The Boston Red Sox emphasized adding to their rotation this offseason, and now the team enters camp with a healthy competition for the final rotation spot.
Boston has four spots likely spoken for in Garrett Crochet, Ranger Suarez, Sonny Gray, and Brayan Bello. The other pitchers looking for the final rotation spot are Johan Oviedo, Payton Tolle, Connelly Early, Kutter Crawford, and Patrick Sandoval.
However, Red Sox insider Ian Browne of MLB.com believes Oviedo has the inside track to land the final rotation spot.
“Given how loaded the Red Sox are in the first four spots (Garrett Crochet, Ranger Suárez, Sonny Gray and Brayan Bello) of the rotation, there is intrigue surrounding who emerges from the sizable derby competing for the final spot," Browne wrote in an article published on Friday. …
“Towering righty Johan Oviedo, a trade acquisition from the Pirates, might be the slight front-runner to win the job. His audition starts on Wednesday against the Twins in Fort Myers. The front office likes Oviedo’s under-the-hood numbers, which served as an impetus for the December acquisition.”
The Red Sox traded for Oviedo this offseason, and as Browne notes, the team believes he can be better than he was with the Pirates last season.
Regardless, the starting pitching competition will be one to watch as the Red Sox begin spring training games.
Boston will open its 2026 MLB season on March 26 on the road against the Cincinnati Reds.
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