Red Sox Offseason Pickup Easing Concerns With Spring Performance

If spring training is any indication, Walker Buehler won’t be among the question marks in the Red Sox starting rotation when the regular season begins.

Boston took a flier on the longtime Dodgers pitcher this winter, signing the two-time All-Star to a one-year, prove-it deal. Buehler, who returned to Los Angeles late last season after (his second) Tommy John surgery, struggled during the regular season before pitching well in the playoffs en route to the Dodgers’ World Series victory.

Ultimately, he’ll be judged on how he gets big leaguers out on a regular basis starting March 27, but the early returns are encouraging. The 30-year-old had his most promising outing Tuesday in Tampa, Fla., where he pitched four good innings against the Yankees. Boston stretched out Buehler, who worked five efficient innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits with no walks. He also struck out four Yankees.

The sample size remains small, of course, but Buehler has now logged 10 innings this spring, allowing just two earned runs on seven hits with one walk while striking out a batter per inning. There was a grain of salt to be consumed entering Tuesday, as Buehler had largely faced lineups of minor leaguers unlikely to make their respective Opening Day rosters. However, the Yankees rolled out a batting order of regulars, including two-time MVP Aaron Judge, who Buehler froze with a dotted 94 mph two-seamer on the corner for a first-inning strikeout.

The right-hander topped out at 95 mph, consistently sitting at 94 with his fastballs. That velocity largely lines up with what Buehler has displayed in the past, both before and after surgery.

Given the uncertainty in the rotation entering the first series of the season in Texas, Buehler’s apparent dependability is welcomed. Boston manager Alex Cora has already tabbed the righty to start the third game of that three-game set with the Rangers behind Garrett Crochet and Tanner Houck. After that, there are question marks with Brayan Bello, Lucas Giolito and Kutter Crawford questionable to start the year on the roster.