Multiple injuries to Boston Red Sox starting pitchers mean the team will have to put its improved rotation depth to good use in the early goings of the upcoming season.
Lucas Giolito and Brayan Bello will begin the 2025 campaign on the injured list with hamstring tightness and shoulder soreness, respectively. Quinn Priester, Richard Fitts, Sean Newcomb and Cooper Criswell are among the Sox's top options to temporarily fill their spots toward the back of the rotation.
Luckily, Giolito and Bello's injuries are mild, and the Sox got good news in Bello's latest update. Christopher Smith of MassLive reported on March 18 that the young righty is targeting a return "by the first or second week of April."
Brayan Bello to begin season on 15-day IL, hopes to debut in Red Sox rotation by second week of April
Bello will start the campaign on the 15-day IL and will not travel to Arlington, Texas, to open the season with the team. Instead, he'll remain at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers to continue his recovery. Bello threw a live batting practice on March 17 and expects to be throwing four or five innings by next week. He also told Smith that he's no longer in any pain.
Boston Red Sox’ Brayan Bello gives positive update on return timetable;
— Christopher Smith (@SmittyOnMLB) March 18, 2025
"Our goal ... is to make it to the World Series. ... I want to make it to the All-Star Game. I want to play in the postseason. Those are all things I want to do."https://t.co/UNyPfXgAW4
Fitts and Newcomb appear to be the leaders in the race to occupy Bello's spot in the rotation. Fitts, a former Yankees pitching prospect, made his big league debut for the Red Sox last year and posted a 1.74 ERA in 20.2 innings over four starts. Newcomb, a Brockton native, has been one of the bigger surprises of Boston's spring training. He's clocked a 0.93 ERA with 10 strikeouts in 9.2 innings over four appearances. He let up seven runs in 10 innings of action with the A's last season.
Romy González goes for precautionary MRI on oblique, Red Sox level of concern is low
In opposition to their pitching situation, the Red Sox's infield depth options may have taken a hit. Chris Cotillo of MassLive reported on March 18 that Romy González got an MRI to examine the oblique tightness he felt during his Grapefruit League appearance against the Braves the day before.
Manager Alex Cora emphasized that the MRI is merely a precaution with Opening Day closing in. González doesn't think he's seriously injured, and the level of concern from the team is "low," in Cotillo's words.
González likely won't land a starting role on the Opening Day roster, but his defensive versatility and righty bat make him an ideal bench candidate. He's played every defensive position besides pitcher and catcher for the Sox and done so with a high level of success. He batted .266/.306/.417 for Boston last year and slashed .302/.362/.517 with a .879 OPS against lefties. He also clocked three pinch-hit home runs.