Alex Cora Teases Future Of Red Sox Rotation Upon Veteran’s Return

The Red Sox could welcome back a veteran pitcher next week, which means a tough decision for the rotation.

Lucas Giolito is scheduled to make another rehab appearance for Triple-A Worcester on Friday. Boston will reassess the pitcher’s hamstring injury to ensure there aren’t any setbacks for his season debut.

Sean Newcomb seems like the odd man out of the rotation once Giolito is activated, but the Red Sox could go with a six-man rotation like they teased before the season. Fans probably shouldn’t be optimistic about the idea, though.

“We won’t go to a (six)-man rotation, I guarantee you that,” Cora told reporters Thursday, per the Boston Herald’s Gabrielle Starr.

Newcomb became a surprise breakout in spring training and earned a spot on the Opening Day roster due to injuries to Brayan Bello and Giolito. The left-hander was decent in his first five starts. He recorded a 4.43 ERA in 22 1/3 innings, along with 27 strikeouts.

It was a nice story to have the Middleboro, Mass., native on the roster, but his time in Boston might be cut short once Giolito is activated off the injured list.