Red Sox pitcher Tyler Thornburg may have not appeared in any games in over a week, but Alex Cora feels like "he’s going to be a big part" of what they do.
In comments published by MassLive.com, Cora said that “His [referring to Thornburg] stuff is there, the velocity is up there. I still feel like he’s been a little bit inconsistent using the stuff where he’s supposed to be, especially the fastball. I think his fastball plays in another spot. When he uses his fastball and it’s down in the zone just like Heath (Hembree), it gets hit. I do feel like we’ll use him, It’s just a matter of time."
Thornburg, a right hander, was traded to the Red Sox from the Milwaukee Brewers following the 2016 season.
According to baseball-reference.com, Thornburg appeared in 25 games for the Red Sox in 2018, pitching in 24 innings in relief before being lost to a shoulder injury at the end of the 2018 regular season.
Thornburg gave up 15 earned runs to his 24 innings pitched in 2018, compared to his six earned runs in just 8.1 innings pitched so far this season.
If the Red Sox hope to return to their 2018 form, their pitching will need a boost. Perhaps Thornburg can help.
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