So . . . Truck Day Was Last Monday

I'm embarrassed to say I missed Truck Day. It was last Monday.

First sign of spring! #TruckDay | @JetBlue pic.twitter.com/V2pgYUyCMn

— Red Sox (@RedSox) February 8, 2021

I assumed it was being delayed because I thought MLB and the Union had not agreed on the length of the 2021 season.

Pitchers and catchers will report this Thursday (February 18) and the first game of the spring is scheduled for two weeks from today (February 28). The revised spring schedule includes games against only five teams: Atlanta (9 games), Twins (8), Rays (8), Orioles (2), and Pirates (2).

The Red Sox signed outfielder-first baseman Marwin Gonzalez, 31, to a one-year deal ($3 million). 

Martín Pérez has returned to the pitching staff. The team declined his $6.25 million option last November, but Pérez re-signed on Friday for 2021 at $4.5 million (with $6 million option for 2022). (Sounds like no other team expressed any interest.) Pérez allowed two earned runs or fewer in seven of his team-high 12 starts in 2020.

Boston invited 22 non-roster players to training camp, including first baseman Triston Casas, infielder Jeter Downs, outfielder Jarren Duran, right-handed pitcher Thad Ward, and second baseman Nick Yorke.