Fitts is expected to operate as Boston's bulk reliever behind opener Brennan Bernardino in Monday's series opener against Baltimore, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.
Fitts was called up from Triple-A Worcester on Thursday, and he has yet to appear in a contest since then. He has made 10 starts with the Red Sox this season, compiling a 4.83 ERA and 1.32 WHIP with 34 strikeouts over 41.0 innings, but Monday's outing will be his first out of the bullpen.
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Red Sox's Richard Fitts: Could start Monday
Rotowire
Fitts could be the favorite to start Monday's game against the Orioles at Camden Yards, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
Fitts initially looked set to work out of the bullpen when he was called up from Triple-A Worcester on Thursday, but the team now has a hole in its rotation after manager Alex Cora said Friday that the struggling Walker Buehler has been moved to a relief role. The Red Sox have made Fitts available out of the bullpen during their four-game series with the Yankees, but he hasn't been used in any of the first three contests. If the team stays away from Fitts in Sunday's series finale, the right-hander would likely become the logical choice to take the hill Monday. Kyle Harrison is another candidate if he was called up from Triple-A Worcester to fill the void in the rotation.
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Red Sox's Richard Fitts: Recalled from Triple-A
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The Red Sox recalled Fitts from Triple-A Worcester on Thursday.
Fitts has been used exclusively as a starter in the majors and minors this season, but the Red Sox will shift him to relief to see if his stuff might play up in shorter stints. The righty holds a 4.83 ERA and 34:13 K:BB over 41 innings during his time with Boston this season.
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Red Sox's Richard Fitts: Demoted after another rough start
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The Red Sox optioned Fitts to Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
Fitts lasted only four innings in Monday's loss to the Twins and has consistently struggled to pitch deep into games for Boston. The Red Sox have not revealed who will take Fitts' spot in the rotation, but it seems likely that it will be someone they acquire before Thursday's trade deadline.
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Red Sox's Richard Fitts: Struggles with control Monday
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Fitts didn't factor into the decision Monday against the Twins, allowing two runs on four hits and three walks in four innings. He struck out two.
Despite allowing seven players to reach base, Fitts was at least able to limit the damage Monday. The right-hander's three walks were one short of a season high, and he's hurled at least five innings just one time over his last seven starts. Fitts holds a shaky 4.83 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 34:13 K:BB over 41 innings, and his next turn in Boston's rotation projects for a tough home matchup versus the Astros this weekend.
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Red Sox's Richard Fitts: Chased early Tuesday
Rotowire
Fitts (1-4) took the loss Tuesday as the Red Sox fell 4-1 to the Phillies, surrendering four runs on six hits over 3.1 innings. He struck out four without walking a batter.
Solo homers by Max Kepler and Kyle Schwarber in the second inning put the game out of reach for Boston, as Cristopher Sanchez was busy tossing a 12-K complete game for Philly. Fitts has served up seven long balls in 17 innings over his five big-league appearances and 17 innings since the beginning of June, fueling a 7.41 ERA, but with Tanner Houck (elbow) shut back down indefinitely and Hunter Dobbins (knee) lost for the season, there's no obvious internal replacement for Fitts in the Red Sox's rotation. He's scheduled to make his next start on the road early next week in Minnesota.
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Red Sox's Richard Fitts: Back in Boston
Rotowire
The Red Sox recalled Fitts from Triple-A Worcester on Saturday.
With Hunter Dobbins (knee) set to miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL, Fitts will come up from the minors to fill the void on the pitching staff. The Red Sox haven't indicated whether Fitts will take over Dobbins' spot in the rotation, however, as Tanner Houck (elbow) could be ready to return from the 15-day injured list following the All-Star break and may get the nod ahead of Fitts. The 25-year-old has already made eight starts for Boston this season, posting a 4.28 ERA and 1.22 WHIP to go with a 28:10 K:BB through 33.2 innings.
