BOSTON — The Red Sox’s rotation will remain as is through this Sunday. After that, however, some changes could be coming.
Manager John Farrell said Tuesday that while struggling right-hander Joe Kelly will keep his starting job “for now,” the team also plans on introducing to the fold two of its brightest young arms: left-handers Brian Johnson and Henry Owens.
“We’re going to stay on turn through the weekend,” Farrell said as his team prepared to host the Chicago White Sox at Fenway Park. “Monday being the off-day, we’ve got the ability to adjust going forward. But as we’re taking a look at (recently recalled outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr.), our goal and our intent is to see Brian Johnson and probably Henry Owens at some point. So, all that is on the horizon. ”
Johnson and Owens are rated Nos. 1 and 2, respectively, among Red Sox pitching prospects and Nos. 4 and 5 among all Boston farmhands, according to MLB.com’s prospect rankings.
Johnson struggled last week in his lone major league start to date — he let up four runs on three hits and four walks in 4 1/3 innings against the Houston Astros — but has been lights-out with Triple-A Pawtucket, allowing two earned runs or fewer in 14 of his 17 starts.
Owens, who boasts a 3.25 ERA and 1.14 WHIP with the PawSox after a shaky start to the season, has yet to make his big league debut.
Kelly, who’s scheduled to make his next start Saturday against the Tampa Bay Rays, has allowed eight earned runs in 8 2/3 innings over two starts since being recalled from Triple-A last week.
Thumbnail photo via Troy Taormina/USA TODAY Sports Images
