The Boston Red Sox may be without their manager and a handful of players when they visit the White House to celebrate their 2018 World Series victory on Thursday afternoon. But Alex Cora says that does not mean they are divided in the clubhouse. Cora told ESPN on Wednesday that Wednesday night's 2-1 extra-innings win is a prime example that the team remains united on the field despite split decisions about a trip to President Donald Trump's White House. Cora, who from Puerto Rico, said earlier in the week he would "not feel comfortable" celebrating alongside President Trump and his administration after the U.S. government's response to Hurricane Maria, which struck Puerto Rico in 2017. An outspoken critic of Trump's handling of relief efforts on the island, Cora confirmed he would not be accepting an invitation to the White House after several of his players, including David Price and Mookie Betts, said the same. But he doesn't believe his decision -- or those of Red Sox like Heath Hembree and J.D. Martinez who are expected to go -- means the team is divided against itself. "There's been a lot of talk about what's going on tomorrow and the clubhouse and we're divided with race and politics," Cora said Wednesday, per ESPN. "Those kids went out there and played their hearts out. We know who we are in the clubhouse. I know a lot of people doubt that, but we did what we did last year and canceled the noise. We showed up every day, and we played. "...There's a group going home," Cora continued. "There's a group going to the White House. Friday, we get back to playing baseball." According to Boston.com, 16 players and executives from the 2018 Red Sox have said they will be making the trip to meet with Trump and White House officials in celebration of their championship, while eight players are not planning to go. Another seven players have not made their intentions known and may or may not be part of the visit.<doc-sep>BALTIMORE — Ever since Sunday, when Red Sox manager Alex Cora revealed he would not attend Thursday’s White House celebration ceremony, the team has been under considerable scrutiny as some, not all, team members prepped for a visit with President Trump. After Wednesday night’s 2-1 12-inning victory, Cora brought up the pressure the team has been under as a positive. The team did not splinter and the team did not wilt, Cora said. And that meant something. “This was very gratifying today,” Cora said. “There’s been a lot of talk about what’s going on tomorrow, the clubhouse being divided, race, politics — whatever. Those kids went out there and they played their heart out. We know who we are in the clubhouse. We know a lot of people doubt that. But like last year, we cancel the noise, we show up every day, and we play.” Cora said as he was watched the game unfold, he told himself, “ ‘You know what, yeah.’ It was cool.” He elaborated. “For everybody that’s talking about us, the situation, crushing us throughout the week, well, they played extra innings,” Cora said. “They didn’t give in. and you see them in the clubhouse, they’re celebrating Heath (Hembree) because of the first save, they’re celebrating Jackie (Bradley Jr.’s game-saving catch), and now, we go. There’s a group that’s going home, and there’s a group going to the White House. And on Friday, we get back – get back to playing baseball.” The players going to the White House stayed Wednesday night in Baltimore. Those headed home flew on their own plane. The White House visitors will have to bus from Washington to Baltimore’s airport (during rush hour) in order to fly home. CROWDED INFIELD Eduardo Nunez is back already, Dustin Pedroia could be back by next week and Brock Holt could return a couple of weeks from now, too. That’s a lot of infielders returning to the Red Sox roster, which presents a dilemma. What will happen to rookie Michael Chavis, the so-far slick-fielding second baseman who happens to be the club’s hottest hitter, reaching base in 15 of his 17 games with six home runs,13 RBI and a .293 batting average? The Sox are loathe to send him back to Triple-A Pawtucket but they will not have much, if any, room to play. Pedroia will have to play, nearly every day, too. Nunez already is being squeezed for playing time. Chavis has played first base once, but the Red Sox have Mitch Moreland and Steve Pearce platooning there. And Rafael Devers is their everyday third baseman. So, no wonder Cora has asked Chavis to spend part of batting practice recently standing with outfield coach Tom Goodwin. Because you never know. “There’s a lot of people coming back healthy — obviously we have to look for options,” Cora said. “It’s nothing that he’s working at, but it will be good just for him to stand there and see the flight of the ball. He’s never done it before.” Before Chavis starts shagging — if he starts shagging — tracking the ball is where the process begins. “Especially when you play half the games at home — that’s tough,” Cora said. “At second he’s done a good job. He can play first, he can play third, obviously we’ve got the DH spot. He’s been swinging the bat well. That’s something we can’t ignore. He’s been putting up good at-bats. The more options the better. I’m not going to say he’s going to start working there but at least see the flight of the ball is a start.” PEDEY IN PORTLAND Pedroia, on rehab with Double-A Portland, did not play Tuesday because of wet conditions, but Wednesday he began a stretch of playing three games in a row. . . . Holt rejoined the team to work out Wednesday and attend the White House ceremony. He’ll work out with the team again Friday at