As pitchers and catchers report to Fort Myers, the Boston Red Sox rotation is anything but settled outside its top four. With Garrett Crochet, Ranger Suárez, and Sonny Gray all locked in as clear foundational pieces, the fifth slot in their rotation is left to be filled for 2026.
The players within this concern are Kutter Crawford, Patrick Sandoval, Johan Oviedo, Payton Tolle, and Connelly Early. With plenty of candidates for that fifth starter role, the smart money would be on one of these five doing enough to secure the job during spring training.
But who will it be?
5. Kutter Crawford
Crawford is a player who should get serious consideration for the fifth slot in the rotation after he was injured for all of 2025, after being one of the better pitchers in their rotation back in 2024. Just by that alone, he has a legitimate claim to get the spot back.
In 2024, he struck out 175 batters, leading the team in that category. But the main problem with him was that he gave up a lot of home runs, to the point of leading baseball, allowing 34 in total. That is his downside. When he's healthy, he's still a serviceable arm for that rotation. The problem is that he wasn't in 2025.
Crawford had knee issues at the start of the season, forcing him to the IL until the summer. When he was finally able to practice and was due for a rehab assignment, he suffered a wrist injury while moving stuff around in his house, effectively needing season-ending surgery.
If anyone deserves a comeback to the rotation this year, it's Crawford. But will he perform as he did two years ago? That will be the question he has to answer in spring training.
4. Patrick Sandoval
A similar story to Crawford, Sandoval never played in 2025 while recovering from elbow surgery. When healthy, he can miss bats and go deep into games. Again, though, we haven't seen a healthy Sandoval in quite some time.
However, spring training will be the true test for him, and frankly, his last probable chance to ever pitch at the MLB level again. If he's worthy of a rotation spot, Alex Cora has no shame in putting him forward for an opportunity. But, if things go sideways, the best bet is Sandoval getting placed in AAA Worcester to at least start 2026.
But if the Red Sox still need a lefty for the bullpen, he can be utilized as a long reliever if possible.
3. Johan Oviedo
Acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates this offseason for former top prospect Jhostynxon Garcia, Oviedo has a lot to prove. Again, like Crawford and Sandoval, he was recovering from injury last season. However, it wasn't for the entire 2025 campaign, but only half the season, ultimately returning to the Pirates' roster by early August.
Oviedo wasn't in his true form like he was back in 2023, where he struck out 158 batters in 177 2/3 innings, posting a 3.57 ERA, while also striking out 42 batters in 40 1/3 innings and nine starts. If he taps into his potential as he did for the most part in 2023, the 6'6" right-hander will be primed for the fifth slot.
While he isn't a lock, the Red Sox acquired him for a reason and have already stated they see him as a "top starter". So there might already be a path shoveled for him if he works out this spring.
2. Payton Tolle
As one of the more talented prospects, with the highest potential of anyone in this group, Tolle should stand out with noticeable improvements come spring training. Ranked among Boston's top prospects, mostly at #1, he climbed through High-A Greenville to make his major league debut in late-August. If that's not a sign, there isn't one in the world that says that this kid has the tools.
Flashing strikeout stuff in the minors, striking out 133 batters in just 18 starts (20 total appearances), all while maintaining a 3.44 ERA in the minors, is amazing across the board. Showing polish and command in his starts and earning a playoff nod along with it is just the icing on the cake. However, he's still developing and is still very raw.
Last year was his first year as a professional ballplayer. Think about that. He will develop, but he needs to learn how to pitch for more than six innings. Spring training may find him starting in AAA, which is for his own good. The more he develops, the better off he'll be when he gets called back up later in the year.
If not, a bullpen spot is good for him, too. That's if Sandoval, another lefty, doesn't make the bullpen spot.
1. Connelly Early
While drooling over Tolle, Early was even better. He stayed in the rotation and wasn't moved to the bullpen. In his major league debut, Early struck out 11 batters, stifling the Athletics' young and potent offense. In total, he struck out 29 batters in just 19 1/3 innings, while maintaining a 2.33 ERA.
The kid is amazing, and other teams can attest, since they wanted both him and Tolle in trade talks this offseason.
He is the most likely candidate of these arms to make the fifth slot in the rotation. However, Crawford, Sandoval, and Oviedo are fighting for that spot alongside him, creating more uncertainty than not.
Worst-case scenario, Boston will either do a six-man rotation with Early in it or have him start in AAA again. Regardless, he needs his reps.
Conclusion
With the offseason nearing its end, the Red Sox's roster is mostly set, as the team likely won't make any changes while in Florida for Spring Training.
This means it is appropriate to ask this very important question when looking at who they have now: Who will take the fifth spot in the Red Sox rotation for the 2026 season?
Time will tell on that front, but regardless of when this will be answered, there's only one thing to say:
Red Sox baseball is back!