The Boston Red Sox are turning to a fresh face to steady their rotation. Left-hander Jake Bennett, acquired in a rare prospect-for-prospect trade with the Washington Nationals this past December, is set to make his major league debut Friday night as Boston opens a three-game series against the Houston Astros at Fenway Park.

Bennett's call-up comes at a critical time. The Red Sox pitching staff has been hit hard by injuries, with Garrett Crochet landing on the 15-day injured list Wednesday. He joins a growing list of sidelined arms that includes Sonny Gray, Kutter Crawford, Patrick Sandoval, and Johan Oviedo—leaving the team scrambling for depth just weeks into the season.

While Bennett didn't dazzle in spring training (posting a 9.00 ERA over three big-league innings), he showed promise in the Spring Breakout game against the Rays, tossing two shutout frames with two strikeouts. Since then, he's been nothing short of dominant at Triple-A Worcester. In his organizational debut on April 5, he allowed just one unearned run over five innings. Overall, across 21 innings, he's surrendered only two earned runs on 12 hits, boasting a sparkling 0.71 WHIP—the second-best mark in the International League (minimum 20 innings).

Bennett isn't a flamethrower. His 23.1% whiff rate ranks in the 28th percentile, and his 23.5% strikeout rate sits near league average. But he thrives on control and limiting damage. His 3.8% walk rate is the best in the International League, and he consistently keeps hitters from squaring up the ball. For a Red Sox team desperate for stability, that kind of efficiency could be exactly what the doctor ordered.

Friday's debut will be a true test. The Astros lineup is one of the most disciplined in baseball, and Fenway's cozy confines can be unforgiving for young pitchers. But if Bennett's recent performance is any indication, Boston might have found a reliable arm when they need it most.