As the Boston Red Sox prepared for the start of the regular season, attention during spring training centered heavily on the competition for the fifth spot in the starting rotation. Manager Alex Cora evaluated several options, including promising young arms Connelly Early and Payton Tolle, as well as veteran right-hander Johan Oviedo.
Oviedo had joined the organization during the offseason through a trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates. His performance throughout camp left something to be desired, however. As the exhibition schedule drew to a close, Cora ultimately chose Early for the No. 5 starter role, shifting Oviedo into a relief position within the bullpen.
The transition did not go smoothly for the 28-year-old pitcher. After a difficult beginning to his new assignment, Oviedo landed on the 15-day injured list last week. The team conducted medical evaluations, and following several days of awaiting test results, Cora provided an update on Wednesday ahead of the series finale against the Milwaukee Brewers.
According to Chris Cotillo of MassLive, Oviedo has a flexor strain and will be shut down for six weeks from throwing. Given his injury history and previous surgery, that is not as bad an outcome as it could have been.
Oviedo endured a particularly tough stretch toward the conclusion of spring training. He did not appear in the season-opening series against the Cincinnati Reds and then faced significant challenges in his lone outing against the Houston Astros on March 30.
In that relief appearance, he surrendered six hits and four earned runs across just 3.2 innings. He allowed two home runs, recorded three strikeouts, and threw 72 pitches before exiting.
Following that performance, Oviedo reported discomfort, prompting the team to proceed cautiously. The Red Sox organization, along with Cora, now hopes that a period of rest will allow sufficient healing over the coming six weeks. At this stage, the medical staff has successfully avoided recommending surgical intervention.
The flexor strain adds to an already growing list of concerns for Boston’s pitching staff early in the campaign. Just before the Brewers contest, the club placed another reliever, Justin Slaten, on the 15-day injured list due to an oblique strain. In response, Tyler Samaniego was called up from Triple-A Worcester to provide reinforcements.
These setbacks come at a challenging time for the bullpen, which has shown inconsistency through the first two weeks of the season. Depth will be thoroughly examined as the team navigates upcoming road series against the St. Louis Cardinals and Minnesota Twins following the Milwaukee homestand.
On the season, the Red Sox currently sit at 3-8, occupying last place in the American League East. The early struggles have placed additional pressure on the pitching unit, particularly with multiple key contributors now sidelined.
Cora and the front office will need to lean on their organizational depth in the weeks ahead. How the bullpen holds up without Oviedo and Slaten could prove pivotal in determining whether Boston can stabilize and improve its standing in a competitive division.
For now, the focus remains on careful management of Oviedo’s recovery to give him the best chance of returning stronger later this season.
