With Chris Sale hitting the injured list with “left shoulder inflammation,” the Boston Red Sox are changing up their starting rotation yet again.
It appears as though right-hander Kutter Crawford will get the opportunity to start in Sale’s absence. He began the year in the rotation but then went to Triple-A and was eventually put back in the bullpen.
Tyler Milliken of 98.5 The Sports Hub in Boston has more on Twitter:
Alex Cora indicated that Kutter Crawford will stick in the rotation, per @BGlobeSports.
He’s earned the opportunity and this is a move that makes you better now and moving forward.
Full youth movement in the rotation with Whitlock, Bello, and Houck.
Alex Cora indicated that Kutter Crawford will stick in the rotation, per @BGlobeSports.
He’s earned the opportunity and this is a move that makes you better now and moving forward.
Full youth movement in the rotation with Whitlock, Bello, and Houck.
pic.twitter.com/Mw5ZpQhrfp— Tyler Milliken ⚾️ (@tylermilliken_) June 4, 2023
Milliken is right about the Red Sox youth movement. With Brayan Bello, Tanner Houck and Garrett Whitlock in the rotation, the Red Sox are going with a full-boat of players who have never started a full season.
Crawford’s addition to the rotation is mildly surprising as Alex Cora chose him over more established veterans like Corey Kluber and Nick Pivetta, who are in the bullpen.
Crawford started Game 2 of the Red Sox doubleheader against the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday, going 3.0 innings and allowing one run. It’s likely he went just three innings because he had recently pitched in relief.
For his career, he’s 4-9 with a 5.18 ERA. He’s 1-2 this season with a 3.48.
At the time of this posting, the Red Sox are trailing the Rays, 4-2 in the top of the sixth inning.
The Red Sox and Rays will finish out their series on Monday afternoon at 4:05 p.m. ET.
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