Alex Cora won’t be managing Monday’s series opener against the New York Mets, but the Red Sox skipper has a good reason to be away.
He will be down the road at Boston College celebrating his daughter Camila’s graduation.
“It’s going to be a very special day, one that I’m not going to miss,” Cora said. “I 100% will miss the game for that and I’ll do that any given day because it’s going to be a special day for us.”
Cora spoke at length prior to Sunday’s finale against the Atlanta Braves about his daughter and what the past few years have been like managing the team with her attending college down the road. He said the experience “went really fast” and that he couldn’t be prouder of the person she’s become.
“For a girl from divorced parents, her mom did an amazing job staying the course and while I was playing and coaching and doing my ESPN thing, Nilda was amazing with her. She’s actually a reflection of her, and I appreciate everything she’s done for her and for us,” Cora said. “Obviously our lives changed throughout and Angelica (Cora’s partner) has become like a mentor to her too and they’re very close and the fact that we were here while she was going through college, it meant a lot.”
He went on to reflect about how Camila was still just a little girl when the Red Sox enjoyed some of their most recent playoff successes, including the 2018 World Series victory against the Dodgers and the club’s last playoff series win over the Tampa Bay Rays in 2021.
“Now she’s not a little girl, she’s a woman,” Cora said. “She’s been a great student and the future is bright for her and we’re very proud of her.”
Prior to Sunday’s game Cora announced the upcoming starters for this week’s series against the New York Mets. Hunter Dobbins will start Monday’s opener, Tuesday’s starter is officially to be announced but Walker Buehler will most likely be activated from the injured list, and Garrett Crochet will pitch Wednesday’s finale.
The Mets are expected to go with Kodai Senga on Monday, Clay Holmes on Tuesday and Tylor Megill on Wednesday.
Infielder Romy Gonzalez (left quad contusion) is still feeling soreness when he slows down but could be activated by the end of the week. … Right-hander Richard Fitts (right pectoral strain) will throw a bullpen on Tuesday and is expected to begin a rehab assignment late in the week. … Right-hander Tanner Houck (right flexor pronator strain) has been shut down from throwing. … MLB announced Sunday that Phillies pitcher Jose Alvarado has been suspended 80 games without pay after testing positive for exogenous Testosterone, a performance-enhancing substance. Alvarado’s suspension is effective immediately and upon his return he will be ineligible to play in the postseason.