Henry Owens’ first major league stint will be more than just a one-start audition.
Owens, who pitched well Tuesday night in his big league debut, will remain in the Boston Red Sox’s starting rotation, manager John Farrell told reporters after a 13-3 loss to the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. It’s an unsurprising move given the state of Boston’s pitching staff.
The Red Sox’s rotation currently is without Clay Buchholz and Rick Porcello — both on the disabled list — and Brian Johnson landed on the minor league DL on Monday after suffering an elbow injury in his last start Sunday for Triple-A Pawtucket.
Owens suffered the loss Tuesday, but the final score was not indicative of his performance. The 23-year-old exited with a 2-1 lead in the sixth inning before Robbie Ross Jr. allowed both runners he inherited from Owens to score, kicking off a major implosion by Boston’s bullpen. New York scored nine runs in the seventh inning en route to a blowout victory in the Bronx.
Owens was charged with three earned runs on five hits over five-plus innings. The left-hander struck out five, walked only one and threw 96 pitches (59 strikes). He retired 12 consecutive batters at one point after throwing 34 pitches in a lengthy first inning.
The Red Sox have high hopes for Owens, who is one of the organization’s top prospects. He showed flashes of his potential Tuesday and has a chance to turn his first call-up into something bigger.
Thumbnail photo via Andy Marlin/USA TODAY Sports Images
