The Boston Red Sox needed a win on Patriots Day, and they found one the hard way. The Tigers had pushed them to the brink across a draining series, and Monday’s game at Fenway Park was shaping up as another frustrating afternoon before the offense finally woke up late. Boston rallied for six runs over the final three innings to take an 8-6 victory and split the series.
The win came at a cost. Sonny Gray lasted just 2⅔ innings before leaving with right hamstring tightness, ending his afternoon well before anyone wanted. The bullpen carried the load from the third inning onward, with Boston cycling through arms to protect the lead once it finally arrived.
Now, with the New York Yankees arriving at Fenway Park for a three-game series starting Tuesday, Boston faces a rotation question that needs an answer fast.
Gray Headed to the IL
The Red Sox placed Gray on the 15-day injured list Tuesday, with an MRI scheduled to determine the extent of the damage. Manager Alex Cora addressed the situation after Monday’s win, offering measured optimism while acknowledging the uncertainty ahead.
“We don’t think it’s serious, but we have to see what’s going on,” Cora said.
The hamstring has been a recurring issue for the 36-year-old. The 2022 and 2024 seasons both included IL stints for the same issue, with recoveries that ran for a 2-3 weeks.
To cover the immediate gap, Boston called up lefty reliever Tyler Samaniego from Triple-A Worcester. Samaniego provides bullpen depth during what figures to be a taxing stretch, but he is not a rotation solution. Gray’s spot comes around again Saturday against the Orioles. Someone else will have to fill it.
GettyBOSTON, MA – APRIL 20: As manager Alex Cora #13 of the Boston Red Sox signals the bullpen for a pitcher, starting pitcher Sonny Gray #54 leaves the game with a trainer after being injured during the third inning against the Detroit Tigers at Fenway Park on April 20, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
Young Southpaw Emerges as the Frontrunner
All eyes are on Payton Tolle. Boston’s young prospect has looked sharp in Triple-A Worcester this season. Across three Worcester starts, Tolle has been difficult to square up. Five earned runs allowed and 19 strikeouts in 15 innings of work. The lefthander entered 2026 with a specific development mission: sharpen the secondary pitches that exposed him during his brief MLB debut last season. Three starts in, the early returns are encouraging.
The rotation picture around Tolle makes the decision more straightforward. Johan Oviedo, who had been competing for a rotation spot before the season began, is on the 60-day IL with a flexor strain. Kutter Crawford and Patrick Sandoval are both sidelined without clear return timelines.
GettyBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – AUGUST 29: Payton Tolle #70 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after a strikeout to end the first inning during his MLB debut against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Fenway Park on August 29, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images)
Another Option for the Red Sox
Tolle is the frontrunner, but Boston has another name worth considering. Fellow southpaw Jake Bennett, who arrived from Washington in exchange for Luis Perales, has been dominant at Triple-A this season.
His ERA sits at 0.55 with a 0.61 WHIP across four starts. Those numbers demand attention even if Tolle remains the preferred option.
Final Word for the Red Sox
Gray’s absence stings. He’s had a strong start in Boston. Losing him, even briefly, adds pressure to a group still finding its footing.
But the alternatives are real. Tolle is the frontrunner, with the talent and the preparation. Bennett has strong numbers to start the year. The Red Sox should have enough to cover the gap if everything holds together.
Gray has been through this before and come back. The rotation can, and will have to survive a few weeks without him.
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