Lightly seasoned veterans and a trio of young pitchers are shaping Boston’s rotation: Gray, Ranger Suarez, and rookies Jake Bennett, Connelly Early, and Payton Tolle. As the team awaits the return of injured ace Garrett Crochet, plus potential comebacks from another starter, the managerial staff will face several tough calls.
A notable development is the potential return of veteran Patrick Sandoval. He has been rehabbing after elbow surgery and has not pitched for Boston since signing a two-year, $18.25 million contract after the 2024 season. Sandoval’s elbow and arm issues sidelined him for much of the 2025 season, and biceps tightness delayed his start to 2026. He has been in a rehab assignment at Triple-A Worcester since early June, but MLB rules cap rehab assignments at 30 days, creating a deadline for activation around early July. Sandoval has pitched well in Worcester, and his next appearance could influence Boston’s pitching plans.
Interim manager Chad Tracy indicated there is still room for Sandoval’s development. “There’s probably room for another outing to build the count further; then we’ll have a conversation afterward,” Tracy said, signaling that the team is weighing the best path for integrating Sandoval.
Given Boston’s current rotation success and Crochet’s imminent return, decisions loom. Sandoval is out of minor-league options, which complicates roster moves. It’s unlikely the Red Sox will demote one of the rookies, so the club faces several possible options: deploy Sandoval as a long reliever, create a six-man rotation temporarily to accommodate him, or explore a trade for an expiring contract if the right opportunity presents itself. Some reports suggest teams may scout Sandoval’s final rehab start in anticipation of Boston being open to a trade, though any move would need to fit the team’s immediate pitching needs.
In addition to Crochet and Sandoval, other starters—Johan Oviedo, Kutter Crawford, and Tanner Houck—are working back from injuries, while Brayan Bello is trying to regain form at Worcester. The Red Sox will need to balance the priorities of developing young pitchers, preserving innings for veterans, and keeping the rotation operating at a high level.
As the July deadline approaches, fans and analysts will be watching to see which pitchers join the rotation, which are relegated to bullpen duty, and whether Boston pursues any midseason acquisitions. The overarching goal remains the same: sustain the current run of quality starting pitching while managing the long-term health and development of the pitching staff.
