Red Sox Reportedly Promote Prospect Acquired In Alex Verdugo Trade For Series Finale

The Boston Red Sox all of a sudden had a hole in their starting rotation for Sunday's series finale against the Chicago White Sox.

And it looks like the Red Sox will fill the open spot by promoting a pitching prospect.

MassLive's Christopher Smith reported following Boston's 7-5 win over Chicago on Saturday that the Red Sox plan to promote Richard Fitts. Smith noted a source told him that there's a "really good chance" Fitts makes his MLB debut in a start against the lowly White Sox, who sit 79 games under .500. The Boston Herald's Gabrielle Starr confirmed the report and stated Fitts was in Boston on Saturday night.

This is just Fitts' first season in the Red Sox organization after the 6-foot-3, 230-pound right-hander was one of three pitchers Boston acquired from the New York Yankees in exchange for Alex Verdugo. Fitts is ranked as the Red Sox's No. 13 prospect by MLB Pipeline.

This opportunity came about for Fitts after it was announced that Brayan Bello, who was originally scheduled to start Sunday, would have his outing pushed to Monday. But Red Sox manager Alex Cora explained the starting rotation shuffle had more to do with giving Tanner Houck added rest.

"It was more actually to give Tanner (Houck) a blow," Cora told reporters, per Smith. "We’re going to push him back. In the last one, he hasn't recovered as well. He'll be ready for New York. I think it's the second one (Friday). But I think doing that, it's going to benefit everybody."

Fitts was solid over 23 starts (24 appearances) with Triple-A Worcester this season. He posted a 9-5 record with a 4.17 ERA and 1.28 WHIP. Opponents hit .253 off the righty while Fitts recorded 111 strikeouts in 116 2/3 innings. He had one of his best starts of the season this past Monday when he tossed six scoreless innings and allowed only two hits and no walks while striking out five.

Fitts likely will now get the chance to show if his stuff translates to the big league level. He is slated to be opposed by Chris Flexen. Chicago has lost an MLB record 20 straight games when Flexen takes the mound.

First pitch from Fitts is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. ET. NESN will have complete coverage of the game.