The Boston Red Sox will stick with six starters for at least one more turn through their rotation.
Eduardo Rodriguez, who baffled the Texas Rangers in his major league debut Thursday, will remain in Boston’s big league rotation for the time being, manager John Farrell said before Friday’s game at Globe Life Park. The 22-year-old’s next scheduled start is Wednesday against the Minnesota Twins at Fenway Park.
Steven Wright, Wade Miley and Joe Kelly are scheduled to pitch the final three games of the Red Sox’s current series against the Rangers. Clay Buchholz, Rick Porcello, Rodriguez and Wright are scheduled to face the Twins next week. Miley, Kelly and Buchholz are lined up to face the Oakland Athletics in the following series, after which the Red Sox likely will make a decision regarding who stays in the rotation.
Rodriguez’s debut initially was expected to be a spot-start with Boston playing on 20 consecutive days. The left-hander dazzled over 7 2/3 shutout innings, though, earning him another chance to start at the major league level before the Red Sox decide whether to ship him back to Triple-A Pawtucket.
Boston’s rotation has been inconsistent this season, so it’s possible the Sox will try to ride the hot hand whenever possible. Kelly and Wright seem like candidates to be removed from the rotation if Rodriguez pitches well and either one of those two hurlers stumbles between now and Boston’s off-day June 8.
Thumbnail photo via Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports Images
