BOSTON — The stage is set for Henry Owens’ major league debut.
Owens will make his first big league start Tuesday against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium, according to Boston Red Sox manager John Farrell. The 23-year-old left-hander has spent the entire season to this point at Triple-A Pawtucket, where he owns a 3-8 record and a 3.16 ERA in 21 starts.
“It’s going to be probably the biggest stage that he’s going to make his debut on that the schedule has it,” Farrell said of the decision to call up Owens for Tuesday’s start in the Bronx. “But ideally having another left-hander go against that lineup in that ballpark.”
Owens last pitched Wednesday against Triple-A Norfolk. Farrell recently said Owens soon would debut for Boston. The Red Sox chose Tuesday in order to keep the rest of the major league rotation on track. Steven Wright and Eduardo Rodriguez are scheduled to pitch Wednesday and Thursday, respectively.
Owens, who is considered one of the organization’s top prospects, has gone at least six innings in each of his last nine starts with the PawSox. He ranked No. 47 on Baseball America’s Midseason Top 50 prospects list, which was released at the beginning of July.
“A lot more strikes, repeating his delivery,” Farrell said of Owens’ recent success with Pawtucket. “Coming out of spring training, there was some work needed with just commanding his body, as well as the baseball, and that’s been the case over the last four weeks or more.
“In a nutshell, it’s more quality strikes throughout the entire time he’s on the mound.”
Rodriguez arrived in Boston and immediately carved out a spot in the Red Sox’s rotation. Brian Johnson debuted and was sent back to Pawtucket, though he’ll likely return soon enough.
On Tuesday, it’ll be Owens’ chance to show what he’s all about. The bright lights of Yankee Stadium only add to the intrigue.
Thumbnail photo via Jonathan Dyer/USA TODAY Sports Images
