BOSTON — After Richard Fitts’ brutal one-inning start in Monday’s loss to the Angels, the Red Sox are re-installing another rookie into their starting rotation.
Hunter Dobbins, who allowed one run in five innings of mop-up duty behind Fitts in the series opener, will take Fitts’ spot in the starting five beginning Sunday night in New York. Fitts was optioned to Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday, marking his first (non-rehab) minor league stint of 2025. In Worcester, he’ll be able to fully complete his innings buildup after missing 40 games (from April 13 to May 27) with a right pectoral strain.
“With what happened yesterday, we were in the middle of extending him,” Cora said. “To do it at this level after yesterday, it was gonna be hard. Hunter will be in the rotation.”
After rehabbing, Fitts threw just 38 pitches in a lone rehab outing at Double-A Portland before being promoted — out of necessity, more than anything — to the majors for a shortened start in Milwaukee last Tuesday when the Red Sox needed a fresh arm after multiple postponements and a doubleheader. He pitched three shutout innings in that game but only built up to 44 pitches, then pitched with an extra-day of rest Monday. On Monday, he was tagged for six runs (five earned) and three homers in a single inning, tossing 39 pitches.
Dobbins then pitched admirably despite allowing what turned out to be the game-winning homer to Jo Adell in the sixth inning. By throwing 60 pitches, Dobbins — who has made two relief appearances since his last start May 24 — should be built up enough to give the Sox some length in the Bronx.
“Hunter did an outstanding job,” Cora said. “Used his fastball pretty well. Kept them off-balance. He was really good.”
Dobbins has made nine appearances (seven starts) as a rookie this season. He’s 2-1 with a 4.06 ERA in 44 ⅓ innings and has a 4.21 ERA as a starter.
Brayan Bello and Lucas Giolito will pitch the final two games against the Angels at Fenway before a day off Thursday. Walker Buehler and Garrett Crochet are scheduled to pitch the first two games in New York before the fifth spot comes up again.
The Red Sox also called up Cooper Criswell, who has a 1.52 ERA in seven outings (six starts) with the WooSox this year and could be an option to start, and reliever Zack Kelly. Right-hander Nick Burdi was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right foot contusion. Two starters on the IL, Kutter Crawford and Tanner Houck, remain a ways way from returning to the big leagues. Crawford (right patellar tendinopathy) is dealing with a sore weist that will delay his first rehab start, according to Cora, and Houck (right flexor pronator strain) has not gotten to the point in his throwing program where he’s throwing off a mound.
