Red Sox rotational notes: Alex Cora gives update on rotation depth as Red Sox face heavy start to season

Red Sox pitching prospect Richard Fitts impresses in final outing of spring – Blogging the Red Sox
Richard Fitts will battle for a roster spot this spring, Maddie Malhorta, Boston Red Sox

 

The Dodger's recently made some headlines by revealing they will not be starting the season with a six-man rotation, despite acknowledging the idea earlier this winter. Right now, Alex Cora and the Red Sox are playing around with the idea of a 6-man rotation. On Wednesday, Cora discussed this idea, as well as acknowledging the heavy early schedule the Sox are facing:

"The schedule is going to be heavy, we knew that early on," Cora said. "Whatever decision we make, we're going to have to reset it because we only have one off-day in the first 16 days or whatever."

To start the season, the Sox will play 20 games in 21 days, including a stretch of 15 games in a row. Kutter Crawford has yet to throw, and Bello just recently started to play catch. Of the 6 likely starters (Crochet, Buehler, Houck, Crawford, Bello, Giolito), only Buehler, Crochet, and Tanner Houck have thrown live batting practice. Giolito is scheduled for a live BP in the coming days, but has only thrown bullpens so far. 

Early last season, we saw how a lack of rotation depth really killed a strong start from the rotation. As the Sox saw Pivetta, Whitlock and Bello miss time in May. After a 15-11 April, the Sox put up a disappointing 12-16 May, as their team ERA jumped from 2.71 to 4.12. 

Cora is optimistic about the rotation depth this year, he said Wednesday; "We're going to be okay. We're going to be deeper than in previous years.We're going to have guys who had experience last year towards the end (in camp with us)"

RHP's Quinn Priester and Richard Fitts are the most likely guys to serve as AAA depth and provide spot starts in that first month. In 4 starts following his September call up, Fitts threw to a 1.74 ERA, albeit with a 3.31 FIP and 5.80 SIERA. He'll be valuable if one of the aforementioned six starters goes down with injury or needs a day off. 

On the final day of the season, Priester threw 5 innings of 1 run ball, topping at 96 with his Sinker. He's slated to start the Grapefruit League Opener on Saturday. 

Cora went on to note that Priester, Fitts, and Cooper Crisswell, who made 18 starts last year, will be in the mix, saying, "We'll take the best ones, understanding that all of them at one-point are going to impact the big-league roster." 

Through all that, Alex Cora did reiterate Garrett Whitlock, who has operated as a starter these past few seasons, will remain in the bullpen. 

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