Ramiro

Mendoza

He felt a twinge in his upper hammy after he pitched two perfect innings Tuesday night, but felt much better yesterday.

Consider the Red Sox reliever day-to-day.

Ramiro Mendoza entered the ninth inning with an 8-3 lead and was torched for four earned runs on six hits in one inning. The Red Sox are 4-1, so they aren’t panicking, but their bullpen has already been a source of concern.

Mendoza told Newsday he thinks he’ll be ready to return from shoulder surgery in May.

It’s not official yet. The Yankees just announced Rey Sanchez’s signing yesterday, so it could be weeks before Mendoza’s deal is truly finalized.

Mendoza is scheduled to make his first spring appearance on March 22. He’s likely to open the season on the disabled list.

Mendoza actually had a rough outing yesterday, giving up three runs in the fifth after pitching a scoreless fourth, but he’s still impressed the Red Sox since returning from a strained abdominal muscle.

“He sliced it. It was a freaky thing,” said manager Terry Francona. “Hopefully he’ll be available over the next couple of days. It’s not life-threatening. We’ll see how it goes.” Mendoza is likely to start the season on the DL as he recovers from a strained abdominal muscle.

Mendoza has 57 career starts, all with the Yankees, posting a 4.94 ERA as a starter. He’s scheduled to go four innings today for Single-A Fort Myers. GM Theo Epstein said Mendoza will not necessarily return as a starter, though his availability could help.

Mendoza went on the DL yesterday with tendinitis in his knee, but it didn’t prevent him from from working with pitching coach Dave Wallace in the bullpen. He’ll almost certainly be healthy when his 15 days are up, but whether he’ll have worked through the problems that have allowed opponents to hit .364 off him (worst among AL relievers) by then is another issue.