Overview
- Boston will open the season with both Connelly Early and Johan Oviedo on the 26-man roster as options for the No. 5 starter role.
- Early earned his spot with a strong spring, posting a 1.59 ERA with 16 strikeouts across 17 innings in camp.
- The club lined up Garrett Crochet for Opening Day in Cincinnati and Sonny Gray for Game 2, with the Sunday start likely going to Early or Oviedo.
- Ranger Suárez is scheduled to start next Monday in Houston and Brayan Bello on Tuesday, which could reduce the need to carry both rotation candidates.
- Carrying two starters costs a bullpen spot and coincided with four pitchers, including top prospect Payton Tolle, being optioned to Triple-A Worcester, a choice that also preserves service-time flexibility for Early if he later spends 35 days in the minors.