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Boston Red Sox pitcher Payton Tolle

The Boston Red Sox lost 4-0 to the New York Yankees at Fenway Park on Tuesday night. Boston has now been held to two runs or fewer in ten of their first 23 games. The bats have been a problem. Now the pitching depth has become one too.

Sonny Gray exited Monday’s win over the Tigers in the third inning with a right hamstring strain and was placed on the injured list Tuesday. Manager Alex Cora did not formally name a replacement, but the direction the Red Sox are heading is becoming clear.

All signs point toward Payton Tolle.

Will Tolle Replace Sonny Gray?

Triple-A Worcester manager Chad Tracy made the situation plain on Tuesday.

Tracy indicated there is a “pretty good likelihood” Tolle joins the Red Sox later this week. Tolle is not scheduled to pitch for Worcester this week.

The Red Sox have Ranger Suarez going Wednesday and Brayan Bello Thursday. The rotation opening is sitting there. Tolle is the most likely candidate to fill it.

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)

What Tolle Could Bring to the Red Sox Rotation

Early claimed the last rotation spot coming out of spring training, leaving Tolle to wait. That wait appears to be over soon.

In three Triple-A starts this season Tolle has posted a 3.00 ERA across 15 innings, striking out 19 batters. In spring training he was even sharper, carrying a 2.53 ERA over 10 2/3 innings. His MLB debut last season across seven outings produced a 6.06 ERA in 16 1/3 innings, a learning curve that came with genuine flashes of what he is capable of.

The development has continued this spring. Tolle spoke about what he has been adding to his arsenal.

“We know that big league Payton has to have those pitches, and the way that they’ve been going right now, I feel like just getting more feel for them. I feel like I’ve shown it in the past two games of getting the changeups in zone and it really giving hitters trouble.”

(Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images)BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 01: Payton Tolle #70 of the Boston Red Sox throws a pitch before a game against the Cleveland Guardians at Fenway Park on September 01, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images)

The Depth Crisis Behind the Decision

The push toward Tolle is not just about his readiness. It is about necessity. Boston’s pitching depth has been hit hard.

Johan Oviedo, who was expected to serve as a long reliever and spot starter, is out indefinitely with a strained right flexor. Patrick Sandoval and Kutter Crawford both had their rehab assignments paused.

Into that void steps Eduardo Rivera. The 22-year-old lefty was promoted from Double-A Portland to Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday, then immediately fast-tracked all the way to the majors following Boston’s loss to the Yankees that same night.

MLB Pipeline had not projected Rivera to reach the majors until next year. The Red Sox could not wait. Rivera dominated his first two Double-A starts this season, posting a .167 batting average against, a 1.67 FIP, and a 0.90 ERA. He has never pitched above Double-A in a regular season context, but he faced major league hitters while pitching for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic. The Red Sox are confident he can handle the moment.

Rivera will likely contribute out of the bullpen against the Yankees this week. Facing the Yankees for a debut is something Boston has done before with their best young talent.

Final Word for the Red Sox

Gray’s injury is a setback. For Tolle it could be an opening.

The Red Sox top prospect has been waiting for exactly this moment since losing the spring training rotation battle. The numbers at Triple-A are strong. Chad Tracy believes he will get the job.

The chance is there. Tolle just needs to take it.