Red Sox Get Encouraging Update on Injured Starter
The Boston Red Sox's stellar rotation has been put in a difficult spot with two key injuries right before the All-Star break.
First, it was Connelly Early who left his start one week ago against the Washington Nationals with left elbow discomfort. Early was placed on the 15-day IL shortly after the game but originally down-played the injury saying he is "not too concerned." The team is now awaiting further information from his second-opinion appointment with elbow-specialist Dr. Keith Meister.
Then on Sunday night, Ranger Suarez was forced out of his start against the Los Angeles Angels with groin tightness. Suarez, who had just been selected to the All-Star Game the day before, was still in some pain after the game and it was unclear whether he would also need a stint on the IL for a Boston rotation that was suddenly looking very thin.
The first update on Suarez came on Tuesday afternoon, when MassLive's Chris Cotillo reported that the Red Sox "remain hopeful" that the left-hander can avoid the IL, adding that they will monitor how he is feeling today before making a decision on the pitching plans for the weekend.
Red Sox remain hopeful Ranger Suarez can avoid the IL and they'll see how he feels today. As of now, they'll go Tolle/Bennett/Sandoval in Chicago. That lines up Gray for Friday night @ Mets. Saturday then in limbo with Tolle available for Sunday on regular rest.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) July 7, 2026
On Monday, the team officially activated Patrick Sandoval, who has completed a rehab assignment and is set to make his long-awaited Red Sox debut in Early's stead on Thursday for the series-finale against the Chicago White Sox.
The question now is whether Boston will have to recall another starter, most likely Brayan Bello, for Saturday against the New York Mets when Suarez is due up in the rotation. This option is not ideal, as Bello has been relatively unimpressive in his four minor league starts (4.34 ERA) since being demoted at the start of June.
It's important to note that earlier this year when Suarez suffered a hamstring injury, the Red Sox were able to reconfigure the rotation by pushing his next start back to avoid placing him on the injured list. While they will not be able to do the same thing this time around, the hope is that the day off on Monday provides enough cushion to get him back for the weekend.
If Suarez cannot make this start, the team will have to weigh the options of a Bello spot-start or a possible bullpen game for the penultimate contest of a very important stretch before the All-Star break.
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This story was originally published July 7, 2026 at 1:58 PM.