STARTING PITCHERS (5):
At least to start the season, those five will make up the Red Sox’ starting rotation led by the reigning All-Star Eovaldi. Chris Sale, who suffered a rib cage stress fracture in the spring, and James Paxton, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, will both start the year on the injured list. It’s unclear when Sale will be back, though it shouldn’t be too long, while Paxton is expected back some time after the All-Star break.
Cora has not yet made an official decision on who his No. 5 starter will be, with Hill and Garrett Whitlock as the candidates. Both have started games in the spring. But the thought here is that the 42-year-old Hill’s experience earns him the last spot in the rotation, with Whitlock better
valued for the bullpen right now.
Two significant bullpen pieces – Josh Taylor (back) and Hansel Robles (visa issues) – are unlikely to be ready for Opening Day, which makes this group even more interesting entering the season. Roles aren’t clearly defined right now in the bullpen, most notably at closer. Barnes – who became an All-Star as the closer last year before losing it down the stretch – is certainly a candidate. Would Cora go with Whitlock for the ninth? Anything is possible.
Newcomers Diekman and Strahm will likely see significant roles, and Hernandez and Valdez are stretched out to pitch in multi-inning spots. Brasier and Sawamura haven’t been great this spring, but both should make the team, while Davis is out of options. The only certainty is that this bullpen and its roles will be fluid all season.