If everyone stays on turn, veteran right-hander Corey Kluber would start the opener in three weeks against the Orioles, followed by Sale. Right-handers Nick Pivetta and Tanner Houck should join them, though Pivetta was slowed by a nasty case of COVID and Houck couldn't find the plate in his spring debut. Kutter Crawford looks like he has the inside track on the fifth spot.
Bello strained his forearm on Feb. 17 and has only played catch or thrown bullpens since, though he said last week that he believes he's throwing at 80 or 90 percent. The same goes for Whitlock, who underwent offseason hip surgery and has been held out of fielding drills. Managerhas taken pains to note that if Whitlock misses a week or two at the start of the season, it's purely for precautionary reasons."We've got a plan," Cora said.