Red Sox's Elite Rotation Faces Existential Innings Crisis in the Second Half

There's absolutely no denying that when it comes to the Boston Red Sox, starting pitching kept the team afloat during the tough stretches of the season and has also carried them through their strong stretches. Riding a nine-game winning streak into the All-Star Break, the team got strong pitching performances from their rotation throughout the season, but especially in late June through mid-July.

Despite an injury to ace Garrett Crochet that has kept him out of action since April 25 and limited him to just six starts, as well as a rather lackluster season from Brayan Bello, the rotation hasn’t skipped a beat. Led by a group of left-handers comprised of Ranger Suárez, Connelly Early, Payton Tolle and Jake Bennett, not to mention surprise ace Sonny Gray, the pitching staff kept the team just half a game out of the playoff spot while also submitting the eighth-best rotation ERA in all of baseball during the first half.

However, as the team returns from the break, they may be forced to get creative with the rotation during the second half of the season. Crochet has yet to make any substantial progress in his return from the injured list and he has since been joined there by Early and Suárez, as both landed on the IL shortly before the break. The team’s depth might also be at its limit, as Patrick Sandoval made his Red Sox debut starting on July 9. The team was also forced to throw a bullpen game on July 11, recalling Eduardo Rivera (who gave them 3 2/3 innings of one-hit baseball) to cover the outing.

While Bennett and Tolle have been very good and have become reliable starting options for Boston, there should be concern as both pitchers are on pace to quickly surpass their career highs for innings pitched. Bennett, who is in his first full season since undergoing Tommy John surgery after 2023, has already thrown a combined 87 innings between Triple-A and the majors. In 2025, he threw a combined 95 1/3 innings between his time in Washington’s minor leagues and in the Arizona Fall League. Add to it that his career high was 117 innings while with Oklahoma back in 2022, and the Red Sox may choose to play it safe down the stretch with the exciting rookie.

Tolle is in a similar situation, as his career high (set in 2025) was 108 innings between his time in the minors and majors. So far in 2026, he has thrown 99 innings, and the team showed concern in his latest start before the break by having him on a pitch count. In that outing against the New York Mets, he was limited to just 66 pitches while going just 3 2/3 innings.

Even Connelly Early was getting close to passing his career high in innings prior to his injury. His previous career high was 119 2/3 innings set in 2025; in 17 starts this year he was already at 91 2/3 innings before elbow inflammation shelved him.

Unfortunately, the team doesn’t have many options to choose from to provide innings should they choose to rest the young pitchers. Kutter Crawford, who was expected to provide depth and quality innings this year, has yet to pitch since his lone rehab start back on April 11. It seems he’ll be unlikely to provide any assistance to the team for the second straight season.

Likewise, offseason trade acquisition Johan Oviedo is in no better shape, having been on the injured list since April 3 and yet to begin a rehab assignment. While he avoided surgery for a right flexor strain, he’s been taking part in a throwing program that he started in mid-June. There is no timetable for his return either.

Even Suárez isn’t safe from the injury bug, as he landed on the IL with a left adductor strain though the hope is that he would only miss one start. And yet, there’s been no discussion of when he will return to the rotation.

With that, the remaining 40-man pitchers available in Worcester are either injured or have been shortened to be ready for bullpen roles. Zack Kelly, who has provided key innings out of the bullpen, is on the IL and rehabbing in Fort Myers, while left-handed reliever Joe La Sorsa is dealing with a concussion. The healthy options include left-handed pitchers Alec Gamboa and Tyler Samaniego, though the latter is purely a relief pitcher. The former, who began the year as a starter, has now exclusively pitched out of the bullpen due to the organization needing him to be ready for any potential call-up.

The biggest issue with that strategy was doing the same with Tyler Uberstine. Uberstine, who has been a starter for most of his professional career, made his major-league debut out of the bullpen before returning to Worcester and spending a good portion of the season on the injured list. Upon his return, the organization had him pitch from the bullpen, serving a multitude of roles from one inning, two innings and even bulk outings.

The recent designation for assignment of Jack Anderson by the Red Sox was also done at the worst time; in need of a 40-man spot for Sandoval’s return, the organization DFA’d Anderson. The right-hander had previously given them eight good innings out of the bullpen early in the season and while he was having an inconsistent campaign in Worcester, he was an option to provide innings. Instead, he was claimed by the Minnesota Twins.

At this point, the likes of John Holobetz, Blake Wehunt or even Anthony Eyanson could be added to the 40-man roster to provide some innings. While it would be a jump to go straight from Double-A to the majors, those three might be able to give Boston a start or two each, which could be key down the stretch. Last season, the team did turn to Tolle and Early after just a short stint in Triple-A to provide them key innings in a playoff race. It wouldn’t be out of the question to see it happen again.

Still, Breslow should look to the trade market first and foremost if he feels the team is serious about competing for a playoff spot this season. There should be a few depth pitchers available in a trade, and so long as he doesn’t overpay for one like he did for Dustin May, the arm (or arms) he brings in should help lighten the load for the young pitchers.