On paper, the Boston Red Sox could very easily have the best rotation in the MLB this season. Offseason acquisitions of Ranger Suarez and Sonny Gray solidified the top of the rotation alongside ace Garrett Crochet, and Brayan Bello is projected to be the No. 4 starter for Alex Cora’s team in 2026.
The only spot that’s been under real debate heading into the season is the No. 5 slot in Boston’s rotation. With five guys pushing for the job — newly acquired Johan Oviedo, rookies Payton Tolle and Connelly Early, and veterans Kutter Crawford and Patrick Sandoval — a solution seems to have appeared.
According to Red Sox beat reporter Jen McCaffrey of “The Athletic,” Oviedo is the front runner for the role as of March 2.
Although Oviedo has plenty of talent and was poised to play a role for the Sox no matter what, it seems that it’s just been circumstance that has led to his likely spot as the No. 5 starter.
His two biggest competitors were Crawford and Sandoval, but, according to McCaffrey, both are likely to start the season on the injured list. Crawford is still recovering from wrist and knee surgeries and Sandoval from Tommy John surgery.
Oviedo in Line to Have Solidified Rotation Role
Now, saying that circumstance has led to Oviedo likely claiming the No. 5 starter role isn’t a knock on him, just an observation on where Boston’s pitching depth is at right now. Might Tolle or Early actually have better potential for this season? Yes, absolutely, but the Red Sox are planning for both of them to play big roles in the rotation for a long time in the future; better to let them develop in AAA for as long as possible, if they have the depth to afford it, which they do.
Oviedo was acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates back in early December, along with pitcher Tyler Samaniego and catcher Adonys Guzman. Boston sent prospects Jhostynxon “the password” Garcia and Jesus Travieso back to Pittsburgh in return.
Oviedo is an absolute freight train on the mound, coming in at 6-foot-6, 275 pounds; his extension off the mound is in the 98th percentile in the MLB. Injuries kept him off the mound in Pittsburgh in 2024 and most of 2025, though in his 40 innings last season, he had a 3.57 ERA and struck out 42 batters.
Boston takes a lot of pride in its ability to develop pitchers; lately, a lot of acquisitions have been guys who are seen as projects, but with Oviedo’s frame and talent, they believe they can turn him into an elite arm.
McCaffrey Projects Boston’s Opening Day Lineup
McCaffrey also projected the rest of the Red Sox opening day roster in her story. There aren’t many shocks in her projection, though a negative injury update on utility infielder Romy Gonzalez likely means both Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Andruw Monasterio will start the season with Boston on the bench.
Notable players who are likely to start the season in AAA are Kristian Campbell, Nate Eaton, Nick Sogard, and Mikey Romero.
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