Red Sox Pitcher's Role Unclear Upon Impending Return From Injury
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The Boston Red Sox have a decision to make as one of the team's interesting pitchers nears a return from injury.
After the 2024 season, the Red Sox signed six-year Los Angeles Angels veteran pitcher Patrick Sandoval to a two-year, $18 million contract. Unfortunately, a slew of injuries has sidelined the 29-year-old since 2024, but Sandoval began a rehab assignment in the minor leagues earlier this month.
Sandoval has made five minor league starts since starting his rehab assignment at the beginning of June. With MLB rules dictating that a player can only remain on a rehab assignment for a maximum of 30 days, the Red Sox will have to decide whether to activate Sandoval soon.
MassLive's Chris Cotillo believes that even when the Red Sox call up Sandoval, his role will be unclear, especially with how well Boston's starting rotation has been performing recently.
"More than two years since his last major league start, Patrick Sandoval is nearing the end of his long road back to the mound," Cotillo wrote on Sunday. "His impending return will lead to some interesting decisions for the Red Sox. When Sandoval does return, his fit in Boston’s rolling rotation is unclear. Sandoval is out of minor league options, so the Red Sox can’t send him to Worcester after his rehab clock is up.
"It’s unlikely Bennett -- who owns a 2.78 ERA in 22 ⅔ innings since being recalled -- is removed from the rotation to accommodate Sandoval. A more likely scenario involves the Red Sox either using Sandoval as a multi-inning long reliever or temporarily moving to a six-man rotation in the week before the All-Star break."
Sandoval has plenty of success in the big leagues and has been a starter for the majority of his career, yet it's hard to see how the 29-year-old could crack Boston's rotation unless the team elected to move forward with a six-man rotation.
The veteran hurler has not pitched in a major league game since 2024, so easing him in by using him out of the bullpen could be the Red Sox's best option.
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