Red Sox’s Minor Leaguer Scratched From Start Amid Rotation Uncertainty

The Boston Red Sox have yet to announce who will replace Walker Buehler in the starting rotation. A minor league development could be linked to the answer.

Chris Murphy will start for Triple-A Worcester on Sunday afternoon. WEEI’s Joe Weil noted that Kyle Harrison was initially scheduled to take the mound for the WooSox.

As of this writing, the Red Sox have yet to name a starting pitcher for Monday’s game against the Baltimore Orioles. It’s unclear if scratching Harrison has any connection to a call-up.

The Red Sox acquired Harrison from the San Francisco Giants as part of a four-player package for star slugger Rafael Devers. The 24-year-old southpaw has registered a 3.69 ERA in 10 starts with the WooSox since the blockbuster.

Once considered a top prospect, Harrison delivered a modest 4.48 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 182 2/3 career major league innings for the Giants. The 6-foot-2 hurler had allowed three combined hits in consecutive scoreless outings for the WooSox before relinquishing seven hits and three runs on Tuesday.

Harrison has struggled to harness the strike zone, issuing 25 walks in 46 1/3 innings with his new organization. MLB.com’s Ian Browne shared a not-so-flattering assessment from Red Sox manager Alex Cora when speculating that Richard Fitts is more likely to make Monday’s start.

“Hit or miss, to be honest with you,” Cora said of Harrison. “Not efficient, but good stuff. He’s part of the equation, so we’ll decide what we’re gonna do later on.”

Boston pulled Buehler from the starting staff with a 5.40 ERA through 22 turns. The former Los Angeles Dodgers ace moves to the bullpen, creating a vacancy in the Red Sox rotation behind Garrett Crochet, Brayan Bello, Lucas Giolito and Dustin May.

Some fans may like to see top prospect Payton Tolle take the spot, but the 22-year-old isn’t an option for Monday’s game after working five stellar innings of one-hit ball on Friday.

The Red Sox at least maintained the option to call up Harrsion by sidelining him on Sunday.