BOSTON — Rookie Payton Tolle will make another start for the Red Sox on Friday in Arizona vs. the Diamondbacks, manager Alex Cora said Tuesday.
The 22-year-old lefty made his MLB debut this past Friday against the Pirates here at Fenway Park, allowing two runs, three hits and two walks while striking out eight in 5 ⅓ innings.
Asked if Tolle will remain in the Red Sox starting rotation for the rest of the season, Cora said, “He’s going to pitch Friday and then we decide from there. But we see him as a starter.”
The Red Sox need to be careful with Tolle’s workload moving forward. He did not pitch on regular rest in the minors this season. He always received at least one extra day between starts.
He has combined for 97 innings this season between the minors and majors with 91 ½ innings coming in the minors.
“I think the innings are where they should be,” Cora said. “He hasn’t pitched in a regular rotation. So we have to take care of him.”
The Red Sox need a starter for Wednesday (tomorrow) against the Guardians because they are giving Tolle extra rest. Tolle’s spot again would come around next Wednesday, but he again is expected to receive extra rest if he remains in the rotation following his start Friday vs. the Diamondbacks.
Wednesday’s starter remains to be determined. Worcester starter Kyle Harrison remains an option to be called up from Triple-A Worcester to pitch, even if it’s out of the bullpen in long relief.
“We haven’t made a decision yet,” Cora said. “So we’ll see where we’re at after the game and then we’ll decide what we do tomorrow.”
Boston could use a normal five-man rotation that includes Tolle for the final 15 regular games remaining as the team has three off days (Sept. 11, 15, 22) mixed in.
Cora also announced Tuesday that Dustin May will pitch out of the bullpen this week.
“He’ll start again next week,” Cora said. “So we’re just moving pieces right now.”
May might be slotted into the rotation again next week when the Red Sox play the Athletics in Sacramento Sept. 8-10, although Cora added, “We’re here in the day-to-day business now. So we’ll take care of today.”
Cora said the decision to put May in the bullpen this week was based on wanting to stay on turn with the other starters.
“Tomorrow we might have a bullpen day and he’s part of it,” Cora said. “And then if he doesn’t pitch in the bullpen this week, it’s going to be 10 days in between starts. So we’re not going to do that to him.”
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