Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora revealed his team’s pitching plans to begin spring training.
The Red Sox will begin playing games on Saturday, and he announced Payton Tolle will start the first game against an MLB opponent on the road against the Minnesota Twins. Brayan Bello will start the first home spring training game for Boston on Sunday against the Toronto Blue Jays.
As for Garrett Crochet, he will make his first spring training start on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Rays. Cora revealed the pitching plans for Boston are as follows:
- Saturday at Twins: Payton Toll
- Sunday vs. Blue Jays: Brayan Bello
- Monday at Rays: Connelly Early
- Tuesday vs. Pirates: Ranger Suárez
- Wednesday at Twins: Johan Oviedo
- Thursday vs. Rays: Garrett Crochet
Cora revealed relievers Tyler Samaniego, Garrett Whitlock, and Ryan Watson will pitch after Tolle in the Red Sox’s Grapefruit League opener on Saturday.
Boston’s first exhibition game will be on Friday when the Red Sox take on Northeastern University. Tyler Uberstine, the team’s 29th-ranked prospect in 2025, is set to start on Friday.
Red Sox fans will get their first look at Crochet this spring training on Thursday at home against the Rays. However, Cora didn’t reveal when Sonny Gray will make his spring debut.
Boston opens its 2026 MLB season on the road on March 26 against the Cincinnati Reds.
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