The Boston Red Sox rotation picture is finally coming into focus after a stretch of uncertainty, and there's plenty to watch for fans and fantasy baseball enthusiasts alike.
Veteran right-hander Sonny Gray is on track to return from the 15-day injured list and start Wednesday's series finale against the Detroit Tigers, according to interim manager Chad Tracy. Gray landed on the IL after leaving his Marathon Monday start with hamstring tightness, but he came out of a three-inning simulated game on Friday feeling strong. He'll rejoin the rotation without a rehab start, which speaks to his readiness and the team's confidence in his recovery.
"Right now, all things point toward Sonny starting," Tracy said. "We're going to talk more about it after the game, but we're heading in that direction."
Boston will need to make a corresponding roster move before Wednesday to activate Gray. The club currently carries five healthy starters—Jake Bennett, Connelly Early, Ranger Suárez, Payton Tolle, and Brayan Bello—and appears to be leaning toward a six-man rotation, at least for the short term.
The Red Sox plan to deploy rookie lefties Jake Bennett and Connelly Early, in some order, to start the upcoming home series against the Tampa Bay Rays. Bennett made his major league debut last weekend, and the team has chosen not to option him back to Triple-A—a decision that's already paying dividends. The club could flip-flop the two young southpaws so that Early pitches Thursday on regular rest while Bennett gets a full week between outings, similar to his Triple-A schedule.
As for Saturday's starter, Ranger Suárez remains a candidate despite leaving his previous start with hamstring tightness. Payton Tolle, who impressed with a strong outing Monday, is in line to take the ball Sunday against the Rays.
With Gray's return imminent and a mix of veteran savvy and youthful energy in the rotation, the Red Sox are navigating this stretch with depth and flexibility—two qualities that could prove crucial as the season heats up.
