Caleb Durbin reestablished offensive approach while benched by the Red Sox — and results show big progress
For all practical purposes, Caleb Durbin had lost his job as an everyday player for the Red Sox by late May. Despite elite defense at third base, Durbin’s offensive struggles — with a .163/.241/.238 mark through May 24, he’d been arguably the worst hitter in the big leagues — had relegated him to spot duty.
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But Durbin continued trying to reestablish an approach that would earn him playing time. He also tried to use time on the bench to gain perspective on the game, to identify cues from watching others that could help him get out of his rut.
Over the last two weeks, he’s done just that. With Nick Sogard (oblique strain) on the injured list, Durbin started each of the last 12 games, hitting .341/.348/.636 with eight extra-base hits.
In Wednesday’s 7-5 loss to the Rays, he realized a string of offensive landmarks — his first big league multi-homer game, the hardest-hit homer of his career (108 miles per hour), and the hardest ball he’d hit as a member of the Red Sox.
“I think I’m just attacking the … correct side of the ball. I’m staying inside it,” said Durbin. “Trending in the right direction. But obviously, still a lot of work to be done.”
Members of the Sox have been thrilled to see Durbin, after sagging under the weight of his struggles for two months, catching his stride.
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“I think it’s kind of a testament to his work and consistency across the whole season. Regardless of the performance from the start of the season until now, he never took a day off in the cages. He never took a day off from a consistency or effort standpoint. He was the same guy, always here early,” said hitting coach John Soteropulos. “The results showing up on the field more now, it’s great.”
Bello’s minors start washed out
Righthander Brayan Bello’s first scheduled start since being optioned to Triple-A Worcester was rained out.
Bello had been scheduled to start Game 2 of a doubleheader in Rochester, N.Y., against the Red Wings (Nationals). He had warmed up when the rain arrived shortly before game time. With the washout, his outing will likely get pushed to Saturday.
Sandoval takes mound again
Lefthander Patrick Sandoval made his second rehab appearance for the WooSox in Game 1 of the doubleheader, logging 33 pitches over 1⅔ innings while allowing one run on one hit (home run), walking one, and striking out three. He leaned heavily on his changeup, which elicited four swings-and-misses, and topped out at 95.5 miles per hour with his sinker … The Red Sox released three pitchers from their minor league system. Righthander Jacob Webb, who’d spent part of the last three years in Triple-A; lefthander T.J. Sikkema, who appeared in two games for the WooSox this year; and righthander CJ Liu, a native of Taiwan who in 2023 threw a seven-inning no-hitter for Double-A Portland but hadn’t pitched since ′24 because of injuries.
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