A slow start to the Boston Red Sox's 2026 season has been highlighted by rough debuts by this offseason's additions. The Sox have started a measly 1-3, winning on Opening Day behind a strong start from Garrett Crochet, and then lost three straight.
Games two and four of the season saw starts and outings from the Red Sox's major pitching acquisitions: Sonny Gray, Ranger Suárez, and Johan Oviedo. Gray only made it through four innings in his start, Suárez four and a third, and Oviedo allowed four runs out of the 'pen. The three have a combined 7.62 ERA to start the season.
Boston overhauled their starting rotation during the offseason. Six pitchers made 10+ starts for the 2025 Sox — Brayan Bello and Crochet are the only two that remain in the organization. The pitching overhaul, paired with the defense-first additions, was an attempt to raise the team's floor headed into 2026. So far, it hasn't gone well.
Ex-Red Sox players are thriving to start 2026
Red Sox Nation's ire has only been compounded by great starts to the season by players sent out in trades at last year's deadline or during the offseason. James Tibbs III, who was acquired in the Rafael Devers deal and subsequently traded for Dustin May, has been mashing for the Dodgers Triple-A affiliate. David Hamilton has had a solid start to his Brewers tenure. Alex Bregman, who left in free agency, has started hot for the the Cubs. Finally, Kyle Harrison shoved in his first Brewers outing.
Kyle Harrison in his Brewers' debut:
— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) March 31, 2026
5 IP
4 H
1 ER
1 BB
8 K
It's the first time he's struck out 8 batters in a game since 2024 and just the 4th time in his career! pic.twitter.com/zshtdsHvas
Making his first start of the season on the same day Suárez and Oviedo debuted for Boston, Harrison threw five innings of one-run ball, striking out eight and walking just one. Harrison was supposed to be the gem of the Devers' deal for Boston. A former top 20 prospect, the lefty was presented to Red Sox fans as a future frontline starter, only to be kept in Triple-A far longer than he should have been. He was called up, made a couple of solid starts towards the end of the season, but seemed buried on the depth chart.
Eventually, Harrison the Red Sox traded him to Milwaukee in the deal that brought Caleb Durbin to Boston. Durbin's start to the season has only made this harder. The Sox's new third baseman is hitless in his first 14 at-bats and has just one walk.
It's obviously very early in the season. The Red Sox started 1-4 last season, too, and made the playoffs. It's been a rough watch to see all of the players brought in over the offseason struggle to start while the players Boston passed up have excelled. It's not even April, though, so there is plenty of time for them to turn it around.