RED SOX JOURNAL: Injured Brasier recovering in Fla. hospital

Ryan Brasier (left calf) suffered a significant setback in his rehab work on Friday. 

Brasier was hit behind the right ear by a line drive while pitching in a simulated game. The Red Sox reliever was transported to a local hospital in the Fort Myers area and will spend the next 24 hours under observation. 

Brasier was throwing at JetBlue Park, which serves as Boston’s spring training home. This was the last hurdle prior to him reporting to Fenway Park next week and being sent on a rehab assignment. The right-hander hasn’t pitched this season after reporting late to spring training and suffering his initial injury in late March. 

“I texted with Brasier on the way here — around 1:30 (p.m.),” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “It’s been a tough four or five months for him.  

“It wasn’t a baseball text. He’s one of our guys. He’s been here for three or four years and we care about him. We put baseball out of the equation — this is about the human being. We just want him to be healthy.” 

Brasier made 25 appearances last season and was closing in on a return to the Red Sox bullpen. He was a key piece of the relief corps for the 2018 World Series champions and gained Cora’s confidence through a superb postseason run. Brasier is viewed as a potential high-leverage depth piece ahead of Matt Barnes, joining Adam Ottavino and Darwinzon Hernandez. 

“We’re going to have more information throughout the day,” Cora said. “What I ask from you guys is to pray for him and give your thoughts to his family. We will know a little more throughout the night and through tomorrow.” 

Feeling right at home

Brandon Workman spent his second afternoon settling in with Boston on Friday. 

The right-hander was touched for a solo home run in a 5-1 victory over Houston, closing out Thursday’s victory at Minute Maid Park with three outs in the bottom of the ninth inning. Workman was added to both the 26-man and 40-man rosters prior to first pitch. Colten Brewer was optioned to Triple-A Worcester and then designated for assignment to make room.

“That feeling was there as soon as I got to Worcester,” Workman said. “Playing with guys I played with before and coaches I worked with for a decade, there’s definitely a comfortable feeling here. I think that is something for sure.” 

Workman was sharp for the WooSox, posting a 1.29 ERA in seven appearances. He was at 6.75 or worse over his last two stints with the Phillies and Cubs. Workman was designated for assignment by Chicago in late April after just 10 appearances. 

“I was in some bad mechanical habits,” Workman said. “I wasn’t throwing the ball the way I needed to. Then it kind of snowballed on me a little bit.” 

Workman was part of a four-man deadline trade with Philadelphia in August. He went to a potential National League playoff contender along with Heath Hembree, while the Red Sox received a pair of starting right-handers in Nick Pivetta and Connor Seabold. Workman hopes to regain the 2019 form that saw him dominate to the tune of a 1.88 ERA over 73 appearances. 

“From the first time I started pitching when I was 8 years old, that’s the toughest stretch I’ve been on,” Workman said. “I feel like that’s behind me now. Obviously, there’s still room to improve, but I feel like I’m throwing the ball closer to what I’m capable of.” 

Rooting on the Bruins

The Bruins survived an overtime thriller in Game 3 of their playoff series with the Islanders on Thursday night, and Cora was among those watching. 

He shared a few text messages with Boston coach Bruce Cassidy in the 24 hours after. It’s been common practice among the market’s four major professional franchises in recent seasons for their leadership to be in close contact. 

“Bruce has been in touch,” Cora said. “Actually, they asked me for suggestions for a few things in the playoffs. We go back and forth. We give each other ideas.  

“The more time you spend in the city and working here, you become fans of the teams you’re surrounded by. I don’t know much about hockey, but I’m pulling for the Bruins. There’s nothing better in our city than to have parades.” 

Cora and Boston were hosted by the Patriots after winning their most recent World Series in 2018. The manager joked he needed a current cell phone number and the secret to repeated postseason success from New England coach Bill Belichick.  

Sox add three 

Boston has received its three players to be named later in the February three-team trade with the Royals and Mets. 

The Red Sox have acquired right-handers Luis De La Rosa and Grant Gambrell from Kansas City and outfielder Freddy Valdez from New York. Boston received outfielder Franchy Cordero from the Royals and right-hander Josh Winckowski from the Mets in exchange for outfielder Andrew Benintendi and cash.  

De La Rosa is an 18-year-old who was an international signing out of the Dominican Republic in July 2018. The converted shortstop debuted the following year in the Dominican Summer League and posted a 2.33 ERA. De La Rosa made starts in all but one of his 12 appearances and struck out 52 in 38 2/3 innings. 

Gambrell was a third-round pick out of Oregon State in the 2019 draft. He’s posted a 5.62 ERA in 16 professional appearances, including 15 starts. No. 3 overall selection Bobby Witt Jr. topped Kansas City’s class that summer, and Gambrell signed for below his slot value at $647,500. 

Valdez is a 6-foot-3, 212-pounder who currently ranks No. 14 in the Mets system per MLB.com. He played in the Dominican Summer League and the Rookie League for New York in 2019, slashing .274/.367/.448 with 25 extra-base hits and six home runs in 60 games. The 19-year-old was an international signing from the Dominican Republic for $1.45 million in July 2018. 

Cordero was optioned to Triple-A Worcester after an unproductive stint in Boston while Winckowski is off to a strong start at Double-A Portland. 

bkoch@providencejournal.com  

On Twitter: @BillKoch25