Alex Cora Confident In Red Sox Organizational Pitching Depth

When the Boston Red Sox removed struggling pitcher Walker Buehler from the starting rotation last week, the promotion of Richard Fitts seemed to answer the question of who would fill the right-hander’s spot moving forward.

While there was no formal announcement that Fitts would be joining the starting rotation, any plans to do so were abruptly dashed on Tuesday when the Red Sox placed the rookie on the 15-day injured list with right arm neuritis.

Before Tuesday’s game against the Baltimore Orioles, Red Sox manager Alex Cora was asked by reporters if his team had enough pitching depth following Fitts’ injury and Buehler’s demotion to the bullpen.

“We’ve got options,” said Cora. “We’ve still got options down there (in Triple-A). Obviously, you know, less than (we had) a week ago, but we feel good where we’re at.”

With open spots in the rotation and bullpen, Cora was asked if top pitching prospect Payton Tolle would be a candidate for a promotion following his recent success across four starts with Triple-A Worcester.

“We haven’t talked about that,” said Cora. “But there are guys available down there that I think, you know, they can do a job here at the big league level.”

With rosters expanding to 26 players August 31, it’s possible Tolle could join the team this weekend. The hard-throwing lefty has a record of 1-1 with a 3.60 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 15 innings since being promoted to Worcester on August 6.

He last pitched on August 22, earning a no-decision while allowing one hit and one earned run and striking out nine in five innings of work. His fastball reportedly topped out at 98 mph and averaged 96.5 mph on the radar gun.