The Boston Red Sox have long stated their intention to trade for additional starting pitching depth at the upcoming trade deadline. Their need for rotation reinforcements just got bigger.
Earlier this season, the Red Sox expected internal pitching depth to be healthy and ready for the second half. Kutter Crawford has been on the sidelines all season with a knee issue, but a season-ending wrist surgery ended his chance to return to action this year. Boston also expected Patrick Sandoval to pitch as it approached the postseason, but there's been a hitch in his recovery.
The Angels, Sandoval's longtime former team, non-tendered him after the 2024 season when he underwent the internal brace procedure to repair his UCL. The Red Sox brought him in as a sign-and-stash, hoping he'd be an internal depth option later in the season. But, according to Chris Cotillo of MassLive, Sandoval went from throwing bullpens to just playing catch. He's now doubtful to return to action this year.
Sandoval has pitched in parts of six seasons with the Angels, and he's posted a 4.01 ERA over 536 innings in his career. He logged a 5.08 ERA with 83 strikeouts and 35 walks in 79 innings in 2024 before his surgery, but he's shown flashes of greatness in the past. Sandoval pitched to a 2.91 ERA with 161 strikeouts and 60 walks over 148.2 innings in 2022, the longest season he's ever pitched.
Patrick Sandoval doubtful to pitch for Red Sox this season as Tommy John surgery recovery stalls
Patrick Sandoval has been slower than expected and has gone from throwing bullpens to just playing catch. His return this year is doubtful.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) July 25, 2025
UCL surgery recovery can be chaotic, and it would be impossible to know where Sandoval would have fit in the rotation if healthy in the second half. Walker Buehler's bounce-back has taken longer than expected, as he underwent surgery in 2022 and still doesn't look like his former self, with a 5.72 ERA this season. Conversely, reliever Chris Murphy has recovered quite well, with a 2.70 ERA in 13.2 innings since he was reinstated in late June.
Without Sandoval returning, the Red Sox need to turn to the trade market for pitching depth even more than before. There aren't many top-of-the-rotation arms available, and the ones that are will come with plenty of competition and a high price tag. The Pirates may be willing to trade Mitch Keller, who has multiple years of control remaining on his contract, the Red Sox have been in contact with the Marlins about Sandy Alcantara, and Merrill Kelly, Zac Gallen, and Seth Lugo may be available as rentals, among others.
Sandoval signed a two-year deal with Boston before the 2025 season, so it still has control over him next year. If he can bounce back to his 2022 self, he could easily slot into the top of the Sox's rotation behind Garrett Crochet.