Notes: Road trip protocols; Hall set for start

BOSTON -- From Summer Camp to two exhibition games to the first homestand of the season, the Red Sox have been able to stay safe inside their bubble of Fenway Park in July.

Another challenge awaits later this week when they hit the road as a team for the first time during the pandemic.

The Sox play in New York on Wednesday and Thursday against the Mets, and then at Yankee Stadium Friday through Sunday. The trip wraps up with a two-game set at Tropicana Field against the Rays on Aug. 4 and 5.

"I think we'll be fine as long as we keep following the protocols," said Red Sox left fielder Andrew Benintendi. "We had a Zoom call earlier today going over all that stuff, and I'm sure we'll be reminded several times. So as long as we comply with all those, we should be fine."

MLB postponed two games on Monday due to several Marlins players testing positive for COVID-19, and the Miami team will self-quarantine in Philadelphia until they get their latest test results.

"I think anything that happens like this is definitely a reminder to the guys, and hopefully it reminds them in a good way to be safe, to follow the protocols, to not go out," Red sox manager Ron Roenicke said. "And I know it's difficult. I know when you're young, it's difficult to be locked in your hotel room and doing nothing, but also, that they realize we've got 60 games, we've got to do everything we can to try to stay healthy and eventually win as many games as we can."

Roenicke, chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom and members of the medical and training staff were on the Zoom meeting Benintendi referenced to remind the players of all the necessary steps to take while on the road.

"We were just going over the points again about trying to follow the protocols to make sure this doesn't happen to our team," Roenicke said. "We've been really good so far; look what we've done here [at Fenway Park], but we are going on the road and we need to be careful."

Hall aboard
Red Sox lefty Matt Hall will try to make a good first impression when he gets a chance in the fifth spot in the rotation for Tuesday's game against the Mets.

While Hall did start 85 games in the Minors, all 21 of his MLB appearances have been in relief.

"I mean, yeah, it's great, getting a start. I just look at it as another opportunity to get out there and pitch and compete," said Hall. "I've always been a believer of it doesn't matter when or where, just give me the ball and I'll go out there and throw."

The Red Sox acquired Hall from the Tigers on Jan. 17, 2020, and he felt an immediate connection with pitching coach Dave Bush and appreciated some of the data the club has given him.

"I mean, ever since I've signed with the Red Sox, from Day 1 it's been all about bettering myself as a player and a person," Hall said. "First day of [Summer] Camp they were showing me some things and it all made sense. And I just bought into it and just continuing to work on it every day."