Yesterday morning, we wondered whether Connelly Early or Johan Oviedo would nab the final spot in the Red Sox rotation. Come nightfall we learned that it would be… both of them? In a surprise move as they finalized the roster, the Sox decided that both Early and Oviedo would head to Cincinnati to help protect the rotation in the early going, especially in light of the fact Ranger Suárez has thrown only 9.1 innings between the World Baseball Classic and Grapefruit League. The Sox still haven’t explained whether they’ll go to a six-man rotation or stick someone in the bullpen as a long man, though. (Chris Cotillo, MassLive)
UPDATE, 10:08 AM: It’s Early in the rotation with Oviedo as a piggyback option:
Early won’t be the only young hot shot lining up on a big league diamond come Opening Day. He’s one of a number of top-100 prospects who have cracked their team’s rosters. (Brendan Samson, Kenny Van Doren, MLB.com)
Carrying an extra starter obviously means that the Sox will carry one fewer reliever. It’s Zack Kelly who draws the short end of the roster stick and will head to Worcester, along with newcomer Tommy Kahnle, who is still getting back up to big league speed. (Christopher Smith, MassLive)
Unfortunately, there are also some injury issues complicating the bullpen, as the team is now monitoring Danny Coloumbe’s non-throwing wrist:
While the back of the rotation remains unsettled, the front end is as solid as can be thanks to Garrett Crochet. He’s so good that even Pedro Martinez sees some parallels between Crochet’s career and his own. (Alex Speier, Boston Globe)
Having already established himself as one of the best pitchers in the league, Crochet doesn’t need much veteran leadership to push himself to the next level. But that’s not necessarily the case with Marcelo Mayer, who has been held to account by the Sox coaching staff and vets like Trevor Story all spring. (Alex Speier, Boston Globe)
Roman Anthony hasn’t gotten the same tough love treatment that Mayer seems to be getting. But maybe that’s because prominent national writers are already predicting him to win the 2026 American League MVP. (Eno Sarris, The Athletic)
