Hunter Dobbins’ Season-Ending ACL Tear Ultimate Blow to Red Sox's Rotation

[Maddie Landis]

Late Saturday morning, just before the 2025 MLB All-Star break, the Red Sox placed Hunter Dobbins on the 15-day injured list for a right ACL tear. Just before his brief return, he was activated from another 15-day injured list stint dating back to June 22 due to a right elbow strain. Expect Dobbins to get transferred to the 60-day IL in short order, opening up a spot on the 40-man roster.

Dobbins sustained his injury during the second inning of the game while racing to cover first base on a Chandler Simpson groundout. He had previously torn his right ACL in high school.

Given the severity of the injury, Dobbins’ rookie season is finished. Dr. Jesse Morse (who’s a great follow for baseball-related injuries) reports that his recovery time will take between 9-12 months, so he’ll start the 2026 season on the injured list. 

As a 25-year-old rookie, the Texas native only played in 13 games, posting a 4.13 ERA across 61.0 innings. Despite his low 19th-percentile strikeout rate (17.6%), he was an effective pitcher who bolstered the team’s oft-injured rotation. Dobbins had a diversified six-pitch mix that complemented his strong command (50.7% Zone%, 104 Location+). He primarily threw his 95.5 mph fastball to set up his slider (28.9% whiff rate) and curveball (38.2% whiff rate). In mid-June, his sinker made its debut against the Yankees. Dobbins wasn’t super flashy on the mound, but he induced weak contact (48.4% ground ball rate) and limited traffic on the basepaths with his 6.6% batted-ball rate.

The Red Sox recalled Richard Fitts, who was previously optioned to Triple-A Worcester for Dobbins' short-lived return. Fitts holds a 4.28 ERA across 33.2 innings this year. Per Tim Healey of the Boston Globe, he’ll take the mound between July 21st and 22nd in Philly. Aside from Richard Fitts, Tanner Houck or Kyle Harrison could take over Dobbins’ spot in the rotation. Houck is currently on a rehab assignment in Triple-A Worcester, but looked like a pumpkin earlier in the season. Kyle Harrison is also in Worcester, tinkering with his pitch mix. 

Earlier this week on the Greg Hill Show, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow indicated the organization would focus on acquiring impact starting pitching before the trade deadline. With Hunter Dobbins' injury further exacerbating the rotation’s depth, the Red Sox will have to move one of their outfielders for a starting pitcher.

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