The Red Sox list Fitts as their probable starting pitcher for Wednesday's game against the Angels in Anaheim.
As expected, Fitts will slide right into the rotation spot vacated by Hunter Dobbins (elbow), who was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday. Fitts owns a 4.71 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 15:7 K:BB in 21 innings over five starts with the Red Sox this season, though a good chunk of that ratio damage came in a June 2 matchup against the Angels in which he surrendered three home runs in just one inning. After being optioned to Triple-A Worcester following that start, Fitts posted a 5.25 ERA and 1.42 WHIP in 12 innings before being recalled Sunday.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Richard Fitts: Moves up from Triple-A
Rotowire
The Red Sox recalled Fitts from Triple-A Worcester on Sunday.
Fitts last pitched for Worcester on Tuesday and could be available out of the bullpen for Sunday's series finale in San Francisco if needed, but the Red Sox will most likely stay away from him so that he can join the rotation for the team's upcoming three-game series in Anaheim that begins Monday. He'll be a logical replacement in the rotation for Hunter Dobbins (elbow), who was placed on the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move. Fitts was sent to Triple-A after the Angels roughed him up for six runs (five earned) in one inning June 2 in his second outing back from a stint on the injured list due to a pectoral strain, but the right-hander was solid his last time out for Worcester, striking out three batters and allowing two hits and no walks over five scoreless innings.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Richard Fitts: Staying in rotation
Rotowire
Fitts will start Monday's game against the Angels in Boston.
With the Red Sox moving Hunter Dobbins to the bullpen last week, Fitts appears poised to hold down a spot in the rotation, at least until Boston gets Kutter Crawford (knee) and/or Tanner Houck (elbow) back from the injured list. After missing nearly six weeks due to a pectoral strain, Fitts returned from the IL last Tuesday. He started in the Red Sox's loss to the Brewers that day, but because he didn't get fully stretched out on his rehab assignment prior to being activated, Fitts was lifted after tossing three innings and 44 pitches. Manager Alex Cora said that Fitts will be available for 75 to 80 pitches Monday in the first of a projected two starts this week, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.. The right-hander lines up for a second start this weekend against the Yankees on the road.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Richard Fitts: Activated, starting in Milwaukee
Rotowire
The Red Sox reinstated Fitts (pectoral) from the 15-day injured list, and he will start Tuesday's game against the Brewers.
The right-hander was originally expected to make his second minor-league rehab start Tuesday, but he'll instead re-enter Boston's rotation after a six-week absence due to a pectoral strain. Fitts threw 38 pitches across three innings during his lone rehab appearance, so he'll likely have some workload limitations in his first couple outings back in the majors. He made three starts prior to the injury and had a 3.18 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 13:5 K:BB over 17 innings.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Richard Fitts: Set for second rehab start
Rotowire
Fitts (pectoral) is expected to make his next rehab start for Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.
Fitts made his first rehab start Thursday with Double-A Portland, throwing 38 pitches and completing three scoreless innings while allowing four hits with zero walks and two strikeouts. After a doubleheader this past weekend, the Red Sox don't have an existing starter on regular rest for Tuesday's game in Milwaukee, and the possibility exists that Fitts could return from the injured list to pitch in that game rather than reporting to Worcester. If so, that would likely be an abbreviated start, given Fitts' limited pitch count in his most recent outing with Portland.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Richard Fitts: Rehab start could come next week
Rotowire
Fitts (pectoral) is away from the Red Sox due to a personal matter but could begin a rehab assignment late next week, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.
Fitts went on the 15-day injured list in early April with a right pectoral strain. Given the long layoff, he will likely require at least a couple rehab starts, and the hurler is a good bet to be optioned to Triple-A Worcester once his rehab is finished.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Richard Fitts: Expected to face hitters soon
Rotowire
Fitts (pectoral) has been throwing up-and-down bullpen sessions and is expected to be cleared to face hitter soon, MLB.com reports.
Fitts is a month removed from landing on the 15-day injured list with a right pectoral strain and has progressed well lately. The right-hander will require a rehab assignment before being activated and might be optioned to Triple-A Worcester rather than rejoining the Red Sox.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Richard Fitts: Resumes mound work
Rotowire
Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Wednesday that Fitts (pectoral) will throw another bullpen session Thursday, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.
Fitts will throw off a mound for a second time since he landed on the 15-day injured list in mid-April with a right pectoral strain. He will eventually need to make a rehab start or two before being activated, at which point he will likely be optioned to Triple-A Worcester, as the Red Sox aren't expected to have a rotation spot available for him.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Richard Fitts: Playing catch
Rotowire
Fitts (pectoral) played catch Sunday, MLB.com reports.
