HOUSTON – Still trying to find a way to gain some momentum in what has been a trying rookie season so far, Red Sox first baseman Bobby Dalbec now has the additional challenge of trying to stay sharp despite diminishing playing time.

But Dalbec, who has always been known for his strong work habits, is finding ways to see live pitching.

“Yesterday I sat in on Nate [Eovaldi] and Nick [Pivetta’s] bullpens just to keep my eyes fresh,” Dalbec said. “I’ve been working on the machine just to continue to get velo and get something more than flips and BP every day.”

What is he trying to accomplish when he faces the pitching machine on days he isn’t playing?

“Do a lot of off-speed stuff and then try to get that bottom wheel cranking so I can be more consistent on those pitchers that have a high spin rate at the top of the zone,” Dalbec said. “That’s the game now, spin rate. Just working on that. I’ll take four, five swings on it and then take a couple steps forward, make it uncomfortable. I want that work to be extremely uncomfortable so the game will feel easier, to some extent.”

After not being in the lineup the previous two days against right-handed starters, Dalbec was back in there on Wednesday against lefty Framber Valdez. He is expected to get a start on Thursday against Astros righty Jake Odorizzi.

Entering the night, Dalbec was hitting .314 (16-for-51) with four homers against lefties and .146 (13-for-89) with one homer versus righties.

“I’ve never really thought of myself as a guy who is more comfortable against lefties, not against righties. I’ve felt like it’s one big puzzle,” said Dalbec. “I feel like I’ve hit the ball hard against righties, but haven’t got results that affect those splits. But nonetheless, it’s not an excuse. I definitely need to be better against righties. I need to be better overall. Grinding. It’s all part of it.”

Dalbec took the first 80 at-bats of his career after being called up last season and belted eight home runs, creating optimism for ’21 that was only intensified when he led the Grapefruit League with seven homers.

But during a season in which hitters all over baseball are struggling to keep up with the nasty stuff pitchers are bringing, Dalbec is searching for answers.

Lou Gehrig Day plans

While MLB celebrated the inaugural Lou Gehrig Day on Wednesday, the Red Sox revealed their pans to recognize the day on the upcoming homestand.

Tuesday, when the Sox open a three-game series against the Astros, will be Lou Gehrig Day at Fenway Park. In a pregame tribute, the club will honor ALS research advocates, including the family of Pete Frates and Dr. Merit Cudkowicz, Director of Massachusetts General Hospital’s Center for ALS.

The Sox will raise funds for specialized ALS care by selling limited edition hats bearing the phrase “Strike out ALS | Pete Frates #3,” in recognition of the late Frates, former captain of the Boston College baseball team whose advocacy and innovative Ice Bucket Challenge resulted in millions of dollars raised for ALS research. Proceeds from the sale of the hats will benefit the Chelsea Jewish Lifecare Center’s Leonard Florence Residence, home to 40 patients receiving specialized care that allows them to live as independently as possible.

The limited edition hats are $20 each, and on sale now, right here.

All MLB teams wore special patches in recognition of Gehrig during Wednesday’s games.

“I’ve been aware of it, been aware of ALS for a while, especially playing in the Boston organization,” said Dalbec. “One of my really good friends, Nick Sciortino, who I came up with, he played at Boston College and I was really close with him, so I talk with him about it, too. Obviously, Lou Gehrig was a special human, Pete was a special human. It’s special to be able to play the game knowing guys like Lou Gehrig played and had an impact on the game and where it is today."

Workman decision close

With Brandon Workman’s fate still unsettled a day after he informed the Red Sox he was going to exercise his opt-out clause, the righty did throw a bullpen session at Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday.

Within the next 24 hours or so, the Red Sox will either promote him to their roster or grant him free agency.

The reliever was part of championship-winning seasons for Boston in 2013 and ’18 before getting traded to the Phillies last season. The Sox signed him to a Minor League deal after he was released by the Cubs and sent him to Triple-A on May 8.

“I spoke to [chief baseball officer] Chaim [Bloom],” said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. “We still have 24 hours to make a decision. We're going through the process, we're talking a lot, where we're at roster wise, what benefits or doesn't benefit us. The conversations are going on.”