The Boston Red Sox's fifth starter role is up for grabs, with a surprise twist according to Bleacher Report's latest predictions. While Johan Oviedo has been the front-runner in spring training, the report's Joel Reuter reveals a different story. Reuter's updated MLB rotation predictions on Tuesday placed Connelly Early as Boston's No. 5 starter, rather than Oviedo.
Reuter highlights an intriguing camp battle, with Oviedo, Early, and Payton Tolle competing for the role. Early's strong performance last September, earning a postseason start, and the Red Sox's strategic service time considerations, could be key factors in this unexpected turn. The report also mentions that Early and Tolle might be stashed in the minors for a certain number of games in 2026, but the team's history of prioritizing injured players over strategic plans adds an interesting dynamic.
This prediction comes as a surprise, especially considering The Athletic's Jen McCaffrey's prediction the day before that Oviedo would be the fifth starter. The Red Sox's rotation is a topic of much discussion, and this latest development will surely spark further debate among fans and analysts alike.