Fitts sustained a pectoral strain during a start against the White Sox on April 12. He had opened the season as part of the rotation due to injuries to projected starters. Brayan Bello returned from injury and pitched Tuesday, and Lucas Giolito (hamstring) is expected back May 1. That suggests Fitts will head back to the minors after his recovery.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Richard Fitts: Lands on IL with pec strain
Rotowire
The Red Sox placed Fitts on the 15-day injured list Sunday due to a right pectoral strain, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
Fitts was removed from Saturday's 3-2 loss to the White Sox in the sixth inning when he experienced pain in his shoulder. The Red Sox haven't provided a timeline for his return, but given the nature of his injury, Fitts will likely need more than the minimum 15 days. Boston selected the contract of right-hander Michael Fulmer from Triple-A Worcester to provide some bullpen depth in the short term, but long reliever Josh Winckowski or Triple-A starters Cooper Criswell or Hunter Dobbins would appear to be the most likely candidates to fill Fitts' spot in the rotation.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Richard Fitts: Exits with injury
Rotowire
Fitts was removed from Saturday's game against the White Sox due to right shoulder pain, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
Fitts had been cruising through his start Saturday, giving up just two hits and a walk while striking out five batters across five shutout frames. He came back out to start the sixth inning but only threw a couple of pitches before grabbing at his underarm/shoulder area. Fitts will return to Boston on Sunday to undergo an MRI on his shoulder to determine the severity of the injury, per Cotillo.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Richard Fitts: Pushed back to Monday
Rotowire
Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that Fitts will make his next start Monday against the Blue Jays in Boston, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.
Fitts had been in line to make his second start of the season Saturday against the Cardinals, but that game was postponed due to inclement weather. With the Red Sox and Cardinals making up the game in a doubleheader Sunday, both teams are allotted a 27th man. The Red Sox will take advantage of the extra roster spot and have Triple-A Worcester call-up Hunter Dobbins start the second game of the twin bill while giving Fitts some extra rest. Dobbins is likely to be sent back to the minors immediately after the doubleheader while Boston returns to a five-man rotation to begin the upcoming week.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Richard Fitts: Boston-St. Louis postponed Saturday
Rotowire
Fitts and the Red Sox won't play the Cardinals as scheduled Saturday, as the game was postponed due to inclement weather, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.
Saturday's game will be made up in a doubleheader Sunday, and it's likely that Fitts will take the mound in one of those two contests. The 25-year-old righty gave up three earned runs in six innings during his first start of the season March 30 in Texas, and he remains in pursuit of his first career win.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Richard Fitts: Fades late against Texas
Rotowire
Fitts (0-1) allowed three runs on six hits over six innings Sunday, striking out four and taking a loss against the Rangers.
Fitts looked impressive through five innings of one-run ball. He coughed up three straight singles in the second inning but went on to retire 12 consecutive batters. However, he gave up solo homers to Wyatt Langford and Adolis Garcia in the sixth, his third time through the order. Fitts was efficient with just 71 pitches (53 strikes) but still took the loss during his quality start. He's projected for a home matchup against the Cardinals this weekend. Beyond that, Fitts' role is unclear with both Brayan Bello (shoulder) and Lucas Giolito (hamstring) expected to begin rehab assignments this week.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Richard Fitts: Stuck with first big-league loss
Rotowire
Fitts (0-1) took the loss Wednesday, giving up four runs on six hits and two walks over five innings as the Red Sox were downed 6-1 by the Blue Jays. He struck out two.
The rookie right-hander came into the game having not allowed an earned run in his first three big-league starts, but after three more shutout frames, Fitts ran into trouble in the fourth when Vladimir Guerrero and Alejandro Kirk led off the inning with back-to-back doubles. Fitts wraps up his first taste of the majors with a 1.74 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 9:7 K:BB through 20.2 innings, and depending on the moves the Red Sox make this winter, the 24-year-old could head into next spring with a chance to win a regular spot in the rotation.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Richard Fitts: Turns in scoreless appearance
Rotowire
Fitts allowed five hits and a walk over five shutout innings in a no-decision Friday. He struck out three during the extra-innings loss to Minnesota.
Fitts worked around a few tight spots to keep the Twins off the board and was in line for the win when he exited the game. The 24-year-old rookie has delivered 15.2 scoreless innings in his first three career MLB starts. However, that comes with a lackluster 7:5 K:BB. On the bright side, he generated eight whiffs Friday after totaling just seven in his first two starts. Fitts is currently lined up for a start in Toronto next week.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Richard Fitts: Expected to make major-league debut
Rotowire
Fitts is expected to be promoted from Triple-A Worcester to start Sunday against the White Sox, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.
Brayan Bello was slated to start Sunday, but he has been pushed to Monday against the Orioles as the Red Sox look to build in additional rest for Tanner Houck, per Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald. Manager Alex Cora noted after Saturday's 7-5 win over the White Sox that a minor-league call-up was a possibility for Sunday's contest, and Fitts appears on track to fill the open starting spot in what will be his major-league debut. Fitts has a 9-5 record across 23 starts in Triple-A this season with a 4.17 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and an 8.6 K/9 across 116.2 innings.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Richard Fitts: Opening at Triple-A level
Rotowire
Fitts is slated to open the 2024 season as a member of Triple-A Worcester's rotation, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.
Before heading to Worcester, Fitts will join the Red Sox in Arlington to make a start in Boston's final exhibition Tuesday versus the Rangers. Fitts will be making the jump to the Triple-A level for the first time after he compiled a 3.48 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 163:43 K:BB in 152.2 innings with Double-A Somerset in the Yankees organization a season ago before he was dealt to Boston in December.
... See More... See Less
Yankees' Richard Fitts: Stacking innings at Double-A
Rotowire
Fitts has a 3.51 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 147 strikeouts in 141 innings across 25 starts for Double-A Somerset.
Fitts ranks third in all the minors in innings pitched this season while ranking 12th in strikeouts. The 23-year-old righty lacks the upside of org. mates Drew Thorpe and Chase Hampton, but he should be a rotation option for the Yankees as early as next summer. Fitts' top two pitches are a mid-90s high-spin four-seamer and a plus slider.
