Jansen looks for 'feel pitch' cutter in spring debut

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Kenley Jansen’s second pitch of his delayed Grapefruit League debut, an 8-5 win over the Twins on Friday, was belted over the replica Green Monster at JetBlue Park by Alex Kirilloff. Later in that sixth inning, Christian Vázquez mauled a two-out, solo shot to center.

As you might expect, the veteran closer -- who was slowed earlier in camp by a right lat injury -- was completely unfazed by the events of Friday night.

“Listen, can’t go off results. It is what it is,” said Jansen. “It’s my first outing, and we’ll sharpen things up as we go.”

For Jansen, who has 420 career saves, Spring Training is all about getting his cutter to premium form.

He has four more outings to do that, as Jansen has been steadfast in his belief that five Spring Training games are all he needs to be ready to take the ball confidently for the Red Sox in the ninth inning on March 28 in Seattle.

“My cutter is a feel pitch, so I want to get it consistent so it’s clicking at the end of spring and untouchable,” Jansen said. “Right now, it’s not there yet, so I’ve just got to keep throwing it."

Both of the home runs the Twins hit on Friday came off misplaced cutters.

The 36-year-old is still building up his arm strength after his delayed beginning of spring.

“It’s getting better. It’s Spring Training. Got to keep building. I’m a little behind. I will catch up,” Jansen said.

Though the radar gun was off during Jansen’s inning, he reviewed the film and noted his fastball ranged from 91 to 94 mph.

“That’s not bad for the first one. I’m not that far off. Just keep building up a little bit more,” Jansen said. “I’m glad I’m out there and pitching pain-free.”

Jansen’s next outing will be on Monday against the Twins.

“Throw that cutter again, see how that goes,” Jansen said.

Whitlock sharp as rotation battle continues
Garrett Whitlock didn’t do anything to hurt his chances of winning one of the two open spots in the rotation, as he fired 4 1/3 scoreless innings against the Twins.

The righty threw 62 pitches, 44 of them for strikes. He allowed two hits while walking one and striking out five.

“The swings and misses from the get-go, that's a game changer,” said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. “He's been working hard with his cutter and the slider/sweeper. The good thing about him is he's always ahead. It’s about putting them away. Not only inducing them to weak contact, but swings and misses are good, too. It's not that we're going to start looking for that the whole time, but in an era where that’s part of the game, we should get some of that, and today he did.”

One thing Whitlock has been consistent about is saying he’ll be at peace no matter what decision the Red Sox make about his role. Whitlock, Tanner Houck, Josh Winckowski and Cooper Criswell are in a battle for the final two spots in the rotation.

“I have absolutely no idea [how it will turn out],” Whitlock said. “I know that I’m feeling good and confident, and that’s up to the decision-makers. I really feel like as a pitching staff, we’re starting to come together as one. We’ve got one kind of mindset, so I’m loving that.”

Duran more comfortable
Jarren Duran, who had surgery on his left big toe on Aug. 30 of last season, is starting to find his groove.

The speedy outfielder belted a two-run single and smoked a two-run homer into the bullpen in right-center field. Those four RBIs were Duran’s first of Spring Training.

“I was talking to [third base coach Kyle Hudson] about it,” said Cora. “There’s a comfort level at the plate now. He knows what he wants to do there. He’s not just up there swinging. He hit a ball off the wall. Then he hit a rocket to right field. Then the homer with two strikes. He’s in a good spot.”