Farrell: 'Our players are pretty clear that I have their back'

Manager John Farrell insists he supports his Boston Red Sox players following a report that suggested some believe the skipper doesn't stand up for them enough to the media when the team is struggling.

"I think our team, our players are pretty clear that I do have their back, and I think there are plenty of examples to indicate as such," Farrell told WEEI's "Dale and Holley Show" on Wednesday.

The report from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports on Tuesday followed a heated exchange between Farrell and Drew Pomeranz in the dugout Saturday after the manager removed the left-hander to begin the fifth inning due to a high pitch count.

Boston has gotten off to an inconsistent start this season and recently dropped three of four to the Oakland Athletics before winning its last two games against the Texas Rangers. The report from Rosenthal prompted Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski to offer support to Farrell publicly.

"I think we're in a position where he's managed well, he's managed divisional champions," Dombrowski said. "I think we're in a position, we have a good club, we just need to get in a better flow of things."

Farrell acknowledged that reports about him being on the hot seat are nothing new, and won't change how he operates.

"I'll be honest with you, there's been a lot more reports than just today or yesterday," Farrell said. "It doesn't change my focus and that is to put forth the effort to win and focus on the behalf of this team. So that has never changed my approach towards a game tonight or a game yesterday or what's upcoming tomorrow."