Red Sox reconfigure coaching staff in John Farrell’s absence

The changes Torey Lovullo and the Red Sox made will take effect for Monday night’s game against the Cleveland Indians.Jim Rogash/Getty Images

The Red Sox have reconfigured their coaching staff to account for the absence of manager John Farrell.

Bullpen coach Dana LeVangie was named bench coach under interim manager Torey Lovullo. Triple A pitching coach Bob Kipper was promoted to bullpen coach.

The changes will take effect for Monday night’s game against the Cleveland Indians.

“We wanted to stay internal. We know these two guys know baseball on a really good level, especially from within our system,” Lovullo said Sunday before the Seattle Mariners beat the Sox, 10-8, in 12 innings.

LeVangie, 46, has been on the major league staff the last three seasons and also serves as the catching instructor. The Brockton native was an advance scout for seven seasons before joining the field staff.

LeVangie’s scouting acumen should serve Lovullo well in the dugout.

“To have that bench coach there to challenge some of my thoughts, to endorse some of my thoughts, is going to be nice to have, especially given Dana’s background,” Lovullo said. “There’s immediate trust there.”

The Sox also feel having LeVangie in the dugout will further assist with the development of rookie catcher Blake Swihart.

Kipper, 51, was the major league bullpen coach in 2002 and has been with the organization as a pitching coach since 1999. He played eight seasons in the majors with the Angels, Pirates, and Twins.

Kipper’s familiarity with the young pitchers, particularly rookie lefthander Henry Owens, should prove helpful in the coming weeks.

Farrell was at Fenway Park on Sunday and in good spirits. He starts lymphoma treatments at Massachusetts General Hospital this week.

The Indians coming into Boston is well timed. Cleveland manager Terry Francona is one of Farrell’s best friends and will accompany him to MGH on Tuesday when he begins chemotherapy.

In the interim, Farrell is helping out Lovullo with feedback and advice.

“The best part about my day is walking in and seeing him smile and laugh. Having him around right now is really good for all of us,” Lovullo said.

No Ramirez yet

Hanley Ramirez missed his seventh consecutive game because of a bruised left foot. He has not played since Aug. 7.

The Red Sox typically wait six or seven days before deciding whether a player should go on the disabled list. But for now, the wait continues.

“Hanley’s doing OK. He’s improving every day,” Lovullo said.

Ramirez went through testing and could get on the field Monday for further evaluation.

“We’ll see where he’s at,” Lovullo said. “It’s getting closer. We’re comfortable in saying that his return could be close.”

Pablo Sandoval, who was hit on the right elbow by Felix Hernandez on Saturday, also missed the game. Tests were negative but there is swelling.

“Pablo came in today a little cranky with that elbow,” Lovullo said. “We took it out of his hands. We thought, here’s a guy that got hit pretty good and is dealing with a little bit of discomfort. So instead of forcing him to get out there we said to take the day.”

Sandoval was 4 for 6 with two doubles, a home run, and four RBIs in the first two games of the series.

Porcello progressing

Rick Porcello threw 36 pitches over 3⅔ scoreless innings for Single A Lowell on Saturday. It was the first game of what he hopes will be a two-game minor league rehabilitation assignment.

“Felt fine. Very encouraged with how I threw the ball,” said Porcello, who is on the disabled list with a triceps strain.

Porcello’s outing was cut short by a thunderstorm, with lightning striking close by to LeLacheur Park.

“Yeah, they got me out of there,” Porcello said. “But overall it went well.”

Porcello is expected to pitch in another minor league game again Wednesday or Thursday. This is the first time in his career he has been on the disabled list.

“I’m anxious to get back,” he said. “With all the injuries we’ve had, I want to get back and help out.”

Barnes returns

Matt Barnes will be promoted from Pawtucket to start against the Indians on Monday. It will be his first major league start after 26 relief appearances the last two seasons.

Barnes has a 5.64 earned run average in 21 relief outings with the Sox this season. His last two appearances for the PawSox were starts in which he went a combined eight innings, allowing five runs on 11 hits. He walked six and struck out seven.

Lovullo said Barnes should be able to give the Red Sox 90-100 pitches.

“We’re going to go full throttle with him,” Lovullo said. “This isn’t going to be unchartered waters for him.”

Streaking on

Jackie Bradley Jr. is 14 for 27 on a six-game hitting streak with five doubles, two triples, and three home runs. His seven extra-base hits were the most in a series by a Red Sox player since Dwight Evans had eight in three games against the Tigers in 1988 . . . Travis Shaw (3 for 5) is 15 for 32 (.469) at Fenway Park with four home runs . . . Brock Holt, who slumped after appearing in the All-Star Game, is 10 for his last 20 with four extra-base hits . . . David Ortiz has 30 RBIs in 27 games since the All-Star break. He has hit safely in eight straight, raising his batting average to .263 and OPS to .861 . . . Catcher Ryan Hanigan celebrated his 35th birthday.