, son of a former major league player, is considered San Diego’s shortstop of the future, though he has played just 2 1/2 months above A-ball. His major league debut will likely come this season and he could even crack the opening day roster with a stellar spring.Rookie Luis Urias, who was called up last season, could be the starting shortstop if Tatis opens in Triple-A and the Padres added veteran second baseman Ian Kinsler in the offseason.“We came into this year hungry to win,” Padres manager Andy Green said. “That message was there before any news leaked yesterday and is going to be there the rest of the season.”That leaked news should only strengthen Green’s message.