ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Dave Dombrowski is a busy man in these last anxious days before the Red Sox open the season against the Pittsburgh Pirates Monday afternoon at Fenway Park.
On the roster front, the Sox’ president of baseball operations opted to bestow the 25th roster spot (at least temporarily) to Steve Selsky, an off-season pickup from the Cincinnati Reds who provides depth and defense at first base while the club waits and hopes Hanley Ramirez can log some time at the position.
And speaking of defense, Dombrowski also used some time Saturday to clear the air over the team’s awkward explanations regarding the status of reliever Tyler Thornburg, whose shoulder impingement will land him on the disabled list to start the season.