Red Sox Consider Kyle Harrison for Saturday Start Against Pirates
BALTIMORE — The Boston Red Sox are exploring options for their starting pitcher on Saturday, following recent roster changes that have left the team in need of a replacement. Manager Alex Cora indicated that all potential candidates are under consideration, including left-handed prospect Kyle Harrison, who recently limited his pitch count during a Triple-A start with Worcester.
Harrison, acquired from the Giants in the Rafael Devers trade on June 15, pitched only three innings and threw 38 pitches on Tuesday. This not only kept him in shape for a possible big league call-up but also signaled his readiness for a debut appearance for the Red Sox. He has performed well at Worcester, boasting a 3.65 ERA over 11 starts, with a notable 2.35 ERA in August alone.
The Red Sox are particularly in need of a starter for Saturday’s matchup against the Pittsburgh Pirates after moving Walker Buehler to the bullpen and placing Richard Fitts on the injured list. While Dustin May’s turn in the rotation is scheduled for Friday, Boston has yet to confirm if he will take the mound that night. There’s a possibility of moving him to Saturday and utilizing top pitching prospects Payton Tolle or Tyler Uberstine for Friday’s game.
Tolle, a 22-year-old left-hander ranked 40th in Baseball America’s Top 100, is set to pitch for Worcester on Friday, indicating he might either start or come in as a relief option. Similarly, Uberstine, with a 3.70 ERA in 21 outings, could step in if given extra rest, but he is considered a less likely choice.
As decisions are underway, Harrison seems to be the top contender for Saturday, while the Red Sox continue to assess their pitching strategy moving forward.
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