The Boston Red Sox have been the beneficiary of superb starting pitching in 2026.
Ranger Suarez has a 3.15 ERA and was just named to the group’s lone 2026 MLB All-Star. Sonny Gray should and probably will be joining him, but can take solace in the fact that he has a 2.61 ERA. Payton Tolle, Connelly Early, and Jake Bennett, three rookies who have exceeded any and all expectations placed upon them, are rocking respective 3.39, 3.34, and 3.10 ERAs.
If you’ve been paying attention, though, you would know
that the club’s current five-man rotation isn’t going to last much longer…
I’ve decided to take a look at each of the five men who are currently pitching their balls off for the hometown club and figure out what their next steps are — with several approaching uncharted waters, others currently dealing with injuries, and one likely to be the most coveted arm at the trade deadline.
SONNY GRAY
Gray has been absolutely phenomenal, as he is currently riding a streak of seven consecutive quality starts and hasn’t allowed more than three runs since April 14 against the Minnesota Twins.
GOOD!
Gray is also going to be the most coveted arm on the trading block.
NOT GOOD!
ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan included him at No. 11 on their list of players most likely to be moved at the trade deadline, though they admitted: “Gray’s restructured contract after his trade from St. Louis to Boston includes a $10 million buyout on a $30 million mutual option for 2027. Considering mutual options don’t get picked up, that is a pricey deadline acquisition, leaving Boston somewhat hamstrung unless it’s willing to pay down a significant portion and convince Gray to accept a deal.”
RANGER SUAREZ
Suarez is sticking around, though he might soon be spending time on the injured list, having left his start against the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday. The Red Sox have already started to prepare for his potential absence, activating Patrick Sandoval from the injured list on Monday — with the expectation that he’ll start on Thursday.
CONNELLY EARLY
Early is already on the injured list, and will get a second opinion this week will be with Dr. Keith Meister in Arlington, Texas.
JAKE BENNETT
Bennett is the most interesting case on the list, as he has been phenomenal since getting the call to the big leagues but just hit a career-high in innings pitched, as he is sitting at 80.0 across his time with Triple-A Worcester and Boston — recently surpassing the 75.1 he finished with in 2025.
Bennett is just two years removed from suffering an elbow injury that required him to undergo Tommy John surgery in mid-September 2023.
If they view him as a long-term option, they might want to make some difficult decisions.
PAYTON TOLLE
Tolle, too, is hovering around a career-high in innings pitched — with the flamethrowing left-hander sitting at 89.1 in 2025 after finishing with 91.2 in 2026.
Boston probably isn’t rushing to shut him down, but perhaps they start working in extra rest days in order to help him last the entire season.
