There is no respite for the Boston Red Sox. According to the NESN broadcast, Richard Fitts is the most recent pitcher to be sidelined. He departed Saturday’s game due to soreness in his right shoulder.
The length of Fitts’ absence is unknown, but if he is sidelined for a long time, it would be a devastating blow to a starting rotation that is already thin. With five scoreless innings pitched, two hits allowed, one walk, and five strikeouts, the 25-year-old was dominating the Chicago White Sox order.
Fitts was thriving in his new position when he was thrown into the fire, with Kutter Crawford, Brayan Bello, and Lucas Giolito all on the injured list. He was a surprising bright spot and has a 3.18 ERA during his first three games.
Regardless of Fitts’ condition, Boston is getting reinforcements as quickly as possible. Hopefully, he can recover for his next planned start.
Triple-A Worcester is starting Bello and Giolito in rehab, and Crawford might return in May. After all these comebacks, Fitts might be sent down, but if he has shown anything this season, it is that he deserves at least a long-relief role.
The four-seamer, slider, sweeper, and curveball are the mainstays of the former New York Yankees sixth-round selection’s legitimate six-pitch arsenal. He can also mix in a sinker and changeup. Although Fitts’ command is far from flawless and his stuff isn’t the most powerful, he is still an MLB pitcher and should be given more chances.
Over the following three days, Fitts’ shoulder problem will become more severe, and Boston will need to decide how to handle him after he is fully recovered.
