Boston Red Sox right-handed pitcher Richard Fitts (pectoral) was placed on the 15-day injured list on Sunday with a right pectoral strain. In a corresponding move, the Red Sox promoted right-handed pitcher Michael Fulmer. Fitts was able to win a spot in the starting rotation during spring training due to the numerous injuries to the Boston rotation. During his first three starts of the campaign, Fitts has logged 17 innings to the tune of a 3.18 ERA with a 1.12 WHIP. Fitts was diagnosed with this injury following his start on Saturday against the Chicago White Sox. Fantasy managers should expect Fulmer to be deployed out of the bullpen. Lucas Giolito (hamstring) and Brayan Bello (shoulder) are nearing a return to the rotation and are expected to take Fitts' spot. Cooper Criswell could see starting opportunities if Bello or Giolito are not cleared to return.
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Richard Fitts (shoulder) was removed early during Saturday's game against the Chicago White Sox. This is a shame as Fitts was in the middle of an excellent performance before being forced to exit due to shoulder pain. The plan is for Fitts to return to Boston on Sunday to undergo additional imaging on his shoulder to determine the severity of the injury. Before he went down, Fitts tossed five scoreless innings, allowing two hits, and striking out five batters. The expectation is that the Red Sox will give an update on his status in the coming days.
Hunter Dobbins To Debut On Sunday, Richard Fitts Pushed To Monday
The Athletic's Jen McCaffrey reports that Boston Red Sox right-hander Hunter Dobbins will start Game 2 of the team's doubleheader on Sunday evening at Fenway Park against the visiting St. Louis Cardinals, which will be his major-league debut. Manager Alex Cora said everyone else in the starting rotation will remain on turn, with Richard Fitts going on Monday against the division-rival Toronto Blue Jays after Saturday's game against St. Louis was rained out. The 25-year-old Dobbins will most likely be sent to Triple-A Worcester after serving as the team's 27th man on Sunday. In his first start for the WooSox last Tuesday, Dobbins allowed five earned runs on three long balls while walking three and striking out two in just 3 2/3 innings of work. In his first major-league appearances, fantasy managers should stay away.
Richard Fitts The Probable Starter For Red Sox On Sunday
Boston Red Sox pitching prospect Richard Fitts is expected to make his first start of the season on Sunday against Jacob deGrom and the Texas Rangers. The 25-year-old earned the fourth spot in the rotation this spring after allowing four earned runs in 14 2/3 innings pitched (2.45 ERA) on 13 hits and six walks while striking out 14. The righty made his MLB debut last season for the Sox, pitching to a 1.74 ERA and 1.26 WHIP over 20 2/3 IP, albeit with just a 7:9 BB:K. The former sixth-round draft pick has shown solid command in the minors but has seen diminished strikeout totals at each level on his ascent to the majors, so while he may end up being a decent real-life pitcher for the Red Sox, there isn't much fantasy appeal here outside of deeper leagues.
Richard Fitts Expected To Be No. 4 Starter In Rotation
According to Ian Browne of MLB.com, Boston Red Sox pitching prospect Richard Fitts is expected to open the 2025 campaign as the No. 4 starter in the rotation. The Red Sox have numerous injuries in their rotation, which paved the way for Fitts to not only earn a starting role but to be the fourth option. Currently, Brayan Bello (shoulder), Lucas Giolito (hamstring), and Kutter Crawford (knee) are all slated to open the season on the injured list. Fitts has performed well during camp, holding a 2.45 ERA with a 1.30 WHIP across 14 2/3 innings. During this stretch, he has tallied 14 strikeouts and served up six free passes. Last summer, the 25-year-old made his MLB debut and held an impressive 1.74 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP across 20 2/3 innings of work. Fantasy managers in deeper formats should consider targeting the Auburn product late in their drafts, as he should provide stable ratios with decent strikeout upside. UPDATE: Fitts will start the fourth game of the year against the Texas Rangers, according to manager Alex Cora.
Richard Fitts A Virtual Lock For Opening Day Rotation Spot
Boston Red Sox right-hander Richard Fitts is virtually a lock to be the team's No. 4 starter to begin the 2025 season with Bryan Bello (shoulder), Kutter Crawford (knee) and Lucas Giolito (hamstring) all set to open the year on the injured list, according to MassLive's Chris Cotillo and Sean McAdam. Quinn Priester and Cooper Criswell are the primary candidates competing for the fifth and final rotation spot, although Sean Newcomb and Michael Fulmer also haven't been ruled out. Newcomb and Fulmer don't have opt-out clauses in their minor-league deals, which makes them more likely to start at Triple-A Worcester. The 25-year-old Fitts has definitely earned it by posting just a 0.84 ERA with 13 strikeouts and four walks in 10 2/3 Grapefruit League innings. Fitts didn't show much strikeout stuff in his four-start stint for Boston, but he also had a 1.74 ERA. He's worth a flier in AL-only leagues.
Richard Fitts, Quinn Priester Could Be Battling For Fifth Rotation Spot
If Boston Red Sox right-hander Brayan Bello (shoulder) starts the year on the injured list, right-handers Richard Fitts or Quinn Priester are real possibilities to open the 2025 regular season in the No. 5 starting rotation spot for Boston, according to MLB.com's Ian Browne. Bello could miss his first two turns through the rotation to begin the year, even if he avoids setbacks with his shoulder going forward. Fitts has the ability to miss bats and looked good in a small sample size (20 2/3 innings) for the BoSox last year, posting a nice 1.74 ERA, nine strikeouts and seven walks in four starts. The 25-year-old has also struck out five in four scoreless innings so far this spring. Priester, 24, was a former top prospect of the Pirates. He has so far given up one run while striking out one and walking three in two spring starts for Boston. Either Fitts or Priester would merely low-upside, short-term streaming options if they open the year in the rotation.
Boston Red Sox starting pitching prospect Richard Fitts has hit a roadblock in his progression at Double-A over the past few weeks. Since tossing seven shutout frames on May 29, the former sixth-round pick has posted a disappointing 5.48 ERA, 1.59 WHIP, and a 13:27 BB:K ratio in his past 21 innings. Fitts looked like he was on pace to reach the major leagues this summer but may have to wait until next season due to his recent slump. Overall, through 69 innings at Triple-A Worcester, the Auburn product has held a 4.26 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, and a 28:68 BB:K ratio. Fitts could still push for a late-season promotion if he breaks out of this slide but remains a name to keep an eye on for 2025.
Richard Fitts Strikes Out Seven Across Seven One-Hit Innings
Boston Red Sox starting pitching prospect Richard Fitts posted his best outing of the season on Wednesday, where he tossed seven innings of one-run ball (zero unearned runs) and allowed just one hit. He struck out seven. Through his first 48 innings at Triple-A, Fitts has looked quite solid with a 3.72 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and 15:41 BB:K ratio. Last season, he threw 152 innings at Double-A and logged a similar 3.48 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and a 43:163 BB:K ratio. This season, the 24-year-old has posted six starts with allowing just one run or less but has also given up at least five runs in two of them, which has significantly raised in ERA. MLB Pipeline projects the Auburn product to reach the majors this summer and is worth a look in dynasty leagues.
Richard Fitts
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Red Sox
