{"id":107418,"date":"2025-09-17T23:04:36","date_gmt":"2025-09-18T03:04:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=107418"},"modified":"2025-09-17T23:04:36","modified_gmt":"2025-09-18T03:04:36","slug":"red-sox-make-rotation-tweaks-10-games-left","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/09\/17\/red-sox-make-rotation-tweaks-10-games-left\/","title":{"rendered":"Red Sox Make Rotation Tweaks with 10 Games Left"},"content":{"rendered":"

BOSTON \u2014 Red Sox manager Alex Cora<\/a> announced Wednesday on WEEI\u2019s \u201cAfternoons\u201d radio show that Kyle Harrison<\/a> will start Saturday against the Tampa Bay Rays. He added that Harrison will stay in the Red Sox rotation for the remainder of the season. Consequently, rookie<\/a> Payton Tolle<\/a> will move his flamethrowing fastball to the bullpen. This move locks Connelly Early<\/a> as the No. 4 starter.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"The
Left-handed pitcher Connelly Early walks off the mound during the WooSox game at Polar Park on Aug. 12, 2025. Credit: \u00a9 WooSox Photo\/Ashley Green \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Rotation Turmoil Leads to Changes for Red Sox<\/b><\/h2>\n

The Red Sox reached this point through a series of setbacks. First, veteran Walker Buehler<\/a>, who signed with Boston on a one-year $21 million deal, got designated for assignment in late August after posting a 5.45 ERA over 22 starts and one appearance out of the bullpen. Then, trade deadline pickup Dustin May<\/a> landed on the 15-day injured list last week with shoulder inflammation. Additionally, Jordan Hicks<\/a> remains sidelined with a forearm strain, which will likely keep him off the mound for the remainder of the regular season, as well as the postseason. These injuries forced Boston to lean on prospects. Now, with 10 games left, Cora seeks a consistent five-man rotation and relies on six left-handed pitchers in his bullpen.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tolle\u2019s Shift to the Bullpen<\/b><\/h3>\n

Payton Tolle impressed in his MLB debut against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He tossed 5 1\/3 innings, allowing two runs while striking out eight. However, Tolle struggled in his next two starts. He posted a 6.75 ERA, with command issues leading to seven walks. Still, Cora sees upside in the bullpen where Tolle can let his stuff play in short stints. \u201cTolle can excel in short bursts,\u201d Cora said on WEEI. Chris Cotillo of MassLive<\/a> echoed this, writing that Tolle\u2019s high-90s fastball suits relief. Thus, the 22-year-old rookie provides versatility in a single or multi-inning role ahead of Garrett Whitlock<\/a> and Aroldis Chapman.<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Payton Tolle’s 2Ks in the 2nd.<\/p>\n

4Ks thru 2. pic.twitter.com\/qBfYphRSP0<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 29, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n