Fenway Park. Assuming his impinged shoulder continues to respond well, Holt likely will be sent out on a rehab assignment as soon as next week. “He’s doing OK,” Cora said. “It seems like he’s progressing. Obviously still in the throwing program. We’ll see how it goes. But better than a few days ago.” JOHNSON PROGRESSES The day after throwing in the bullpen, Brian Johnson (shoulder) reported no soreness other than at himself for not locating his pitches better. “That’s good when you start thinking about stuff like that,” Cora said. “Friday, he’ll play catch and then we’ll make a decision what we’re going to do, if we want another simulated game or if we’re sending him on a rehab assignment.” . . . Nathan Eovaldi had the stitches taken out of his elbow following surgery. He rejoined the team for the White House visit. . . . David Price (elbow tendinitis) played catch Wednesday. He will be re-evaluated Friday. All indications are that his setback is a minor one, and he will not need a rehab assignment when he returns. “With David, I don’t see that, it’s quick enough, I don’t see that,” Cora said. “David is a guy, he knows his body. Nothing is going to change as long as he feels good mechanic-wise and command-wise. If we have to make that decision, we’ll make it.” . . . Cora will not be monitoring his team’s visit to the White House. “I’ve got twins, brother,” Cora said before Wednesday’s game. “We’ll do something. It’s got to be somewhere, I know that. It’s family time.” . . . Eduardo Rodriguez will start Friday’s first game of the series against the Seattle Mariners at Fenway, with Rick Porcello on Saturday. Sunday still is TBA, although Hector Velazquez, Josh Smith and Ryan Weber are candidates. … Chris Sale had 14 strikeouts Wednesday and has tallied at least 10 in his last four starts. … Andrew Benintendi, who hit the game-winning home run in the 12th, has six RBI in his last seven games and 13 in his last 17. … Mookie Betts hit seventh home run of the season, his 14th in 42 career games at Camden Yards. Only David Ortiz, with 29, has more here. … Sandy Leon had two hits, the first time this season he has had more than one hit in a game.<doc-sep>When the Boston Red Sox visit the White House on Thursday to celebrate their 2018 World Series championship, their manager will not be joining along. The Sox manager confirmed Sunday he wouldn’t attend the ceremony, saying he made the decision after speaking to loved ones and family members. Cora, a native of Puerto Rico, has been vocal about his displeasure with President Donald Trump’s lack of relief efforts for his homeland. The skipper originally planned to go, but was indecisive until Sunday. And during his weekly appearance on WEEI’s “Ordway, Merloni and Fauria,” Cora opened up a bit more as to why he won’t be making the trip to Pennsylvania Avenue. “… For me, just being around the island and knowing what is going on, how people are, it doesn?t feel right,” Cora said, as transcribed by WEEI. “The government has helped, but we have a long way to go. I put it in capital letters, this is our reality. I am the guy that has lived it. I am down there in the offseason and understand how it is. I just don?t feel right going to celebrate while people are struggling back home.” Cora joins David Price, Rafael Devers, Christian Vazquez, Hector Velazquez and Sandy Leon, to name a few, who won’t be at the White House. But just because some players have decided to attend while others decided against it, the skipper noted it hasn’t — and won’t — cause any sort of divide in the clubhouse. “I talked to some players. They understand my reasoning,” Cora said. “I understand why they wanna go and I understand why some of the guys don’t wanna go. … They let us make a decision … so I think we did it the right way. Tomorrow is gonna be a great day for the organization.” Once the Sox conclude their visit at the Oval Office, they’ll get right back to work with a three-game set against the Seattle Mariners beginning Friday at Fenway Park.<doc-sep>
About 20 members of the Boston Red Sox were scheduled to visit the White House on Thursday to celebrate their 2018 World Series championship, but manager Alex Cora said there's no dissension between players and staff who attended and those who declined. Cora and several star players backed out of the ceremonial event. Cora said he decided not to go because of President Donald Trump's attitude toward the manager's native Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria in 2017. "There's been a lot of talk about what's going on (Thursday) and the clubhouse and we're divided with race and politics," Cora said. "Those kids went out there and played their hearts out. We know who we are in the clubhouse. I know a lot of people doubt that, but we did what we did last year and canceled the noise. We showed up every day, and we played." The Red Sox are off Thursday, and the White House visit coincides with the recently completed road trip in Baltimore. "There's a group going home. There's a group going to the White House," Cora said. "Friday, we get back to playing baseball." Among the Red Sox players who decided to skip the trip are Mookie Betts, Jackie Bradley Jr. and David Price. Pitcher Heath Hembree said he sees the invitation as a rare opportunity, and his decision to go has nothing to do with who occupies the Oval Office. "Politically, it didn't matter who was in the White House," he said. "If I have an opportunity to go to the White House and meet the president, I'm going to go. Nobody tried to persuade me. They have their reasons why not to go." --Field Level Media