The Boston Red Sox find themselves prominently in a playoff race as we're entering mid-August. They didn't make a ton of moves at the trade deadline, but they did add a pair of pitchers in left-handed reliever Steven Matz and right-handed pitcher Dustin May.
Even with those two additions, they'll likely need arms down the stretch. You can go down the list and point out potential issues. The Sox just designated Jorge Alcala for assignment, and Jordan Hicks has struggled. Greg Weissert and Brennan Bernardino have shown fatigue (Bernardino was even sent to Triple-A). May didn't impress in his first start with the team, and Walker Buehler has been inconsistent.
Boston will likely be looking for a shot in the arm with some new (or new-ish) bullpen options to help in September and October. Luckily for them, Worcester is absolutely loaded with potential big league help. Let's sort them by their likelihood of factoring into the playoff push.
11 depth arms the Red Sox could call up in September, organized by likelihood
Unlikely to be called up this year (but not completely out of the question)
Connelly Early has been ridiculous this season. The left-handed pitcher should've been promoted to Triple-A much earlier than he was. That's what's going to set him back here.
Early is better utilized as a starter, and with him only scheduled to get a few appearances in Triple-A before September, the Red Sox are clearly looking at other options. It also works against him that he doesn't need to be placed on the 40-man roster until next offseason. That might make the Red Sox a bit more patient with him.
Bryan Mata was once one of the top prospects in all of baseball. Some ridiculously bad luck with injuries has really derailed his career. Now 26 and still yet to make his major league debut, Mata has had a roller coaster year. He's on a hot streak right now, though.
The right-handed pitcher has a 0.00 ERA with 11 strikeouts over his last six appearances (8 2/3 innings). Mata throws 100 MPH and racks up strikeouts. There are quite a few options ahead of him, though.
Maybe? Maybe.
Nick Burdi has been elite in Triple-A this year and looked good in a short stint with Boston. However, the righty missed a ton of time due to injury. That hurts his chances a bit.
Zack Kelly was better in Boston than people think. He has control issues, but he gets strikeouts, and his 5.56 ERA looks better when you consider he has a 3.64 FIP.
Kyle Harrison was a major piece of the return for Rafael Devers. Due to that, many are clamoring to see him back in the majors. The right-handed pitcher's also looked fantastic in recent starts.
However, I feel like the Red Sox are reworking a lot with him and might want to let him figure it all out in Triple-A and be ready for the rotation in 2026.
More likely than not
Richard Fitts throws the ball hard but struggles with missing bats. The right-handed pitcher's also given up a few too many home runs.
Do you know what could help with that? Having him go out there for one or two innings at a time. Fitts will be able to unload and put more effort into his pitches. That could help him get more whiffs.
Cooper Criswell churned out a gem in his spot start after the trade deadline. He was solid in the majors in 2024, and he's been incredible in Triple-A in 2025. Criswell isn't a star, but he's a serviceable pitcher who doesn't get the respect he deserves. If the Red Sox call on him, he could absolutely get the job done.
Jovani Moran is one name more fans should be asking for. The Red Sox acquired him in a trade in the offseason, and he started the year rehabbing.
Moran didn't start pitching until June, but has dominated since getting back to Triple-A. The left-handed pitcher has a 2.60 ERA, .215 BAA, 0.98 WHIP, and 25 strikeouts in 17 1/3 innings with Worcester. He also has major league experience.
Tyler Uberstine might be one of the most underrated arms in the system. The Red Sox surprised me by starting him in Double-A this season, after throwing just 4 2/3 innings in High-A last year due to injury.
However, Uberstine has rewarded them for their aggressiveness. After six starts in Double-A, he was promoted to Triple-A. The right-handed pitcher has moved to the bullpen recently and has been filthy in two appearances.
He has allowed one run on two hits over five innings. With 10 strikeouts compared to just two walks, his stuff clearlyplays out of the bullpen.
Make it happen
David Sandlin was moved to the bullpen this week, shortly after his promotion to Triple-A. The move was an indication that the Red Sox are interested in using him as a reliever this year.
Sandlin can hit 100 MPH and has some filthy off-speed stuff. It also helps him (where it hurt Early) that he needs to be placed on the 40-man roster this offseason or else be available in the Rule 5 Draft. Boston will clearly protect him, so they might as well add him in August/September and get some 2025 innings out of him.
The right-handed pitcher could still be a starter in the majors, but a bullpen version of Sandman might be disgusting.
Payton Tolle is a starter. He was the second-round pick of the Red Sox in 2025 for a reason. The left-handed pitcher hasn't made them regret it one bit, flying through the minors.
Tolle was promoted to Triple-A earlier this week. Although he has only made two appearances out of the bullpen this year, with the most recent coming on July 4. However, the Red Sox have been lowering his pitch count in recent outings.
It feels like the promotion after just 27 innings in Double-A and the lowering pitch count are both indicators that Boston would like to get Tolle in the bullpen this year. That will be electric.