Layne has been working on pitches to become more effective against right-handed batters, the Providence Journal reports. "For me, either the ability to spin a bigger breaking ball or to have a changeup would benefit me. I'm doing both of them now in spring training. Whatever turns out being the better pitch is what I'm going to go with," said Layne.
Layne, a south-paw, has been death on left-handers, whom he held to a .148 average and .170 slugging percentage last season. His low-90s fastball and slider have been sufficient against same-siders, but right-handed hitters batted .322 and slugged .517 against him. Layne mowed down all three right-handers faced in Thursday's spring game, but he's still largely viewed as a lefty-specialist. The projected depth of Boston's bullpen should limit the number of times Layne is needed to face a right-handed batter in a high-leverage situation.