The Red Sox pitching staff is limping towards the finish line this season, as is almost every single pitching staff in baseball in 2026. Thankfully, with a postseason spot essentially locked down (you know, bar one of the teams below the Sox doing something crazy, like winning 15 games in a row or something…) the Sox are able to shuffle things around to give their arms some extra rest. Jake Bennett is the beneficiary of that strategy this week, as he won’t take the mound until Sunday against the Giants,
9 days after his last start. “It’s more just ‘let’s get some extra rest,’” Chad Tray said. “All the numbers on [objective measures of his physical recovery] — force plate jumps, the arm strength, dynamometer test, and everything — all that’s been great. So it’s more just staying ahead of the game.” (Tim Healey, Boston Globe)
Unfortunately it’s not just the starters that are tiring down the stretch. The Red Sox bullpen, which has arguably been the best relief corps in all of baseball, may be starting to show some cracks. (Sean McAdam, MassLive)
But the bullpen could get some help from a former Red Sox All-Star who has become something of a forgotten man, as Tanner Houck has finally thrown to hitters as his rehab progresses. “We’re getting close. If you’re on a mound throwing to hitters and you’re throwing 25 pitches, that’s a good thing,” said Chad Tracy. “So, obviously, he still has boxes to check being that that’s the first time he’s thrown to hitters, and it’s been a while. But checking that box is a big one. Being out on the mound and doing that, and actually, velocity being where it was and everything, it’s a good step, a really good step.” (Ian Browne, MLB.com)
This upcoming Giants series represents a big reunion with a former Red Sox World Series champion in Rafael Devers, of course. But the other big name Red Sox who was recently sent to San Fransisco, Marcelo Mayer, probably won’t take the field, as he is still working his way back from injury. (Lauren Campbell, MassLive)
Mayer represented one half of the Red Sox middle infield on opening day. The other half, shortstop Trevor Story, has also been out with an extended injury, of course. But Story might return to the big leagues this weekend… (Chris Cotillo, MassLive)
…Though according to the author of the above piece, his return won’t come until Saturday at the earliest:
Trevor Story is still capable of providing solid if unspectacular defense at short as well as some right-handed power and good baserunning. But what he’s terrible at in this stage in his career is putting the bat on the ball. That would frustrate the hell out of the greatest hitter who ever lived, who is back in our lives thanks to some footage newly discovered by ESPN. Here’s modern-day hitting savant Joey Votto breaking down an unearthed video of Ted Williams talking hitting with teammate and friend Bobby Doerr. (Jeff Passan, ESPN)
