It’s been 14 months since Patrick Sandoval signed a two-year, $18.25 million contract with the Boston Red Sox.
The 29-year-old southpaw is still waiting to make his Red Sox debut after undergoing Tommy John surgery and missing the entire 2025 season but took a big step toward his return on Friday.
“Patrick Sandoval just faced five hitters. Struck three of them out. Hit 94. Threw 15 pitches or so,” Peter Abraham of The Boston Globe posted on Bluesky. “Sandoval said today was a milestone in his return. Felt like part of a team again after rehabbing last year.”
Sandoval suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament midway through his final season with the Los Angeles Angels in 2024 before signing with Boston that December.
Story continues below advertisement
His best season came in 2022, when he went 6-9 with a 2.91 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 151 strikeouts across 148 2/3 innings pitched covering 27 starts.
After going 7-13 with a 4.11 ERA and 1.51 WHIP in a career-high 28 starts in 2023, Sandoval was limited to 16 starts in 2024 before going down with his injury.
Story continues below advertisement
“The Red Sox’ Patrick Sandoval faced batters today for the first time since Tommy John surgery,” The Boston Globe’s Tim Healey posted on Bluesky. “He is competing for the No. 5 spot in the rotation. Regarding a potential move to the bullpen, he said he’ll ‘do whatever they want me to do.'”
The front four of the Red Sox’s starting rotation appears to be set with reigning AL Cy Young runner-up Garrett Crochet scheduled to pitch Opening Day, followed likely by new acquisitions Ranger Suarez and Sonny Gray. Right-hander Brayan Bello is presumably going to be Boston’s No. 4 starter.
Story continues below advertisement
Sandoval could be competing with the likes of Johan Oviedo, Connelly Early, Payton Tolle and others for the fifth spot in the rotation.
Featured image via Nathan Ray Seebeck/Imagn Images
