The last time the Red Sox found themselves in need of an emergency starter, on Friday vs. the Pirates, things worked out nicely. The team lost the game, of course, but got a jolt from the debut of speed-baller Payton Tolle, who was electric in making his debut.
On Wednesday, the team is going to need another starter again. And it will likely dip into the minors for a solution.
The need has arisen because though the Red Sox are keeping Tolle in the rotation, they want to continue giving him an extra day of rest, as they’d done throughout the season in his first year in the minors. While manager Alex Cora has been coy about the decision on a starter, speculation holds that the Red Sox will bump up Kyle Harrison, who was part of the team’s scant return package for Rafael Devers in the June trade with the Giants.
Kyle Harrison Was Acquired in Rafael Devers Trade
Harrison opened the season in the Giants’ rotation, but was demoted to the bullpen after a rough beginning to the season. He started four times in his eight appearances this season, going 1-1 with a 4.56 ERA.
The Red Sox have opted to have Harrison iron out his issues at Triple-A Worcester since bringing him on in June, passing him over on a handful of occasions when the team has needed a start. But now with Walker Buehler released and injuries to the likes of Hunter Dobbins, Richard Fitts and Cooper Criswell, it looks like Harrison’s number will be called.
Red Sox Considering Options
Harrison is 4-2 with a 3.65 ERA in his 11 starts for the WooSox, though his walk number (26 in 49.1 innings) is higher than the Red Sox would like. That has not changed recently, but over his last eight starts he has pitched around his free passes, going 3-0 with a 2.26 ERA.
Here’s what Cora had to say about calling up Harrison for Wednesday’s start (via MassLive):
“There’s a lot of guys that we’re considering,” Cora said. “It’s TBD the last day obviously understanding Tolle’s workload,” Cora said yesterday. “We have to be cautious with that.”
Red Sox Get Opening Win Over Guardians
As for the series against the Guardians, the Red Sox got off to a good start, withstanding an iffy outing from Brayan Bello to secure a 6-4 win, their second straight victory. Bello gave up three runs in 5.0 innings, allowing six hits and three walks.
The Red Sox got a pinch-hit RBI from Carlos Narvaez–his first-ever pinch-hit in his career–and a homer from Trevor Story in the game, as Story’s “blast” actually tapped off of right-fielder Jhonkensy Noel’s glove as he attempted to make the catch, and hit the Pesky Pole in right. That gave Story a rare 306-foot home run.
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