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Red Sox Spring Training Blog: Chris Capuano Arrives

FORT MYERS, Fla.  (CBS) - Another day of workouts in the books on this Saturday down here at Red Sox Spring Training in Fort Myers.

Here are some notes and observations:

CHRIS CAPUANO

Chris Capuano was on the field with his new teammates after signing a one year contract and passing his physical.

Capuano was born and raised in West Springfield and graduated from Cathedral High School. He will wear number 55. He says he grew up a Sox fan and was devastated by the 1986 World Series at the age of 8.

Chris Capuano
Chris Capuano. (WBZ-TV)

Amazingly, the only park that the 31-year-old hasn't pitched in as a big leaguer is Fenway. He said he did pitch there once when he played for Massachusetts in a Mass. vs Connecticut All-Star game when he was in high school. He's expected to be extended as a starter in the spring, but will be used as a third lefty out of the bullpen, at least initially once the season begins.

ANDREW MILLER

John Farrell says Andrew Miller has had no issues with the left foot he broke last July that forced him to miss the second half of the year.

Farrell says Miller has some timing issues because he's all limbs.  Other than that, Farrell is expecting big things from him this season.

GRADY SIZEMORE

Farrell said Grady Sizemore had a great day on Thursday - great running the bases, playing outfield defense and facing live hitting. He said they may have to temper him as they go along. After all, he hasn't played in the big leagues since 2011 and hasn't played close to a full season since 2008. The slower the better with him sounds best.

DAVID ROSS

I talked to David Ross about how as a catcher there is no time or place for an ego or for not going all out. As soon as your head gets big or you lose focus - a ball gets by you or you get hit by a foul tip, etc.  Catching is always a grind, but it's the best place to learn the game and keep it with you forever. I had both of my kids at least start there in baseball and softball because it keeps you in the game at a young age and makes you learn it quickly.

OPEN HOUSE

The Red Sox held an "open house" at JetBlue Park on Saturday from 11 a.m.-to-3 p.m. Lots of fans came through touring the ballpark, hitting the pro shop, buying concessions and posing for pictures with the three World Series trophies.

Attendance numbers continue to soar down here - 14,100 for the open house and a new record at the workout of 4,262.

UNION MEETING

Early in the day, the players had a 90-minute meeting with the MLBPA heads.

Union Chief Tony Clark went over numerous issues with the players from drug testing to salaries to qualifying offers-draft compensation (see: Stephen Drew). It was stop number two on their tour. They were headed to the Twins camp also here in Fort Myers.

Once they hit the field, the Sox worked on defense. Lots of ground balls and then pop ups and communication.

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