The Boston Red Sox continue to juggle starting pitchers. Richard Fitts is the latest starter headed to the injured list after exiting his start against the Chicago White Sox early with a right pectoral strain.
The Red Sox have placed Fitts on the 15-day IL and recalled Michael Fulmer, according to Chris Cotillo of Mass Live.
It’s a tough blow not only for Boston, but for Fitts, who was enjoying a nice start to 2025. Through three starts, the 25-year-old had a 3.18 ERA, a 3.87 FIP, and 13 strikeouts to five walks over 17 innings.
Fitts was brought in to replace other injured starting pitchers like Brayan Bello, Lucas Giolito, and Kutter Crawford, and this news could derail what appeared to be a breakout campaign. Fitts was great in his four starts in 2024, too, recording a 1.74 ERA and 3.31 FIP.
Now, with Bello and Giolito making rehab starts, Fitts will likely be on the outside looking in once healthy.
Fulmer signed with the Red Sox on a minor league deal this offseason and is probably better-suited for bullpen work but could potentially serve as an opener this week. The 2016 American League Rookie of the Year has not had quite the career some may have expected after the debut campaign, but he is still an effective righty.
Fulmer has spent time with the Detroit Tigers, Minnesota Twins, and Chicago Cubs, and has a career 3.94 ERA and 4.00 FIP over 674 innings. He also underwent Tommy John surgery in March of 2019 and missed all of 2024 with a UCL revision surgery.
Boston has been unfortunate with injuries, and while this league requires a next-man-up mentality, it could not have foreseen these burdens so early into the season.
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