RADIO
Johan Oviedo Starting the Year in the Bullpen in Boston
Boston Red Sox right-hander Johan Oviedo will begin the 2026 season in the bullpen, likely as a piggyback option for rookie left-hander Connelly Early in his first start of the year on Sunday versus the Cincinnati Reds, according to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com. The Red Sox will reassess the situation after a couple of turns through the starting rotation. Oviedo, 28, lost out on the No. 5 starting-rotation spot to Early despite going into his outing on Monday allowing only two earned runs while walking six and striking out 14 in 11 1/3 innings this spring over four Grapefruit League starts. The Cuban hurler then allowed six runs in 3 1/3 innings on Monday against the Minnesota Twins with diminished velocity on his pitches. Oviedo will surely make starts for the Red Sox in 2026 in his first year with the team, but he has some things to clean up first, and his opportunities could depend on how Early fares early on. Oviedo is merely an arm to stash in AL-only leagues at the moment.
Source: MassLive.com - Chris Cotillo
Source: MassLive.com - Chris Cotillo
