Regarding role, Lugo rolls with the punches
Julio Lugo arched his eyebrows, feigning surprise as a pack of reporters approached him Wednesday afternoon in Baltimore. “What happened?’’ Lugo said.
Lugo has become a forgotten player at times this season, but he brought attention to himself with a game-winning single in the 11th inning against the Orioles. While Nick Green has usurped the starting shortstop position, Lugo has become a valuable hitter off the bench and in spot starts.
He is not happy that manager Terry Francona, who had little choice given Lugo’s lack of defensive range, made him a bench player. But Lugo has not voiced displeasure, contributing at the plate when called upon.
“When you don’t play every day, it’s hard,’’ Lugo said. “But you go out there and be sharp. I try to stay as positive as I can and do my best. When I’m playing, I’m not just going to go out there and feel sorry for myself. I know what I got. I know what kind of player I am. I’m going to do my best.’’
For the season, Lugo is batting .301. Since June 6, when his playing time nosedived, Lugo is 10 for 21 (.476) with two doubles, four RBIs, and six runs. On June 12 in Philadelphia, as a pinch hitter, he sparked a winning rally with a single.
“He’s been good offensively,’’ Francona said. “That hasn’t been why he hasn’t played. But he hasn’t thrown at-bats away, that’s for sure.
While he has thrived on offense in spotty playing time, Lugo has not accepted the role.
“I’m not used to it,’’ he said. “I’m not trying to make an adjustment to it. I’m not used to it yet. I’m not comfortable.’’
Admittedly, Lugo desires an everyday role. But he has not become a disturbance.
“Oh, no, I’m not going to do that,’’ Lugo said. Francona “knows what kind of player I am. They know. That’s why they signed me as an everyday shortstop.’’
Whenever Jed Lowrie returns from the disabled list, the Red Sox will find themselves with a glut of shortstops. Because Green can play multiple positions, it is conceivable the Sox could carry all three on the roster.
More likely, they would need to rid themselves of a shortstop, and trading Lugo would be one method. If the Red Sox trade Lugo, they would likely have to eat part of his contract, which pays him $9 million per season over this season and next.
“Every day you come to the field and put the uniform on,’’ Lugo said, “you have the chance to do something.’’
“Getting Reymond out of the way was great,’’ McLeod said. “It kind of frees us up with getting some time to spend with our other top-10 guys.’’
The most demanding will be third-round choice David Renfroe, a high school pitcher/shortstop from Mississippi who was talented enough to be chosen in the first round.
Before the draft, reports circulated that Renfroe wanted $3 million to sign, or he would follow through on his commitment to the University of Mississippi. McLeod expects the negotiation to drag through the summer.
“We have no set timetable,’’ McLeod said. “We know Aug. 17 is staring at us there.’’
The other four unsigned from the first 10 rounds are sixth-round pick Branden Kline, a high school pitcher; seventh-round pick Madison Younginer, a high school pitcher; ninth-round pick Kendal Volz, a pitcher from Baylor; and 10th-round pick Brandon Jacobs, a high school outfielder who is committed to Auburn to play football.
Fuentes, the speedy cousin of New York Mets center fielder Carlos Beltran, will start playing in the Gulf Coast League. Fuentes has been compared with former first-round pick Jacoby Ellsbury.
“We’re real excited to get him out, get his career started,’’ McLeod said. “He’s an outstanding kid. Just really looking forward to seeing what he can do.’’
“If I’m not going to start, I’d like to be in some situations where something could happen,’’ Baldelli said. “There’s nothing better than being inserted into the game with the bases loaded. You couldn’t ask for much more than that. I’m liking it. I’m starting to really get into a role. It’s good.’’
How has Baldelli, in half a season, gone from a player unaccustomed to pinch hitting and not all that good at it to someone who thrives in the spot?
“Just kind of doing it,’’ Baldelli said. “I guess there’s no other way to get used to it. Just the experience of going through it. It’s not a bad gig. It’s pretty good.’’
Adam Kilgore can be reached at akilgore@globe.com 
