Red Sox's Payton Tolle: Joining Sox on Friday
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The Red Sox are expected to select Tolle's contract from Triple-A Worcester to start Friday's game against the Pirates, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.
After beginning the season at High-A Greenville, Tolle has breezed through the Red Sox's farm system while posting a 3.04 ERA and 0.99 WHIP over 91.2 total innings between three affiliates. With Richard Fitts sidelined with right arm neuritis, the 22-year-old Tolle will now get a chance to make his MLB debut during his first season as a professional ballplayer. He'll have a favorable matchup for his big-league debut at Fenway Park against a low-scoring Pirates offense that ranks 30th in baseball with a .657 OPS. His opponent on the mound, however, is more formidable. Pittsburgh ace and Cy Young candidate Paul Skenes will oppose Tolle. If the young lefty handles his first test in the majors well, he could be in line to make a few additional starts with Boston until Fitts returns.
