Red Sox Announce Plan For Payton Tolle: When Will Prized Phenom Get Next Start?

Red Sox fans will have to wait an extra couple of days to watch Boston’s top pitching prospect on the mound. Manager Alex Cora said Tuesday that Payton Tolle’s next start will come Friday against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Tolle made his MLB debut last Friday and had been lined up to pitch Wednesday on regular rest. But Cora wants to give the prized phenom a little extra time to recover from his first big-league start.

The 22-year-old, who started the season in Single-A, has pitched 97 innings this season, which is his first as a pro.

“I think the innings are where they should be,” said Cora, according to MLB.com’s Ian Browne. “Just, he hasn’t pitched in a regular rotation, so we have to take care of him.”

Browne reported Tolle threw a bullpen session Tuesday at Fenway Park before the Red Sox’s 11-7 win over the Cleveland Guardians.

Tolle impressed in his MLB debut, going head-to-head with Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes and holding his own in the heavyweight bout. Tolle struck out eight batters in five and one-third innings pitched. He threw 84 pitches, 53 for strikes, but ended up with a no-decision in the 4-2 loss.

After the poise he displayed on the mound, the Red Sox are feeling good about Tolle as a contributor down the stretch.

“Just let him be,” said Cora, per Browne. “I think there’s a reason he’s here. I think PD [player development] did an amazing job throughout the season. The pitching group, they’re aware of what he needs to do to keep getting better, and we’re going to keep helping him out.

“Friday was outstanding. If he can do that the rest of the month, we’re in a really good place,” Cora added.

With an off-day Thursday and Tolle lined up for Friday, that means Lucas Giolito and Brayan Bello are set to pitch on six days rest this weekend in Phoenix.

As for Wednesday, the Red Sox are looking at a bullpen game. Masslive.com’s Christopher Smith reports Brennan Bernardino will be the opener as Boston goes for a three-game sweep of the Guardians.