Red Sox confident pitcher is healthy despite 2.5 mph decline in velocity
· Yahoo Sports
HOUSTON — Red Sox pitcher Johan Oviedo’s velocity was down significantly in his final spring training start.
The velocity drop remained in his first regular season appearance Monday after making the team as a long reliever.
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The 28-year-old righty gave up four runs, six hits (two homers) and one walk while striking out three over 3 ⅔ innings in Boston’s 8-1 loss to the Astros.
His 25 four-seam fastballs averaged 93.0 mph, 2.5 mph slower than his 95.5 mph fastball velocity average last season with the Pirates.
Spring training gameFour-seam fastballsaverage velocitymax velocityFeb. 25 vs. Twins1494.3 mph96.5 mphMarch 2 vs. Toronto1494.9 mph96.3 mphMarch 7 vs. Rays2295.7 mph97.8 mphMarch 13 vs. Rays2795.2 mph96.6 mphMarch 23 vs. Twins3292.9 mph94.8 mphThe 6-foot-6, 275-pounder, who Boston acquired in a trade with the Pirates during the offseason, has an injury history. He missed the entire 2024 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in December 2023. A right lat strain also delayed his return to the majors in 2025.
But manager Alex Cora said the Red Sox are positive Oviedo is healthy.
“We had a conversation with him today and there’s a few things that the pitching department has noticed,” Cora said before Tuesday’s game between Boston and Houston. “And just gotta keep working. That’s the most important thing. Obviously with his injuries in the past, something that we have to be very careful in this new role. But I think he’s gonna be OK.”
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Connelly Early has a claim to the final spot in the Red Sox rotation as of now as Boston decided to use Oviedo as a bulk reliever at least to begin the season.
“Yesterday wasn’t great for him, but I think it was a good opportunity for us just to see how it looks in that role and then go from there,” Cora said.
Cora said the Red Sox aim to keep Oviedo’s routine “as structured as possible” so there’s a plan for when he will pitch. But the plan could be interrupted if a starter goes short or the game goes into extra innings and Cora is forced to use Oviedo.
“For how structured we want to be, you gotta be flexible,” Cora said.
Oviedo has one minor league option remaining if the Red Sox eventually want to option him to Triple-A Worcester to get him on a structured starter schedule.
In his major league career, 67 of his 82 appearances have been starts. In the minors, 105 of his 110 outings were starts.
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