The Boston Red Sox have stumbled out of the gate in the opening weeks of the 2025 season. A big reason why has been the performance of their pitching staff. Garrett Crochet has been outstanding in his first four starts with Boston, going 2-1 with a 1.38 ERA. Richard Fitts has also been solid with a 3.18 ERA in three starts but Richard Fitts, Walker Buehler, and Sean Newcomb have allowed 41 runs in 47 innings.
The disastrous performance on the back end of the rotation makes it clear the Red Sox need help. Some of that is on the way as Brayan Bello and Lucas Giolito are on rehab assignments from their injuries. But it leaves Alex Cora with some tough decisions to make and it could make things interesting as Boston looks to rebound from an 8-10 start.
Brayan Bello, Lucas Giolito’s Return Pose Difficult Decision for Red Sox
The latest chapter in the Red Sox rotation came earlier this week when Cora discussed Bello’s rehab with reporters. While Boston’s rotation has struggled, Cora also said that Giolito will also pitch in the minors this week but the weather will be a factor in whether he actually takes the mound.
Bello threw four innings, allowing four runs (two earned) and allowed four hits with five strikeouts in his third rehab start with Triple-A Providence over the weekend and later deemed himself “100 percent healthy” according to Worcester Woo Sox team reporter Tommy Cassell. But Cora exercised caution in saying that Bello will make another rehab start as he works his way back from shoulder inflammation.
“He was okay. He was good,” Cora said via NESN’s Gayle Troiani. “So now, we’ll see how he recovers today. There’s definitely one more [start]. Definitely. We’ll see how he works out as far as the weather and where. But we feel pretty good. We feel pretty good, but it is more about him than us. If you want to be reactive, you’ve got to think about him and take care of him so he can take care of us.”
Giolito also could arrive as a reinforcement after making two rehab starts for Worcester. The right-hander is scheduled to pitch on Tuesday according to MLB.com's Ian Browne with weather pending but if all goes well, he could make his long-awaited Red Sox debut when they travel to the Cleveland Guardians for a three-game series from April 25-27.
With Liam Hendriks also working his way back from injury, the Red Sox have plenty of pitchers that will be returning to the roster soon. But it’s also a question as to which players will be sent down when that happens. Buehler and Newcomb are both out of minor league options while Houck has two remaining. While sending down a former All-Star may have bad optics, it may be necessary considering Houck leads the league with 19 earned runs allowed in his first four starts.
Regardless, the Red Sox need a boost after starting the season with an 8-10 record. While tough decisions are coming, they have to be made soon or else Boston’s season with promise could end with a disappointing finish.