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Red Sox's Richard Fitts: Tallies first big-league win
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Fitts (1-3) earned the win in Monday's game against the Rockies, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits and one walk across 5.2 frames. He struck out six.
The 25-year-old finally picked up his first MLB win in his 12th career start despite entering this contest with a solid 3.33 ERA across 48.2 big-league innings. The lone run Fitts allowed in this outing came on a Brenton Doyle RBI single in the second, as the Boston right-hander conceded only one extra-base hit -- a double to his final batter faced, Thairo Estrada. In 33.2 innings this season, Fitts has pitched to a 4.28 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 28:10 K:BB. He is currently scheduled to make his next start against the Rays at home this weekend.
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Red Sox's Richard Fitts: Makes weather-shortened start
Rotowire
Fitts struck out one and allowed one earned run on two hits and no walks in three innings in his start Tuesday against the Reds before the game was suspended in the top of the fourth inning due to inclement weather.
The two teams will resume the suspended game Wednesday before playing the series finale immediately after. The Red Sox were up 2-1 prior to the game being suspended, but because he didn't cover five innings and won't be asked to pitch again a day later, Fitts won't be in line for the win if Boston is able to maintain the lead for the rest of the contest. Assuming the Red Sox have Tanner Houck (elbow) make at least one more rehab start before activating him from the injured list, Fitts should be in line for at least one more turn through the rotation. Fitts' next start will likely come next Monday or Tuesday versus the Rockies at Fenway Park.
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Red Sox's Richard Fitts: Getting another start
Rotowire
Fitts is scheduled to make his next start Tuesday against the Reds at Fenway Park.
Fitts will get a second straight turn through the Boston rotation after he returned from Triple-A Worcester and struck out six while allowing two earned runs over four innings in a no-decision versus the Angels this past Wednesday. Though Fitts will make for a volatile streaming option due to his issues in reining in the long ball -- he's allowed seven home runs through 25 big-league innings this season -- he could put himself in position for a longer-term stay in the Boston rotation with a positive showing Tuesday. Tanner Houck (elbow) could be ready to return from the injured list shortly before the All-Star break to reclaim a starting role, but the struggling Walker Buehler (four home runs allowed, 8:14 K:BB over his last three starts) may be at greater risk than Fitts of losing his rotation spot.
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Red Sox's Richard Fitts: Fans six in no-decision
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Fitts came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 5-2 loss to the Angels, giving up two runs on four hits and a walk over four innings. He struck out six.
Making his first major-league start since June 2, Fitts once again had issues keeping the ball in the park, serving up back-to-back solo shots to Jo Adell and Travis d'Arnaud in the fourth inning before getting the hook after 83 pitches (58 strikes), including 15 swinging strikes. The six Ks were a season high, but the right-hander has now been taken deep seven times in his first 25 MLB innings this season, leading to a 4.68 ERA. Fitts' time in the rotation will likely end when Tanner Houck (elbow) or Hunter Dobbins (elbow) are ready to return, but for now he lines up to make his next start at home early next week against the Reds.
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Red Sox's Richard Fitts: Moves up from Triple-A
Rotowire
The Red Sox recalled Fitts from Triple-A Worcester on Sunday.
Fitts last pitched for Worcester on Tuesday and could be available out of the bullpen for Sunday's series finale in San Francisco if needed, but the Red Sox will most likely stay away from him so that he can join the rotation for the team's upcoming three-game series in Anaheim that begins Monday. He'll be a logical replacement in the rotation for Hunter Dobbins (elbow), who was placed on the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move. Fitts was sent to Triple-A after the Angels roughed him up for six runs (five earned) in one inning June 2 in his second outing back from a stint on the injured list due to a pectoral strain, but the right-hander was solid his last time out for Worcester, striking out three batters and allowing two hits and no walks over five scoreless innings.
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Red Sox's Richard Fitts: Activated, starting in Milwaukee
Rotowire
The Red Sox reinstated Fitts (pectoral) from the 15-day injured list, and he will start Tuesday's game against the Brewers.
