WASHINGTON — Rainy days aren’t so bad after all.

While the Red Sox-Nationals exhibition game at Nationals Park was postponed Friday, the sound of the rain was like a symphony to Ben Taylor.

The hard-throwing youngster who impressed with his poise and stuff throughout spring training will be the 12th pitcher on the staff when the Red Sox open against the Pirates Monday in Boston.

Taylor, 24, made it because Tyler Thornburg, Drew Pomeranz, and David Price are starting the season on the disabled list. The Red Sox could have gone with a more seasoned pitcher such as Noe Ramirez, but the brass huddled during the rain delay and made the call.

Taylor made the team as a nonroster invitee, which is rare.

“I was very surprised,’’ said Taylor. “I came into camp not really expecting to make the team, but all the pieces fell into place. Perfect timing.

“I’ve been feeling really good this spring. All my pitches have been working really well. I’m throwing the ball well and it paid off.’’

Manager John Farrell was impressed by the righthander’s 19 strikeouts over 13 innings, but more important, he said, “It was the poise and mound presence he showed as a young pitcher.’’

Taylor’s time with the major league team could be short-lived, depending on when Thornburg is ready, but who knows?

“The hope is always to make the big league club,’’ Taylor said. “It’s a real honor to be here. I’ve always had that hope. I didn’t necessarily think I could make it, but this is a great surprise.

“You never know what they’re going to say when they call you in, but that was an awesome experience. Carl [Willis, pitching coach] called me in and talked to me along with John and Dave Dombrowski.’’

Choking up a bit, Taylor said his first call was to his wife. The second call was to his parents.

“She was ecstatic,’’ he said about his wife. “My parents were over the moon, too. It’s a dream I’ve had my whole life.’’

In most games this spring, Taylor pitched against minor leaguers, but there were a few times he faced major leaguers, and he didn’t disappoint. Being able to strike out a major leaguer gave him a lot of confidence, he said. And that confidence seemed to grow with every outing.

At 6 feet 3 inches, 245 pounds, Taylor generates power. He throws his fastball at 94-96 miles per hour, and his secondary pitches (changeup and slider) have been pretty effective.

Taylor was a seventh-round pick out of South Alabama after transferring out of Chattahoochee Valley Community College.

He attended high school at Brewbaker Technology Magnet High in Montgomery, Ala. He didn’t get much attention.

He credits Rick Porcello with showing him how things are done.

“Rick is very businesslike,’’ said Taylor. “He goes about his day like a true professional, and I tried to implement that. I talked to him a lot. Great guy.’’

Growing up a Braves fan, Taylor was a big fan of Hall of Famer John Smoltz.

And he will never look at rainy days the same way again.

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Chris Sale was able to get in a four-inning simulated game instead of making his start, while Matt Barnes also got in two innings of simulation. Sale said he didn’t mind missing the game and felt it wouldn’t hurt him at all . . . Farrell reported that first baseman Mitch Moreland was improved from the flu that’s running through the team. Farrell said Moreland did some light work in Friday in Fort Myers, Fla., and will take batting practice Saturday before leaving to rejoin the team in time for Monday’s opener . . . Farrell also said that Hanley Ramirez threw from 100 feet and should be ready to play the field by the time the team plays in Detroit next Friday . . . Farrell on the end of camp, which was a little trying. “Any time you have injuries, there’s concern for the individuals. I’m excited about David [Price] making strides at his own rate with the throwing program. Because of some flu, some major injuries and minor injuries, our roster will remain fluid for the first two or three weeks of the season.’’ Farrell said all that remained was naming that final positional player. It would appear to be Marco Hernandez, but the manager wasn’t willing to make that official.

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The Red Sox reassigned righthanded pitchers Austin Maddox and Jamie Callahan to Portland and Chandler Shepherd to Pawtucket . . . Ruben Amaro Sr., the father of first base coach Ruben Amaro Jr., died at age 81 Friday. Amaro Sr. played 11 seasons in the majors, mostly with the Phillies and Yankees, and mostly as a shortstop . . . The Pawtucket Hall of Fame will induct Carlton Fisk, Mo Vaughn, and former manager Joe Morgan this season, at a date to be announced . . . The weather should clear up for the Sox-Nationals game at the Naval Academy on Saturday at 2 p.m. Eduardo Rodriguez will oppose Max Scherzer.

Nick Cafardo can be reached at cafardo@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @nickcafardo.