Red Sox pitcher makes shocking admission about Opening Day status originally appeared on NESN. Click here to add NESN as your preferred source.
Boston Red Sox pitcher John Oviedo has reportedly been the front-runner for the fifth and final spot in the team’s starting rotation multiple times during spring training.
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Oviedo made a surprising acknowledgment of his place in the lineup after making his final adjustments before Opening Day on Thursday.
“Oviedo said he doesn’t yet know if he’ll start in the majors this year or what role he’ll play if he does, but he’s encouraged by his health and ready to contribute early in the season,” Alex Spear of the Boston Globe posted in The Blue Sky .
In the Red Sox’s 9-6 loss to the Minnesota Twins on Monday, Oviedo allowed six runs (all earned) on six hits, two walk-offs and three strikeouts in 3 1/3 innings.
Defending AL Cy Young runner-up Garrett Crochet and three-time All-Star Sonny Gray are expected to open the regular season at the front of Boston’s starting rotation, with Brayan Bello and Ranger Suarez filling out the third and fourth spots.
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Mike Cerullo wrote after Monday’s game that Oviedo’s “next game will probably be Saturday,” the Red Sox’s third regular-season game against the Cincinnati Reds.
Cerullo said Oviedo’s performance against Minnesota capped off “an otherwise very successful spring.”
The 28-year-old ended spring training with a 4.91 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 17 strikeouts in 14 2/3 innings pitched (five starts).
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