The right-hander was originally expected to make his second minor-league rehab start Tuesday, but he'll instead re-enter Boston's rotation after a six-week absence due to a pectoral strain. Fitts threw 38 pitches across three innings during his lone rehab appearance, so he'll likely have some workload limitations in his first couple outings back in the majors. He made three starts prior to the injury and had a 3.18 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 13:5 K:BB over 17 innings.
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Red Sox's Richard Fitts: Set for second rehab start
Rotowire
Fitts (pectoral) is expected to make his next rehab start for Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.
Fitts made his first rehab start Thursday with Double-A Portland, throwing 38 pitches and completing three scoreless innings while allowing four hits with zero walks and two strikeouts. After a doubleheader this past weekend, the Red Sox don't have an existing starter on regular rest for Tuesday's game in Milwaukee, and the possibility exists that Fitts could return from the injured list to pitch in that game rather than reporting to Worcester. If so, that would likely be an abbreviated start, given Fitts' limited pitch count in his most recent outing with Portland.
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Red Sox's Richard Fitts: Rehab start could come next week
Rotowire
Fitts (pectoral) is away from the Red Sox due to a personal matter but could begin a rehab assignment late next week, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.
Fitts went on the 15-day injured list in early April with a right pectoral strain. Given the long layoff, he will likely require at least a couple rehab starts, and the hurler is a good bet to be optioned to Triple-A Worcester once his rehab is finished.
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Red Sox's Richard Fitts: Expected to face hitters soon
Rotowire
Fitts (pectoral) has been throwing up-and-down bullpen sessions and is expected to be cleared to face hitter soon, MLB.com reports.
Fitts is a month removed from landing on the 15-day injured list with a right pectoral strain and has progressed well lately. The right-hander will require a rehab assignment before being activated and might be optioned to Triple-A Worcester rather than rejoining the Red Sox.
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Red Sox's Richard Fitts: Resumes mound work
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Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Wednesday that Fitts (pectoral) will throw another bullpen session Thursday, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.
Fitts will throw off a mound for a second time since he landed on the 15-day injured list in mid-April with a right pectoral strain. He will eventually need to make a rehab start or two before being activated, at which point he will likely be optioned to Triple-A Worcester, as the Red Sox aren't expected to have a rotation spot available for him.
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Red Sox's Richard Fitts: Playing catch
Rotowire
Fitts (pectoral) played catch Sunday, MLB.com reports.
Fitts sustained a pectoral strain during a start against the White Sox on April 12. He had opened the season as part of the rotation due to injuries to projected starters. Brayan Bello returned from injury and pitched Tuesday, and Lucas Giolito (hamstring) is expected back May 1. That suggests Fitts will head back to the minors after his recovery.
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Red Sox's Richard Fitts: Lands on IL with pec strain
Rotowire
The Red Sox placed Fitts on the 15-day injured list Sunday due to a right pectoral strain, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
Fitts was removed from Saturday's 3-2 loss to the White Sox in the sixth inning when he experienced pain in his shoulder. The Red Sox haven't provided a timeline for his return, but given the nature of his injury, Fitts will likely need more than the minimum 15 days. Boston selected the contract of right-hander Michael Fulmer from Triple-A Worcester to provide some bullpen depth in the short term, but long reliever Josh Winckowski or Triple-A starters Cooper Criswell or Hunter Dobbins would appear to be the most likely candidates to fill Fitts' spot in the rotation.
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Red Sox's Richard Fitts: Exits with injury
Rotowire
Fitts was removed from Saturday's game against the White Sox due to right shoulder pain, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
Fitts had been cruising through his start Saturday, giving up just two hits and a walk while striking out five batters across five shutout frames. He came back out to start the sixth inning but only threw a couple of pitches before grabbing at his underarm/shoulder area. Fitts will return to Boston on Sunday to undergo an MRI on his shoulder to determine the severity of the injury, per Cotillo.
