FORT MYERS, Fla. — Richard Fitts will begin the season as the Red Sox' fourth starter.
The 25-year-old righty will pitch the final game of Boston’s four-game opening series at Globe Life Field against the Rangers on Sunday, March 30.
Fitts has allowed four runs in 14 ⅔ innings (2.45 ERA) over five games (three starts) this spring.
The Red Sox reassigned righty Michael Fulmer to minor league camp earlier Friday. He will begin the season at Triple-A Worcester. Only two candidates — righty Quinn Priester and lefty Sean Newcomb — remain for the fifth rotation spot.
Those final two spots opened because Brayan Bello, Lucas Giolito and Kutter Crawford will begin the regular season on the IL.
Bello, who was slowed at the beginning of spring training due to shoulder soreness, is not far from returning. He expects to join the rotation during the first or second week of April. Meanwhile, manager Alex Cora said Giolito (tight left hamstring) also is expected back early in the season.
The Orioles have a left-handed heavy lineup and Newcomb is left-handed. So he might have a slight edge over Priester to pitch the fifth game of the season, which is Baltimore’s home opener March 31.
“We don’t know where they (the Orioles) are right now,” Cora said when asked about using a lefty vs. Baltimore. “I think they got a few guys banged up and guys are coming back. So is it important? Maybe for one day. But we feel comfortable because we know Brayan is trending in the right direction. Gio looks like he’ll be OK. This is not for a month, a month and a half. (It’s for) maybe two, three outings.”
Garrett Crochet will start for the Red Sox on Opening Day. Tanner Houck will start Game 2 and Walker Buehler will start the third game.
The 25-year-old righty will pitch the final game of Boston’s four-game opening series at Globe Life Field against the Rangers on Sunday, March 30.
Fitts has allowed four runs in 14 ⅔ innings (2.45 ERA) over five games (three starts) this spring.
The Red Sox reassigned righty Michael Fulmer to minor league camp earlier Friday. He will begin the season at Triple-A Worcester. Only two candidates — righty Quinn Priester and lefty Sean Newcomb — remain for the fifth rotation spot.
Those final two spots opened because Brayan Bello, Lucas Giolito and Kutter Crawford will begin the regular season on the IL.
Bello, who was slowed at the beginning of spring training due to shoulder soreness, is not far from returning. He expects to join the rotation during the first or second week of April. Meanwhile, manager Alex Cora said Giolito (tight left hamstring) also is expected back early in the season.
The Orioles have a left-handed heavy lineup and Newcomb is left-handed. So he might have a slight edge over Priester to pitch the fifth game of the season, which is Baltimore’s home opener March 31.
“We don’t know where they (the Orioles) are right now,” Cora said when asked about using a lefty vs. Baltimore. “I think they got a few guys banged up and guys are coming back. So is it important? Maybe for one day. But we feel comfortable because we know Brayan is trending in the right direction. Gio looks like he’ll be OK. This is not for a month, a month and a half. (It’s for) maybe two, three outings.”
Garrett Crochet will start for the Red Sox on Opening Day. Tanner Houck will start Game 2 and Walker Buehler will start the third game.
