Dalbec scuffling; Verdugo rests sore back

BOSTON -- After Bobby Dalbec bashed a Grapefruit League-leading seven homers, nobody was more optimistic about the type of rookie season he would have than Red Sox hitting coach Tim Hyers.

However, Dalbec has spent most of the first month of the season in a slump, and his hitting coach is trying to help him find some answers.

“I didn't see it like this, getting off to the start that he's off to. That's kind of a shock to me,” Hyers said. “Coming out of Spring Training, I felt his swing was going to allow him to put more balls in play. I know he's working hard to work out a few of the kinks that are causing him to lose some posture and lose some lower-half stability, and I feel that's where he gets underneath the baseball a lot.”

For Red Sox manager Alex Cora, there is a fine line between giving Dalbec time off to help him decompress and keeping him in the lineup so he can fix what ails him.

Dalbec has started 23 of the first 31 games, but he was not in the lineup on Wednesday night against the Tigers.

“He's still working on his timing. It's something that we've been talking about; it's very important,” Cora said. “He's not playing today, so he'll keep working at it. It just takes one swing with him. I don't think it has to be a line drive to right field. I do believe, just get a hanging breaking ball and pull it for power, something positive, right? One thing for sure, we're working with him hard, he's going out there and playing hard, trying to make every play at first base, which is very important.”

Dalbec is a natural third baseman, but his defense at first base has been excellent. He’s saved many errors from other infielders with his scoops.

“It's something I mentioned yesterday to him,” Cora said. “'Hey man, just look at -- you haven't produced offensively. Look at the scoreboard, look where we are at in the standings, and you're playing good defense. That's what it's all about. Even if you're not contributing offensively, just go out there and help your teammates out somehow, some way. And he's done that."

Given the versatility of Boston’s roster, it is easy for Cora to slot someone in at first base so Dalbec can regroup. Marwin Gonzalez started at first on Wednesday. Dalbec was known for getting off to slow starts each time he advanced to a new level in the Minor Leagues. However, he did belt eight homers in 80 at-bats for the Red Sox at the end of last season.

By contrast, Dalbec has taken 79 at-bats this season and has only one home run to go with a line of .190/.247/.304.

“Obviously it’s a different environment. Now you’re the first baseman of the Boston Red Sox. That comes into play,” Cora said. “But we understand that there’s an adjustment period for him and right now, he’s hitting ninth, he’s hitting eighth. I don’t want him to put pressure on himself. Kind of like, ‘Just be you right now.’ Obviously, offensively it hasn’t clicked, but we know that at one point he’s going to start hitting balls in the air, and he should be fine.”

Verdugo rests with sore back
Outfielder Alex Verdugo was in the original lineup on Wednesday but became a late scratch due to lower back tightness. Verdugo was willing to play, but Cora took the decision out of his hands. Kiké Hernández moved from second base to center field. Christian Arroyo was inserted into the lineup at second. Rafael Devers moved from the fifth slot to second and Christian Vázquez was elevated to the No. 5 hole.

It is important that the Red Sox keep Verdugo healthy. He has been one of their best players this season. In Tuesday’s win, he smashed an impressive laser-beam down the line in left and over the Monster for a homer. You don’t see left-handed hitters go deep with that trajectory down the line very often.

“I asked Timmy [Hyers] if that takes a perfect swing to do, and he was like, ‘Yeah, you have to be on time, you gotta be perfect’, and that was eye-opening,” Cora said. “I thought that ball was going to go off the wall. The fact it went over the wall, it was impressive. He’s in a good spot right now offensively. Balanced. Swinging at strikes. Using the whole field. It’s been fun watching him the last two or three weeks.”

Hyers wishes Chili well
When Hyers was hired as the hitting coach of the Red Sox, he replaced Chili Davis, who held that role for Boston from 2015-17.

Hyers, who worked under Davis when he was a roving instructor for the Red Sox, was saddened to hear about Davis getting dismissed by the Mets

following Monday’s game.

“Chili is a great individual. I learned a lot from him,” Hyers said. “He cares for his players. It’s a tough gig. I know it’s a performance-based job, and I know he’ll be back in the business soon, I’m sure.”