The rookie righthanders are 5-4 with a 4.24 earned run average over 18 starts this season. They’ve averaged 4⅔ innings in those games and the Sox are 9-9.
“We’re deeper than other years,” manager Alex Cora said before Thursday night’s game against the Rays. “You feel like in that spot, if something happens, somebody will be here and do the job.”
The roster flexibility helps, too.
Fitts started against the Rockies on Monday and earned his first career win then was optioned to Triple A Worcester the next day. That allowed the Sox to call up reliever Isaiah Campbell, who pitched two innings in Wednesday’s rout of the Rockies.
Get Starting Point
Now Dobbins will be activated off the injured list to face the Rays on Friday night. He has been out since June 21 with an elbow strain.
“We option Fitts knowing that Hunter was about to get healthy. So we can play that game,” Cora said. “That’s good for the organization, having capable options.”
Dobbins pitched five innings for Double A Portland on Saturday, allowing one run on two hits against New Hampshire and striking out eight.
“I’m ready to give [Cora] as many innings as he needs,” Dobbins said.
Beyond showing he can have success at the highest level; Dobbins has come to appreciate the challenge of pitching in the majors.
“In the minor leagues you’re focused on what you need to be better at, pitch shapes and things like that,” he said. “But you really learn how to pitch in the majors. Mentally I’ve grown a lot. You’re learning to pitch to a lineup and get outs, not just work on your slider or whatever else.”
With the Sox playing well in recent weeks, the focus is even sharper.
“It’s awesome,” Dobbins said. “The offense has been lights-out and starters have been great. Bullpen is holding it down. It’s fun to watch and I want to contribute.”
Dobbins will be facing the Rays for the first time.
Bregman close to a return
Cora expects Alex Bregman to return Friday or Saturday and play two of the three remaining three games. The third baseman has been on the injured list since May 23 with a strained right quad.
Bregman has missed 43 games but the Sox do not feel he needs any minor league games before returning.
Cora said the gap between the majors and Triple A is so wide that a few games won’t make much of a difference.
“So why not get them here?” he said. “We’re pretty sure we’re going to be OK … We’re going to trust the player.”
Tanner Houck has pitched in five minor league games since starting an injury rehab assignment on June 18. Cora said the Sox have not decided when the righthander will return or what role he will take “We have to make decisions,” the manager said. Houck was 0-3 with an 8.45 ERA in nine starts before being diagnosed with an elbow strain. He has not pitched as a reliever since 2022 … Quietly, righthander Jorge Alcalá has been dominant since being obtained from the Twins on June 11 after he was designated for assignment. He allowed one run on seven hits over 9⅓ innings in his first 10 appearances for Sox, walking two and striking out 10. Alcalá had averaged 97.2 m.p.h. with his fastball this season. “The velocity catches your attention but the breaking ball is good,” Cora said. “With us, he’s doing a good job of getting ahead of guys.” Alcalá allowed 24 earned runs over 24⅓ innings with Minnesota … The Rays acquired righthander Bryan Baker from the Orioles in exchange for a Competitive Balance Round A draft pick. Baker started the seventh in relief of starter Taj Bradley, who departed with a 3-1 lead after six innings. Baker gave up three runs on two hits and two walks, including a go-ahead 2-RBI single by Ceddanne Rafaela, before getting his first out. . . . The colors were presented by an honor guard from the famed 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment Company A based in Hyde Park … Brockton’s A.J. Dybantsa threw out the first pitch. The 6-foot-9 swingman was the top prep basketball prospect in the country last season and is headed to BYU.
Peter Abraham can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him @PeteAbe.