BOSTON — The Red Sox have gotten by for a few weeks without a fifth man in their starting rotation, but that will change Friday.
Left-hander Roenis Elias will be called up from Triple-A Pawtucket on Friday to face the Seattle Mariners as the Red Sox’s fifth starter, manager John Farrell announced before Tuesday’s game against the Baltimore Orioles. Elias’ addition to the rotation will give an extra day of rest to Rick Porcello and David Price, who will start Saturday and Sunday, respectively.
Farrell had tabbed Elias as a potential candidate to fill the hole in Boston’s rotation left by Joe Kelly’s demotion to Triple-A and Clay Buchholz’s move to the bullpen. But Farrell insisted his decision to go with the 27-year-old lefty mostly was the product of Boston’s matchup with Seattle.
“When we looked at Seattle and the matchups, we felt like a left-handed starter has proven to negate some of their left-handed power — (Robinson) Cano and (Kyle) Seager particularly,” Farrell said. “So, this is as much (about) matchup as the guys that are available to us.”
Elias, who gave up three runs over 1 2/3 innings on April 23 in his only appearance for Boston this season, has been making a pretty strong case for himself in Pawtucket. He has allowed a total of six earned runs over his last four starts and has been excellent in his last two, allowing just one run while striking out 15 in 16 innings of work.
“Roenis, the last four or five starts, has been very good — much more consistent,” Farrell added. “We felt like it’s time to take a look at him, particularly in this matchup.”
Elias’ new role isn’t set in stone, however, as Farrell said it’s “possible” the team could reevaluate the fifth starter role after his start and operate on a situational basis going forward.
Thumbnail photo via Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports Images
